"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.
I came to you, when I needed a rest
You took my love, and put it to the test
I saw some things, that I never would have guessed
Feel like a railroad, I pulled a whole load behind
That old white line is friend of mine
And it's good time we've been making
Right now I'm rollin' down the open road
And the daylight will soon be breaking
I was adrift on a river of pride
It seemed like such a long easy ride
You were my raft but I let you slide
I've been down but I'm coming back up again
And I'm rollin' down the open road
Where the daylight will soon be breaking
Right now I'm thinking 'bout these things that I know
But it's good time that we've been making
You took my love, and put it to the test
I saw some things, that I never would have guessed
Feel like a railroad, I pulled a whole load behind
That old white line is friend of mine
And it's good time we've been making
Right now I'm rollin' down the open road
And the daylight will soon be breaking
I was adrift on a river of pride
It seemed like such a long easy ride
You were my raft but I let you slide
I've been down but I'm coming back up again
And I'm rollin' down the open road
Where the daylight will soon be breaking
Right now I'm thinking 'bout these things that I know
But it's good time that we've been making
Lyrics submitted by planetearth
White Line Lyrics as written by Neil Young
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Dusty Springfield
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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/
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Ed Sheeran
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Or both?