"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.
Truth and honor faith and pride all convictions surely died honesties
Time has passed time for lies is here at last truth is false I'm so fed up
How did we come to be so fucked hate fear pain death all our country
Has got left
Talk to children hear them say daddy left again today brother steals and
Mommy lies future lost before their eyes the sun was lost behind the
Clouds they rapped it up and blacked it out acid rain fell today it came
And washed our hopes away
This was once the land of dreams now these dreams have turned to
Greed in the midst of all this wealth the poor are left to help themselves
A capitalist's democracy no one said that freedom's free lady liberty rots
Away no truth, no justice the American way
Don't look past your t.v. all of us are what you see a looking glass into
Our lives what we watch is what we buy priorities are out of whack
Who is next to stab our back doesn't it make you mad to have lost all that
We've had
This was once the land of dreams now these dreams have turned to
Greed in the midst of all this wealth the poor are left to help themselves
A capitalist's democracy no one said that freedom's free lady liberty rots
Away no truth, no justice the American way
Doesn't it fill you with disgust that there's no one left to trust is this
Happening is this real my body numb I cannot feel are you happy are you
Sad are emotions a thing of the past I have no tears I cannot cry no one
Mourns for a world that's died
This was once the land of dreams now these dreams have turned to
Greed in the midst of all this wealth the poor are left to help themselves
A capitalist's democracy no one said that freedom's free lady liberty rots
Away no truth, no justice the American way
Time has passed time for lies is here at last truth is false I'm so fed up
How did we come to be so fucked hate fear pain death all our country
Has got left
Talk to children hear them say daddy left again today brother steals and
Mommy lies future lost before their eyes the sun was lost behind the
Clouds they rapped it up and blacked it out acid rain fell today it came
And washed our hopes away
This was once the land of dreams now these dreams have turned to
Greed in the midst of all this wealth the poor are left to help themselves
A capitalist's democracy no one said that freedom's free lady liberty rots
Away no truth, no justice the American way
Don't look past your t.v. all of us are what you see a looking glass into
Our lives what we watch is what we buy priorities are out of whack
Who is next to stab our back doesn't it make you mad to have lost all that
We've had
This was once the land of dreams now these dreams have turned to
Greed in the midst of all this wealth the poor are left to help themselves
A capitalist's democracy no one said that freedom's free lady liberty rots
Away no truth, no justice the American way
Doesn't it fill you with disgust that there's no one left to trust is this
Happening is this real my body numb I cannot feel are you happy are you
Sad are emotions a thing of the past I have no tears I cannot cry no one
Mourns for a world that's died
This was once the land of dreams now these dreams have turned to
Greed in the midst of all this wealth the poor are left to help themselves
A capitalist's democracy no one said that freedom's free lady liberty rots
Away no truth, no justice the American way
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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/
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.
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.
my opinion---this is not the American way...the American way is the heroic fight on flight93"LET'S ROLL" and the bravery of all those who have given their lives for truth and honor, faith and pride---TRUTH AND JUSTICE THE AMERICAN WAY
This Song Is Fuckin Awesome
I enjoy this song alot. The lyrics are saying that people go out for war then it leaves families broken "mommy lies" when the daddy comes back he would struggle with PTSD and/or drinking/drugs and they may abuse their wives, but the wives lie about it. War is a horrific place, the TV would show people 1 side of the war, tearing families apart. Some warriors are heros....SOME. War makes people rich. Thats my 2 cents though.