"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.
In the blizzard of '77
The cars were just lumps on the snow
And then later trippin at 7-11
The shelves were stretching out of control
On a plane ride
The more it shakes, the more I have to let go
And the signal's still getting all mixed up
We're always doing damage control.
But in the middle of the night I worry
Its blurry even without light
In the middle of the night I worry
Its blurry even without light.
I miss you more than I knew
I know I have got a negative edge
That's why I sharpen all the others a lot
Its like flowers or ladybugs
Pretty weeds or red beetles with dots.
But in the middle of the night I worry
Its blurry even without light
In the middle of the night I worry
Its blurry even without light.
I miss you more than I knew
I miss you more than I knew
I miss you more than I knew.
The cars were just lumps on the snow
And then later trippin at 7-11
The shelves were stretching out of control
On a plane ride
The more it shakes, the more I have to let go
And the signal's still getting all mixed up
We're always doing damage control.
But in the middle of the night I worry
Its blurry even without light
In the middle of the night I worry
Its blurry even without light.
I miss you more than I knew
I know I have got a negative edge
That's why I sharpen all the others a lot
Its like flowers or ladybugs
Pretty weeds or red beetles with dots.
But in the middle of the night I worry
Its blurry even without light
In the middle of the night I worry
Its blurry even without light.
I miss you more than I knew
I miss you more than I knew
I miss you more than I knew.
Lyrics submitted by thatfleetingworld
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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.
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
their best song. cryptic. succinct. heartbreaking. revelatory. amazing.
Damn good song!
Its like flowers or ladybugs Pretty weeds or red beetles with dots.
<3 i so love those lines
this is the best song they ever wrote.
easily one of my favorites...wonderful voice
My favourite lines are "And then later trippin at 7-11 The shelves were stretching out of control" Like, it just reminds me of late nights when you go to an actual 7-11 and you're making too much noise and goofing off, he captured it in a few words.
The few people who I have talked to about this song always interpret the lines "I miss you more than I knew" as being about a specific person.
It may be about someone, but I have always interpreted it as referring to youth. And they just personify Youth in the song. Like they are missing those times of their youth.
The song is great. My favorite line is the 7-11 couplet as well, for the same reasons, Carles.
I disagree Trainspotting. Nada Surf have wrote loads of great songs, and on the album Let Go, Killians Red is the best song in my opinion.
I do think that Blizzard of '77 is the best song on Let Go, with Paper Boats and Killian's Red coming pretty close though.
Why is it the best song on the album? Well, listening to Nada's early songs, you could tell that they had not found their niche in music. There is a review of Let Go (I think on WMP) stating that Let Go is an appropriate title, because they finally "let go" of any notions of trying to fit in and instead just make the music that they want. And Blizzard of '77 is the perfect example of that. They could not have opened with a better track. It sounded so different from most any other stuff they had come out with at that time. It was jsut amazing to hear.
"In the blizzard of '77 The cars were just lumps on the snow And then later trippin at 7-11 The shelves were stretching out of control"
I'm nearly certain that this references the actual blizzard of 1977 that happened in Canada and Buffalo, NY.