"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.
Jump, scrape, break the switches
Coast low wit da bitches
Funky pop, drop 'n hop
Here come the cops
Guero canelo
Gangs, guns, knives, thugs
Chumps, chops, chill, chug
Drink malt, smoke mota
I like you mucho
Dame un beso
Soma, valium, oxycontin
Reds, whites, speed, vicodin
T's, b's, thorazine
Screamers, pleasers
Guero canelo
Freak, tweek, week 2 week
Kneel, feel, seek the geek
Pump da bass in yo' face
Contrabasso
How low can you go?
Belladonna, mescaline
Psylocibin, peyote
Mda and dnt spells ecstasy
Guero canelo
Coil spring, bounce, crank
Pumps, shocks, struts, tanks
Psychoactive electroplade
It's necesito
Dame un beso
Impala, Caddy
El dorado, Comet
Galaxy, el Camino
Chevelle, Caprice
Monte Carlo
So low six fo'
How low can you go?
Tweezer, teaser, tiger weezer
Rusty, crusty, skuzzy skeezer
Chuy, chata, cholo, chico
Flaco, chucho
Only at pueblo
Molé y guero canelo
Guero canelo
Guero canelo
Coast low wit da bitches
Funky pop, drop 'n hop
Here come the cops
Guero canelo
Gangs, guns, knives, thugs
Chumps, chops, chill, chug
Drink malt, smoke mota
I like you mucho
Dame un beso
Soma, valium, oxycontin
Reds, whites, speed, vicodin
T's, b's, thorazine
Screamers, pleasers
Guero canelo
Freak, tweek, week 2 week
Kneel, feel, seek the geek
Pump da bass in yo' face
Contrabasso
How low can you go?
Belladonna, mescaline
Psylocibin, peyote
Mda and dnt spells ecstasy
Guero canelo
Coil spring, bounce, crank
Pumps, shocks, struts, tanks
Psychoactive electroplade
It's necesito
Dame un beso
Impala, Caddy
El dorado, Comet
Galaxy, el Camino
Chevelle, Caprice
Monte Carlo
So low six fo'
How low can you go?
Tweezer, teaser, tiger weezer
Rusty, crusty, skuzzy skeezer
Chuy, chata, cholo, chico
Flaco, chucho
Only at pueblo
Molé y guero canelo
Guero canelo
Guero canelo
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
El Guero Canelo is regarded as one of the best Mexican restaurants in Tucson and has been around for decades on the city's south side. This song is about Hispanic culture in Tucson, but also the Southwest. Lots of Chicano language and cultural references.
Guero Canalo is actually a highly regarded taco stand in southern Tucson. I think the song is actually about southern Tucson, the cities ghetto, which is known to have both drug and gang problems, as well as being the home of Guero Canalo.