"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.
So, she says its time she goes
but wanted to be sure I know
she hopes we can be friends
I think yeah, I guess we can say I
but didn't think to ask her why
she blocked her eyes and drew the curtains
with knots I've got yet to untie
(Chorus)
what if I were Romeo in black jeans
what if I was Heathcliff, its no myth
maybe she's just looking for
someone to dance with
See, it was just too soon to tell
and looking for some parallel
can be an endless game
We said goodbye before hello
my secrets she will never know
and if I dig a hole to China
I'll catch the first junk to Soho
(Chorus)
Sometime from now you'll bow to pressure
some things in life you cannot measure by degrees
I'm between the poles and the equator
don't send no private investigator to find me please
'less he speaks Chinese
and can dance like Astaire overseas
(Chorus)
but wanted to be sure I know
she hopes we can be friends
I think yeah, I guess we can say I
but didn't think to ask her why
she blocked her eyes and drew the curtains
with knots I've got yet to untie
(Chorus)
what if I were Romeo in black jeans
what if I was Heathcliff, its no myth
maybe she's just looking for
someone to dance with
See, it was just too soon to tell
and looking for some parallel
can be an endless game
We said goodbye before hello
my secrets she will never know
and if I dig a hole to China
I'll catch the first junk to Soho
(Chorus)
Sometime from now you'll bow to pressure
some things in life you cannot measure by degrees
I'm between the poles and the equator
don't send no private investigator to find me please
'less he speaks Chinese
and can dance like Astaire overseas
(Chorus)
Lyrics submitted by manyamore
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
I love this song, it's been stuck in my head the past 2 days... And something caught my ear (and heart) that no-one has suggested that I've seen, but it strikes a chord with me, let's see what everyone else thinks...
The lyrics in the first verse "I think, yeah I guess we can say I..." I read it as " I think, yeah I guess we can say "I", as in he's trying to come to terms with the fact that He and he alone is the only person wondering why the shutout? Why not see if we COULD become like the great love stories, only better? I also think it's that pivotal moment in a breakup when you realize that there really is no "We" anymore... And you realize that obviously she must not think the same thing you do, otherwise there would be no break up.
And the next part "..but didn't think to ask her why she blocked her eyes and drew the curtains with knots I have yet to untie..." Why didn't he ask her why he was alone in this thought? Why is he the only one who thinks they CAN be together and they CAN be a great love story? He doesn't understand her train of thought and why she's so resistant to something that could be (in his mind) the greatest thing that's happened to them both? What if he WAS Romeo? What if he WAS Heathcliff and true love isn't just a myth? But maybe she just doesn't want to believe, she doesn't want something you have to try at... She just wants fun, and probably no strings... Just someone to dance with.
Anyways, just a thought. ^^