"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.
well she wakes up every morning
to the sound of sarah records
on a compilation tape
her friend had sent to her from paris
well it's not to say she didn't like
the college station
but her days left in this town
were counting down to graduation
she said hey hey hey
with less than three weeks to go
she tried to justify the goth scene
but the relevance was low
and she said hey hey hey
won't you listen to me
well you can keep the punk rock
ska rap beats and house
fuck me i'm twee
she packed her little teddy totebag
saved some tickets for herself
picked out her favorite lucksmiths single
took the Cher Doll off the shelf
she grabbed her slumberland guitar case
and her 14 iced bears ring
took down her IFOJ poster
and 'the band who would be king'
and she said hey hey hey
I'm taking 2nd to steal
you know you won't meet barker's beauties
unless you learn to spin the wheel
and she said hey hey hey
won't you listen to me
well you can keep the punk rock
ska rap beats and house
fuck me i'm twee
she said i may not beat my sister
at this stupid game of uno
but at least i know the difference
between a boscoe and a bruno
sick of stickin' around just like those magnets on the fridge
but when i finally leave this town
please don't throw aggi from the bridge
she said hey hey hey
there's just one thing i know
you'll find more posies in the used bin
than there are people at the show
and she said hey hey hey
won't you listen to me
well you can keep the punk rock
ska rap beats and house
fuck me i'm twee
to the sound of sarah records
on a compilation tape
her friend had sent to her from paris
well it's not to say she didn't like
the college station
but her days left in this town
were counting down to graduation
she said hey hey hey
with less than three weeks to go
she tried to justify the goth scene
but the relevance was low
and she said hey hey hey
won't you listen to me
well you can keep the punk rock
ska rap beats and house
fuck me i'm twee
she packed her little teddy totebag
saved some tickets for herself
picked out her favorite lucksmiths single
took the Cher Doll off the shelf
she grabbed her slumberland guitar case
and her 14 iced bears ring
took down her IFOJ poster
and 'the band who would be king'
and she said hey hey hey
I'm taking 2nd to steal
you know you won't meet barker's beauties
unless you learn to spin the wheel
and she said hey hey hey
won't you listen to me
well you can keep the punk rock
ska rap beats and house
fuck me i'm twee
she said i may not beat my sister
at this stupid game of uno
but at least i know the difference
between a boscoe and a bruno
sick of stickin' around just like those magnets on the fridge
but when i finally leave this town
please don't throw aggi from the bridge
she said hey hey hey
there's just one thing i know
you'll find more posies in the used bin
than there are people at the show
and she said hey hey hey
won't you listen to me
well you can keep the punk rock
ska rap beats and house
fuck me i'm twee
Lyrics submitted by BIGFONTSAVANT
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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,
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Oh, Tullycraft is just good times. I love really jangly pop-culture infused pop music, and that's exactly what they are. Hell if I know what any of their songs mean, except maybe...yeah, I don't know. It's just sweet music.