"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.
Valentino's got a bookie shop and what he takes
He gives for what he's got
And what he's got he says he has not
Stole from anyone
It's not that he don't tell the truth
Or even that he misspent his youth
It's just he holds the proof
But you know something's wrong
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Valentino's in a cold sweat, but he lost all his money on that last bet
Against all the odds he smokes another cigarette
Says it helps him to forget
He's a nervous wreck
It's not that he misses much
Or even that he lost his lucky touch
It's just he gambles so much
And you know that it's wrong
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting just to catch your eye
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Try to say I told you I told you
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting just to get you
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Just to say I told you
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Oh my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
He gives for what he's got
And what he's got he says he has not
Stole from anyone
It's not that he don't tell the truth
Or even that he misspent his youth
It's just he holds the proof
But you know something's wrong
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Valentino's in a cold sweat, but he lost all his money on that last bet
Against all the odds he smokes another cigarette
Says it helps him to forget
He's a nervous wreck
It's not that he misses much
Or even that he lost his lucky touch
It's just he gambles so much
And you know that it's wrong
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting just to catch your eye
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Try to say I told you I told you
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting just to get you
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Just to say I told you
Waiting for an alibi
Waiting for an alibi
Oh my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
I think it's about an actor who had a load of STD's, and eventually died from them, having had so much unprotected sex... he was quite young and this was in, like, the first half of the 20th century... pardon my ignorance on detail!