"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 woke up at four this morning, to whimper and to whine
to hear myself through spit and crackle of a poor long distance line
what clever ways to say i love you, words that always fail
hang up and light a cigarette, sit waiting for the mail
some flyers from department stores, another get rich plan
a bill or two, some shampoo, and a note from ed mcmahn
although you'll always be the one in who i will confide
sometimes you're the razor on my private water slide
by the way i got your letter yesterday
said theres no need to be said
said that some things will never ever change but some already had
and i've heard it from the corner of my ear how that voice makes things right
and i'm sure theres something more than memory across the maryland bridge tonight
now omnious, these undercurrents they crowd me now it seems
everytime i meet you in the darkness of my dremas
its likely that i'll turn around and parody myself
imagine we're in different places
pretend we're someone else
well, i can be j edgar hoover
you be JFK
as power hungry egocentrics we'll paperfight the nights away
sometimes you're my nemisis when i'm paranoid
sometimes i have doubts and worries too strong to avoid
by the way i got your letter yesterday
said theres no need to be said
said that some things will never ever change but some already had
and i've heard it from the corner of my ear how that voice makes things right
and i'm sure theres something more than memory across the maryland bridge tonight
maryland bridge tonight
to hear myself through spit and crackle of a poor long distance line
what clever ways to say i love you, words that always fail
hang up and light a cigarette, sit waiting for the mail
some flyers from department stores, another get rich plan
a bill or two, some shampoo, and a note from ed mcmahn
although you'll always be the one in who i will confide
sometimes you're the razor on my private water slide
by the way i got your letter yesterday
said theres no need to be said
said that some things will never ever change but some already had
and i've heard it from the corner of my ear how that voice makes things right
and i'm sure theres something more than memory across the maryland bridge tonight
now omnious, these undercurrents they crowd me now it seems
everytime i meet you in the darkness of my dremas
its likely that i'll turn around and parody myself
imagine we're in different places
pretend we're someone else
well, i can be j edgar hoover
you be JFK
as power hungry egocentrics we'll paperfight the nights away
sometimes you're my nemisis when i'm paranoid
sometimes i have doubts and worries too strong to avoid
by the way i got your letter yesterday
said theres no need to be said
said that some things will never ever change but some already had
and i've heard it from the corner of my ear how that voice makes things right
and i'm sure theres something more than memory across the maryland bridge tonight
maryland bridge tonight
Lyrics submitted by yraliar
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
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.
this is an amazing song, I love it! desperatly searching for John K's solo CD that this is on. If anyone knows how to get it, please post!