"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 fear the word career, in terms of time and actions.
It takes me so long, it took me so
Long to get to work, to get to,
A past B through C again, rush hour faces follow.
I've got something to lean on,
Behind these wicked doors.
I've something here.
Still all the grey statues are pressing near.
And sharp sand will strengthen foundations,
But the sea is so far away, now.
Stay young, stay fit, do your gym plan bit,
You at least try, but your figure won't show through the working clothes.
And sharp sand will strengthen foundations,
But the sea is so far away, now.
Stay young, stay fit, do the gym plan bit,
You at least try, but your figure won't show through the working clothes.
Got nothing to lean on,
No knock at these wicked doors.
Got nothing here.
Those cold grey statues press too near.
You give me something, but I, I, I...
You see we all pack our lunches, and then pack the trains.
You see there's loads and loads and loads of other people here,
Who have stayed up for hours and been dreaming like me,
Of field over concrete, and possibilities.
Carefully squeeze, knees to their elbows,
But don't Smile. No space for friends and on-board etiquette,
And politics, and sport and breasts. Flip the page for the rest.
A lustful wet and glinting eye. A smartly dressed by seedy side.
Yeah, I lack control, no I don't actually get much sleep.
You give me something, but I don't have to use it,
Even though there's this round the clock, round the clock medicine.
So fear the word career, scripted timetables and no free actions.
It takes so long to train the hands and brain, then catch the train,
And finally get to work. And it's just...
A time to be told and then see those rush hour faces follow.
I've got something to lean on,
Behind these wicked doors.
I've got somewhere here.
I've got somewhere... here.
You give me something, but I, I, I, I, I, I...
Yeah, I lack control, no I don't actually get much sleep.
You give me something, but I don't have to use it,
Even though there's this round the clock, round the clock medicine.
It takes me so long, it took me so
Long to get to work, to get to,
A past B through C again, rush hour faces follow.
I've got something to lean on,
Behind these wicked doors.
I've something here.
Still all the grey statues are pressing near.
And sharp sand will strengthen foundations,
But the sea is so far away, now.
Stay young, stay fit, do your gym plan bit,
You at least try, but your figure won't show through the working clothes.
And sharp sand will strengthen foundations,
But the sea is so far away, now.
Stay young, stay fit, do the gym plan bit,
You at least try, but your figure won't show through the working clothes.
Got nothing to lean on,
No knock at these wicked doors.
Got nothing here.
Those cold grey statues press too near.
You give me something, but I, I, I...
You see we all pack our lunches, and then pack the trains.
You see there's loads and loads and loads of other people here,
Who have stayed up for hours and been dreaming like me,
Of field over concrete, and possibilities.
Carefully squeeze, knees to their elbows,
But don't Smile. No space for friends and on-board etiquette,
And politics, and sport and breasts. Flip the page for the rest.
A lustful wet and glinting eye. A smartly dressed by seedy side.
Yeah, I lack control, no I don't actually get much sleep.
You give me something, but I don't have to use it,
Even though there's this round the clock, round the clock medicine.
So fear the word career, scripted timetables and no free actions.
It takes so long to train the hands and brain, then catch the train,
And finally get to work. And it's just...
A time to be told and then see those rush hour faces follow.
I've got something to lean on,
Behind these wicked doors.
I've got somewhere here.
I've got somewhere... here.
You give me something, but I, I, I, I, I, I...
Yeah, I lack control, no I don't actually get much sleep.
You give me something, but I don't have to use it,
Even though there's this round the clock, round the clock medicine.
Lyrics submitted by skacore_dude
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.