"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.
Imagine goin' to another world
Where everyone could see your thoughts
We could never lie to anyone
So I close my eyes to share
I can see everything
You've never spoke about
Now I know how come you're down
I will be there for you
Don't be afraid to ask
I'll give you my word
Naked for the world to see
As you stand in front of me, yes you are
Naked for the world to see
All secrets disappear
So let's imagine, naked for the world to see
Imagine, standing here in front of me
Imagine, no one else but you and me
Imagine, to enjoy reality
Come on follow me, yes this way
It will feel like being there you'll see
Let your mind fly here we're safe
It's all so very clear
I want to stay right here
With the golden silence
Touching us within
We can create this world
It's up to us to do it
There's nothing to fear
Naked for the world to see
As you stand in front of me, yes you are
Naked for the world to see
All secrets disappear
So let's imagine, naked for the world to see
Imagine, standing here in front of me
Imagine, no one else but you and me
Imagine, to enjoy reality
I can see everything
You've never spoke about
Now I know how come you're down
I will be there for you
Don't be afraid to ask
Naked for the world to see
As you stand in front of me, yes you are
Naked for the world to see
All secrets disappear
Imagine, naked for the world to see
Imagine, standing here in front of me
Imagine, imagine
Naked for the world to see
Standing here in front of me
No one else but you and me
To enjoy reality
Naked for the world to see
Standing here in front of me
Now the time has come for you and me to make it destiny
Imagine just imagine
Tell the world to stop the bad scene
Baby, oh my baby
Pass the word to everybody
Where everyone could see your thoughts
We could never lie to anyone
So I close my eyes to share
I can see everything
You've never spoke about
Now I know how come you're down
I will be there for you
Don't be afraid to ask
I'll give you my word
Naked for the world to see
As you stand in front of me, yes you are
Naked for the world to see
All secrets disappear
So let's imagine, naked for the world to see
Imagine, standing here in front of me
Imagine, no one else but you and me
Imagine, to enjoy reality
Come on follow me, yes this way
It will feel like being there you'll see
Let your mind fly here we're safe
It's all so very clear
I want to stay right here
With the golden silence
Touching us within
We can create this world
It's up to us to do it
There's nothing to fear
Naked for the world to see
As you stand in front of me, yes you are
Naked for the world to see
All secrets disappear
So let's imagine, naked for the world to see
Imagine, standing here in front of me
Imagine, no one else but you and me
Imagine, to enjoy reality
I can see everything
You've never spoke about
Now I know how come you're down
I will be there for you
Don't be afraid to ask
Naked for the world to see
As you stand in front of me, yes you are
Naked for the world to see
All secrets disappear
Imagine, naked for the world to see
Imagine, standing here in front of me
Imagine, imagine
Naked for the world to see
Standing here in front of me
No one else but you and me
To enjoy reality
Naked for the world to see
Standing here in front of me
Now the time has come for you and me to make it destiny
Imagine just imagine
Tell the world to stop the bad scene
Baby, oh my baby
Pass the word to everybody
Lyrics submitted by beau99
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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.
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.