"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.
Congratulate you
Said you had a double tongue
Balancing cake and bread
Say goodbye to a glitter girl
Talula
Talula
You don't want to lose her
She must be worth losing
If it is worth something
Talula
Talula
She's brand new now to you
Wrapped in your papoose
Your little Fig Newton
Say goodbye to the old world
Ran into the Henchman who severed
Anne Boleyn
He did it right quickly a merciful man
She said one plus one is two
But Henry said that it was three
So it was
Here I am
Talula
Talula
I don't want to lose it
It must be worth losing
If it is worth something
Talula
Talula
She's brand new now to you
Wrapped in your papoose
Your little Fig Newton
And Jamaica
Do you know what I have done
Mary M weaving on said
What you want is in the blood Senators
I got Big Bird on the fishing line
With a bit of a shout a bit of a shout
A bit of an angry snout
He's my favourite hooker of the whole bunch
And I know about his only Bride
And how the Russians die on the ice
I got my rape hat on
Honey but I always could accessorise
And I never cared too much for the money
But I know right now
That it's in God's hands
But I don't know who the Father is
Talula
Talula
I don't want to lose him
He must be worth losing
If it is worth something
Talula
Talula
He's brand new now to you
Wrapped in your papoose
Your little Fig Newton
Said you had a double tongue
Balancing cake and bread
Say goodbye to a glitter girl
Talula
Talula
You don't want to lose her
She must be worth losing
If it is worth something
Talula
Talula
She's brand new now to you
Wrapped in your papoose
Your little Fig Newton
Say goodbye to the old world
Ran into the Henchman who severed
Anne Boleyn
He did it right quickly a merciful man
She said one plus one is two
But Henry said that it was three
So it was
Here I am
Talula
Talula
I don't want to lose it
It must be worth losing
If it is worth something
Talula
Talula
She's brand new now to you
Wrapped in your papoose
Your little Fig Newton
And Jamaica
Do you know what I have done
Mary M weaving on said
What you want is in the blood Senators
I got Big Bird on the fishing line
With a bit of a shout a bit of a shout
A bit of an angry snout
He's my favourite hooker of the whole bunch
And I know about his only Bride
And how the Russians die on the ice
I got my rape hat on
Honey but I always could accessorise
And I never cared too much for the money
But I know right now
That it's in God's hands
But I don't know who the Father is
Talula
Talula
I don't want to lose him
He must be worth losing
If it is worth something
Talula
Talula
He's brand new now to you
Wrapped in your papoose
Your little Fig Newton
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
does anyone else think this song could be about a pregnancy? specifically a miscarrage? lines like 'I don't want to lose her' and 'I know right now honey that it's in god's hands, but I don't know who the father is' make me think that. also the reference of being wrapped in a papoose. in her book i think she said she was lost a baby during the making of this album. anyone agree/disagree?