"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.
Here's a song from an open mind
I give it to you because I can
And if you're thinking that it's not that kind
It's 'cause my mood swings make me feel ashamed
It can pass the time
A girl with eyes that see a hundred years
Half remembered, this is my dream
Spinning out from where the hole appears
I've never seen her but I've got photographs
It can blow your mind
An idea falls from a porcelain sky
It won't make you rich and it won't get you high
Out of the void it comes
From an open mind
Out of the void it comes
It comes from my mind
I give it to you because I can
And if you're thinking that it's not that kind
It's 'cause my mood swings make me feel ashamed
It can pass the time
A girl with eyes that see a hundred years
Half remembered, this is my dream
Spinning out from where the hole appears
I've never seen her but I've got photographs
It can blow your mind
An idea falls from a porcelain sky
It won't make you rich and it won't get you high
Out of the void it comes
From an open mind
Out of the void it comes
It comes from my mind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Holiday
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@[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.
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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.
i think it is about an introvert person who can't speak to the woman he likes his only dream is to be (half remembered not even fully remembered ) ...he didn't see her in real life he just have pictures ....well it can pass the time !
I love this song, and all Blackfield songs.
There's something magical about the third verse, I just can't explain..
I agree about the 3rd verse with Fanta-1. Right after he sings it the song literally seems to lift you up into the sky where you look down upon your little world. Ultimately cool. I can't believe I didn't know this music until now.
cidman: same here haha. great song.