"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
I sat down and wrote this letter
Telling you that I felt better
Since you'd gone and I was free
I'm so happy
I have so little time to spare now
I'm wanted almost everywhere now
I make out like Casanova
Friends are always coming over
Signed my name as if I meant it
Sealed it with a kiss and sent it
The letter had improved my mood
Happy in my solitude
But halfway home I changed my tune
And when I saw my lonely room
The mirror caught my eye
When I sit down I cry
Big lie small world
Big lie small world
I had to intercept that letter
Telling you that I was better
I raced to catch the postman's van
He was leaving as I ran
I miss the bus I miss the train
I end up walking in the rain
Big dog chased me down the street
I hadn't had a bite to eat
Feeling sorry for myself
Wishing I was someone else
I walked across the city
'Cause I couldn't stand your pity
Big lie small world
Big lie small world
The place you live looks opulent
And obviously a higher rent
Than our cozy little room
I had this sense of doom
The landlord says you're out of town
That your new boyfriend's always around
The hour was getting late
So I sit down and wait
Here's the postman with my letter
Coming down the path, he'd better
Give that thing to me
I have to make him see
Begging doesn't do the trick
He thinks that I'm a lunatic
And then who comes upon the scene
But your new boyfriend Mr. Clean
I hit the postman, hit your lover
Grabbed the letter ran for cover
The police arrived in time for tea
Said they'd like to question me
I can only curse my fate
I have to face the magistrate
It hasn't been the best of days
I'd like to fly away
Big lie small world
Big lie small world
Telling you that I felt better
Since you'd gone and I was free
I'm so happy
I have so little time to spare now
I'm wanted almost everywhere now
I make out like Casanova
Friends are always coming over
Signed my name as if I meant it
Sealed it with a kiss and sent it
The letter had improved my mood
Happy in my solitude
But halfway home I changed my tune
And when I saw my lonely room
The mirror caught my eye
When I sit down I cry
Big lie small world
Big lie small world
I had to intercept that letter
Telling you that I was better
I raced to catch the postman's van
He was leaving as I ran
I miss the bus I miss the train
I end up walking in the rain
Big dog chased me down the street
I hadn't had a bite to eat
Feeling sorry for myself
Wishing I was someone else
I walked across the city
'Cause I couldn't stand your pity
Big lie small world
Big lie small world
The place you live looks opulent
And obviously a higher rent
Than our cozy little room
I had this sense of doom
The landlord says you're out of town
That your new boyfriend's always around
The hour was getting late
So I sit down and wait
Here's the postman with my letter
Coming down the path, he'd better
Give that thing to me
I have to make him see
Begging doesn't do the trick
He thinks that I'm a lunatic
And then who comes upon the scene
But your new boyfriend Mr. Clean
I hit the postman, hit your lover
Grabbed the letter ran for cover
The police arrived in time for tea
Said they'd like to question me
I can only curse my fate
I have to face the magistrate
It hasn't been the best of days
I'd like to fly away
Big lie small world
Big lie small world
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Here's for you, Callie.
Tells me that I was forever beating my own time or you were doing it for me, Mr. Clean. Naturally that is merely a poetic analogy and not exactly an accurate one although you do have a knack for always coming out clean and unscathed in a rather miraculous manner! Gee... thanks. Don't mention it. I recall when I first read these lyrics I went racing through them, wondering if ... but, no.
That would be far too easy for a cerebral pair like you. You really shouldn't feel cheated. And let's face it--this was just another one of your clever attempts to manipulate your way around me and frankly, I just couldn't let you get away with such shenanigans. Think of me--the challenged teacher! Think of yourself--scared of your mailbox. I figured someone! could think past you!!! Not a chance, baby.
Love letter with spelling misteaks Lips in eclipse Maybe it will snow ...
I will bring you happy flowers from the mountains Bluebells, dark hazels and rustic baskets of kisses How you must have suffered getting accustomed to me! While the wind goes slaughtering butterflies I love you—and my happiness bites the plum of your mouth And you are sad, all at once, like a voyage Cling to me as though you were frightened In the moist night, my garment of kisses trembles
I remembered you with my clenched heart The book fell and my heart rolled like a hurt dog at my feet Let me come and be still in your silence, sad and gentle doll In my sky at twilight you are like a cloud And your form and color are the way I love them Woman with sweet lips … And as I love you, the pines in the wind Want to sing your tale with their leaves of wire
[paraphrased poetry]
I used to laugh every time I heard this song, but I suppose it just means be careful what you say because lies have a way of coming back on you.
I agree with DesertRose 98,<br /> <br /> but I also think this song is about the perils of indecisiveness.<br /> <br /> The narrator "changes his tune" midway through the song, and it leads him on a disheartening escapade <br /> <br /> missing the bus/train, assaulting a mailman/the lover, and eventually "facing the magistrate". <br /> <br /> I think the message of this song is to never be on the fence, to go through with something without having second thoughts.