"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.
Twas the night before Christmas
And up at the North Pole
Everybody's going crazy
Everything's out of control
The toy shop is on fire
The toys melting on the shelves
And you can hear Mrs. Claus screaming
I warned you never trust those elves
Unless something drastic happens fast
Say hello to the ghost of Christmas past
Because, Rudolph's puking boughs of holly
Old Saint Nick ain't all that jolly
And the sleigh's in the shop
'Cause it's broken down
But Christmas won't stop
'Cause Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Very much to his disliking
Santa spent all night hitch-hiking
With a sign that reads, ho ho slow down
Santa Claus is thumbing to town
Every car just drove right past him
And sped right out of sight
Santa never got to ask them
To drive around the world in just one night
So Kris Kringle started walkin'
Through the snow without his sleigh
Shed a tear for every stocking
That would be empty Christmas day
Unless something drastic happens fast
Say hello to the ghost of Christmas past
Because, Rudolph's puking boughs of holly
Old Saint Nick ain't all that jolly
And the sleigh's in the shop
'Cause it's broken down,
But Christmas won't stop
'Cause Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Very much to his disliking
Santa spent all night hitch-hiking
With a sign that reads, ho ho slow down
Santa Claus is thumbing to town
Santa Claus is thumbing to town
And up at the North Pole
Everybody's going crazy
Everything's out of control
The toy shop is on fire
The toys melting on the shelves
And you can hear Mrs. Claus screaming
I warned you never trust those elves
Unless something drastic happens fast
Say hello to the ghost of Christmas past
Because, Rudolph's puking boughs of holly
Old Saint Nick ain't all that jolly
And the sleigh's in the shop
'Cause it's broken down
But Christmas won't stop
'Cause Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Very much to his disliking
Santa spent all night hitch-hiking
With a sign that reads, ho ho slow down
Santa Claus is thumbing to town
Every car just drove right past him
And sped right out of sight
Santa never got to ask them
To drive around the world in just one night
So Kris Kringle started walkin'
Through the snow without his sleigh
Shed a tear for every stocking
That would be empty Christmas day
Unless something drastic happens fast
Say hello to the ghost of Christmas past
Because, Rudolph's puking boughs of holly
Old Saint Nick ain't all that jolly
And the sleigh's in the shop
'Cause it's broken down,
But Christmas won't stop
'Cause Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Santa Claus is thumbing to town, uh-oh
Very much to his disliking
Santa spent all night hitch-hiking
With a sign that reads, ho ho slow down
Santa Claus is thumbing to town
Santa Claus is thumbing to town
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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”
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/
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.
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.
NINTH, I'M THE NINTH!!!! YESSSSS!!!!! I like this song.... ALOT!!!!