"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.
Ooh, ooh
Ah, yeah, yeah
Every now and then
I seem to get this funny feelin'
When it comes to me and you
Can't say how or when
But your love keeps takin' over
And I don't know what to do
Well, I think that you oughta let me know what
What you're gonna do, oh baby
'Cause time's wasting, baby, much too fast and
I need to know if it's true
So baby, let me know
Baby, let me know if you want me
I really wanna know if you want me
And baby, if you don't tell me something
I gotta move on
'Cause everybody need a little lovin'
And you're the only one that I wanna be with
I'm sorry if you don't tell me something
But I gotta move on
Baby, understand
Oh, I need more than conversation
I need action from a man, oh
'Cause I'll do all I can
To keep our love from going under
Now it's time you take a stand, oh
And I think that you oughta let me know what
What you're gonna do, you're gonna do, yeah
'Cause time's wasting, baby much too fast and
I need to know if it's true
So baby, let me know
Baby, let me know if you want me
I really wanna know if you want me
And baby, if you don't tell me something
I gotta move on
'Cause everybody need a little lovin'
And you're the only one that I wanna be with
I'm sorry if you don't tell me something
But I gotta move on
Baby, let me know if you want me
I really wanna know if you want me
And baby, if you don't tell me something
I gotta move, I gotta move
'Cause everybody need a little lovin'
And you're the only one that I wanna be with
I'm sorry if you don't tell me something
I gotta move on, yeah, yeah
And I gotta move
Move on
Gotta move
Well, I gotta move
Move on
Gotta move, move on
Baby, let me know if you want me
I really wanna know if you want me
And baby, if you don't tell me something
I gotta move on, now tell me
'Cause everybody need a little lovin'
And you're the only one that I wanna be with
I'm sorry if you don't tell me something
But I gotta move on, move on
Baby, let me know if you want me
I really wanna know if you want me
And baby, if you don't tell me something
I gotta move on, baby
'Cause everybody need a little lovin'
And you're the only one that I wanna be with
I'm sorry if you don't tell me something
But I gotta move, move on
Baby, let me know if you want me
I really wanna know if you want me
And baby, if you don't tell me something
I gotta move on, yeah
'Cause everybody need a little lovin'
And you're the only one that I wanna be with
I'm sorry if you don't tell me something
Baby, you're the only one that I wanna be with
Baby, let me know if you want me
I really wanna know if you want me
'Cause everybody need a little lovin'
And you're the only one that I wanna be with
(Move on, gotta move)
Baby, let me know if you want me (well, I gotta move)
I really wanna know if you want me (move on)
Ah, yeah, yeah
Every now and then
I seem to get this funny feelin'
When it comes to me and you
Can't say how or when
But your love keeps takin' over
And I don't know what to do
Well, I think that you oughta let me know what
What you're gonna do, oh baby
'Cause time's wasting, baby, much too fast and
I need to know if it's true
So baby, let me know
Baby, let me know if you want me
I really wanna know if you want me
And baby, if you don't tell me something
I gotta move on
'Cause everybody need a little lovin'
And you're the only one that I wanna be with
I'm sorry if you don't tell me something
But I gotta move on
Baby, understand
Oh, I need more than conversation
I need action from a man, oh
'Cause I'll do all I can
To keep our love from going under
Now it's time you take a stand, oh
And I think that you oughta let me know what
What you're gonna do, you're gonna do, yeah
'Cause time's wasting, baby much too fast and
I need to know if it's true
So baby, let me know
Baby, let me know if you want me
I really wanna know if you want me
And baby, if you don't tell me something
I gotta move on
'Cause everybody need a little lovin'
And you're the only one that I wanna be with
I'm sorry if you don't tell me something
But I gotta move on
Baby, let me know if you want me
I really wanna know if you want me
And baby, if you don't tell me something
I gotta move, I gotta move
'Cause everybody need a little lovin'
And you're the only one that I wanna be with
I'm sorry if you don't tell me something
I gotta move on, yeah, yeah
And I gotta move
Move on
Gotta move
Well, I gotta move
Move on
Gotta move, move on
Baby, let me know if you want me
I really wanna know if you want me
And baby, if you don't tell me something
I gotta move on, now tell me
'Cause everybody need a little lovin'
And you're the only one that I wanna be with
I'm sorry if you don't tell me something
But I gotta move on, move on
Baby, let me know if you want me
I really wanna know if you want me
And baby, if you don't tell me something
I gotta move on, baby
'Cause everybody need a little lovin'
And you're the only one that I wanna be with
I'm sorry if you don't tell me something
But I gotta move, move on
Baby, let me know if you want me
I really wanna know if you want me
And baby, if you don't tell me something
I gotta move on, yeah
'Cause everybody need a little lovin'
And you're the only one that I wanna be with
I'm sorry if you don't tell me something
Baby, you're the only one that I wanna be with
Baby, let me know if you want me
I really wanna know if you want me
'Cause everybody need a little lovin'
And you're the only one that I wanna be with
(Move on, gotta move)
Baby, let me know if you want me (well, I gotta move)
I really wanna know if you want me (move on)
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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,
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/
a
i think this about a guy who has been giving her mixed signals on what he wants from her, so she's saying if you want to be with me let me know, or im out! LOL