"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.
Gravity plays favorites I know it 'cause I saw
Honest to God, officer it's awful
Down at work I'm getting too familiar with the floor
Showing off my talents by the mouthful
Hate to break it to you but its out of my control
Forces go to work while we are sleeping
If I could attack with a more sensible approach
Obviously that's what I'd be doing
Now, necks are cracking sideways
Hit me from the back side
I am on the white side
You are on the black side
Cut a piece that's bite size
Shoot me from my good side
If you got a straight line
This would be a good time
Gravity works slowly if you notice it at all
Some of us are getting mighty lucky
If you had to live with this you'd rather lie than fall
You think I can't fly well you just watch me
Now, necks are cracking sideways
Hit me from the back side
I am on the thin side
You are on the fat side
Cut a piece that's bite size
Shoot me from my bad side
If you got a straight line
This would be a good time
The sky is always falling down on me
So officer forgive me please
Honest to God, officer it's awful
Down at work I'm getting too familiar with the floor
Showing off my talents by the mouthful
Hate to break it to you but its out of my control
Forces go to work while we are sleeping
If I could attack with a more sensible approach
Obviously that's what I'd be doing
Now, necks are cracking sideways
Hit me from the back side
I am on the white side
You are on the black side
Cut a piece that's bite size
Shoot me from my good side
If you got a straight line
This would be a good time
Gravity works slowly if you notice it at all
Some of us are getting mighty lucky
If you had to live with this you'd rather lie than fall
You think I can't fly well you just watch me
Now, necks are cracking sideways
Hit me from the back side
I am on the thin side
You are on the fat side
Cut a piece that's bite size
Shoot me from my bad side
If you got a straight line
This would be a good time
The sky is always falling down on me
So officer forgive me please
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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
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”
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/
I honestly thought this was about drunk driving. And the part where everyone thinks she's referencing a blow job I simply thought she was talking about drinking alcohol. Maybe it's just because i'm an alcoholic and i've seen this happen to my friends before as well, but I certainly feel that I traded in a lot of time, and talent just to drink a part of my life away. And shoot me from my good side, I thought she meant when they take your picture when they put you in the drunk tank. Which i've also experienced, unfortunately. And even the part where she says forces go to work while we are sleeping, I thought she was referring to blacking out because when you blackout you can't remember what you did.