"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.
Rock on, come on, come on
Come on, come on, come on
Chillin' at the club
Showing niggas how we ball
Ever since the drought
It's been nothing but the trump
Can you really blame me for getting these G's
Something I don't understand
Why you fools after me, VIP
Got the haters after me
'cause I push these V's
They want to be like me
If you agree
Then raise the roof with me
In the party place to be
Living VIP
Since when did money, oh
Become such a problem
I just want to live a life
That only involve the numbers, yeah
Can you really blame me for getting these G's
See what I can't understand
Why you fools don't rock with me, VIP
I got the haters after me
Because I push these V's
They want to be like me
If you agree (If you agree)
Then raise the roof with me (Raise the roof with me)
In the party place to be (In the party place to be)
Living VIP
Ha ha, nothing but the
Stretch Bentleys with the top that's drop, that's right
Kelly CD's with the sound that knocks
When the party rocks
Fingers to the wrist filled with nothing but rocks
I know you haters want to come to Rockland's party
But you can't get in unless you VIP
Can you really blame me for getting these G's
See what I can't understand
Why you fools are after me, livin' V
So if you're ballin' and you know, raise your hands
And if you sexy and you know it, stomp your feet
And if your man ain't spendin' money on you
Then ladies, you can come and get with me
A little V
Yo, uh huh, wish I could call up all the haters
I mean, I wish I could make a phone call
To all the haters around the world
You know what I'm saying?
This is what I'd say
What's goin' on in the world today, huh?
Seems like every nigga got beef 'cause they ain't got steak
When I ain't had no money see, everything was cool
But now that I got a little money and y'all want to act a fool
And none of 'em VIP
VIP, I got the haters after me
Because I push these V's (What?)
They want to be like me (Raise the roof, y'all)
If you agree (Now let's lock)
And raise the roof with me
(Over this here's, just bring it on)
In the party place (Uh, Rockland)
To be living VIP, VIP
I got the haters after me
Because I push these V's
They want to be like me
(Wanna be a)
Come on, come on, come on
Chillin' at the club
Showing niggas how we ball
Ever since the drought
It's been nothing but the trump
Can you really blame me for getting these G's
Something I don't understand
Why you fools after me, VIP
Got the haters after me
'cause I push these V's
They want to be like me
If you agree
Then raise the roof with me
In the party place to be
Living VIP
Since when did money, oh
Become such a problem
I just want to live a life
That only involve the numbers, yeah
Can you really blame me for getting these G's
See what I can't understand
Why you fools don't rock with me, VIP
I got the haters after me
Because I push these V's
They want to be like me
If you agree (If you agree)
Then raise the roof with me (Raise the roof with me)
In the party place to be (In the party place to be)
Living VIP
Ha ha, nothing but the
Stretch Bentleys with the top that's drop, that's right
Kelly CD's with the sound that knocks
When the party rocks
Fingers to the wrist filled with nothing but rocks
I know you haters want to come to Rockland's party
But you can't get in unless you VIP
Can you really blame me for getting these G's
See what I can't understand
Why you fools are after me, livin' V
So if you're ballin' and you know, raise your hands
And if you sexy and you know it, stomp your feet
And if your man ain't spendin' money on you
Then ladies, you can come and get with me
A little V
Yo, uh huh, wish I could call up all the haters
I mean, I wish I could make a phone call
To all the haters around the world
You know what I'm saying?
This is what I'd say
What's goin' on in the world today, huh?
Seems like every nigga got beef 'cause they ain't got steak
When I ain't had no money see, everything was cool
But now that I got a little money and y'all want to act a fool
And none of 'em VIP
VIP, I got the haters after me
Because I push these V's (What?)
They want to be like me (Raise the roof, y'all)
If you agree (Now let's lock)
And raise the roof with me
(Over this here's, just bring it on)
In the party place (Uh, Rockland)
To be living VIP, VIP
I got the haters after me
Because I push these V's
They want to be like me
(Wanna be a)
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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.
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/
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.