"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.
Girl I've been watchin you
For a very long time (mmmm)
And there's no doubt in my mind
That your not the one for me can't you see
And I don't want to seem pushy
But listen, girl, your body sayin'
Something to me, girl
I may be only 15
But that don't really mean that I can't
Be here talkin' to you
[Chorus]
Will you let me know if you want me
To treat you to a picture show
(Don't you say no tonight)
And I want to know if you'll
Let me kiss you one time
Before I take you home
(The suspense is killing me, girl)
What yo name is can I be
The only one you be claimin'
What yo name is when you be out
With your girls you be bangin'
What yo name is can I be
The only one that you be kickin' it wit
What yo name is girl
Cause I know when I be spittin'
You be wit it, girl, what your name is (yeah)
Girl, all your friends may say
That I'm to young for you (yes they do)
But, baby, age ain't a thang
Cause I know what to do (yes I do)
I'll be your friend
And when your all alone
I talk to you all night
Til we fall asleep on the phone
So, baby, quit playin' games
You know I'm feelin' you,
You know you got it that way, girl
Will you let me know if you want
Me to treat you to a picture show
(Don't you say no tonight)
And I want to know if you'll let me
Kiss you one time
Before I take you home
(The suspense is killing me, girl)
What yo name is can I be
The only one you be claimin'
What yo name is when you be out
With your girls you be bangin'
What yo name is can I be
The only one that you be kickin' it wit
What yo name is, girl
Cause I know when I be spittin'
You be wit it, girl, what your name is (yeah)
Oh, girl, tell all your friends to go away
So far far away
Cause I want to spend my time with you
I want to chill with you,
Roll with you,
Be with you,
Forever and ever and ever and ever and ever
(ah yeah)
What yo name is can I be
The only one that you be claimin'
(This don't make no sense girl)
What yo name is when you be out
Wit your girls you be bangin'
(I need to know right now)
What yo name is can I be
The only one that you be kickin' it wit
(You know I'll be you know I'll be)
What yo name is girl cause I know
When I be spittin' you be wit it, girl
What yo name is (yeah)
Can I be
I gotta know girl
Said I gotta know
Said I gotta know
I want to be wit you
Share my world with you, girl
Don't be afraid
Ignore my age cause
I'm just the man for you, baby (yeah)
[Chorus]
Would you tell me let me know it before I go
Would you tell me let me know it before I go
Would you tell me let me know it before I go
Would you tell me let me know it before I go
Before this track go off
Would you tell me let me know it before I go
would you tell me let me know it before I go
would you tell me let me know it before I go
would you tell me let me know it before I go
What yo name is
For a very long time (mmmm)
And there's no doubt in my mind
That your not the one for me can't you see
And I don't want to seem pushy
But listen, girl, your body sayin'
Something to me, girl
I may be only 15
But that don't really mean that I can't
Be here talkin' to you
[Chorus]
Will you let me know if you want me
To treat you to a picture show
(Don't you say no tonight)
And I want to know if you'll
Let me kiss you one time
Before I take you home
(The suspense is killing me, girl)
What yo name is can I be
The only one you be claimin'
What yo name is when you be out
With your girls you be bangin'
What yo name is can I be
The only one that you be kickin' it wit
What yo name is girl
Cause I know when I be spittin'
You be wit it, girl, what your name is (yeah)
Girl, all your friends may say
That I'm to young for you (yes they do)
But, baby, age ain't a thang
Cause I know what to do (yes I do)
I'll be your friend
And when your all alone
I talk to you all night
Til we fall asleep on the phone
So, baby, quit playin' games
You know I'm feelin' you,
You know you got it that way, girl
Will you let me know if you want
Me to treat you to a picture show
(Don't you say no tonight)
And I want to know if you'll let me
Kiss you one time
Before I take you home
(The suspense is killing me, girl)
What yo name is can I be
The only one you be claimin'
What yo name is when you be out
With your girls you be bangin'
What yo name is can I be
The only one that you be kickin' it wit
What yo name is, girl
Cause I know when I be spittin'
You be wit it, girl, what your name is (yeah)
Oh, girl, tell all your friends to go away
So far far away
Cause I want to spend my time with you
I want to chill with you,
Roll with you,
Be with you,
Forever and ever and ever and ever and ever
(ah yeah)
What yo name is can I be
The only one that you be claimin'
(This don't make no sense girl)
What yo name is when you be out
Wit your girls you be bangin'
(I need to know right now)
What yo name is can I be
The only one that you be kickin' it wit
(You know I'll be you know I'll be)
What yo name is girl cause I know
When I be spittin' you be wit it, girl
What yo name is (yeah)
Can I be
I gotta know girl
Said I gotta know
Said I gotta know
I want to be wit you
Share my world with you, girl
Don't be afraid
Ignore my age cause
I'm just the man for you, baby (yeah)
[Chorus]
Would you tell me let me know it before I go
Would you tell me let me know it before I go
Would you tell me let me know it before I go
Would you tell me let me know it before I go
Before this track go off
Would you tell me let me know it before I go
would you tell me let me know it before I go
would you tell me let me know it before I go
would you tell me let me know it before I go
What yo name is
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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/
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.
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.