"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.
Embrace the silence, and listen to me.
Our time is short, and my words are pure.
For every song the angel sing
and every leaf that falls
I will be thinking of you
and I'll blow you a kiss
I used to dream of the blue in your eyes
now my dreams are color blind.
Clenching my fist, to crush this pain.
It's always the hate in my smile that devours me. Transcending down, far beneath my means.
A final breath of you to keep with me.
Infantile tears, are melting the morning snow.
Never forget to smile, as you look upon this world. Somewhere I'll remain alone,
thinking of the morning past.
Our time is short, and my words are pure.
For every song the angel sing
and every leaf that falls
I will be thinking of you
and I'll blow you a kiss
I used to dream of the blue in your eyes
now my dreams are color blind.
Clenching my fist, to crush this pain.
It's always the hate in my smile that devours me. Transcending down, far beneath my means.
A final breath of you to keep with me.
Infantile tears, are melting the morning snow.
Never forget to smile, as you look upon this world. Somewhere I'll remain alone,
thinking of the morning past.
Lyrics submitted by delta-9-THC
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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/
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.