"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.
How did we ever end up here
Stuck in my old hometown
Shuffling our cards at the breakfast table,
Watching the world go 'round
Well baby you look like a princess
Wrapped in my old bathrobe
Torn from a page in a paperback still waiting to unfold
And it's true I've been waiting on an angel in disguise
So could you save me from an ordinary life
Where you can't be a kid in a candy store
Smacking your lips 'cause you still want more
I tried to be good but I'm still so bored tonight
And I just don't care for ordinary life
How do we get back to Kingston
Paris and Tokyo Bay
I've got a card with a number on it itching to pay your way
And it's true we can't quite afford the sparkle in my eye
But would you trade it for an ordinary life
Where you can't be the chick I was cruising for
Shaking your hips on a big dance floor
You tried to be good but you're still so bored tonight
'Cause you just don't care for ordinary life
And it's true I've been waiting on an angel in disguise
But could you save me from an ordinary life
Where you can't be a kid in a candy store
Smacking your lips 'cause you still want more
I tried to be good but I'm still so bored tonight
And I just don't care for ordinary life
Stuck in my old hometown
Shuffling our cards at the breakfast table,
Watching the world go 'round
Well baby you look like a princess
Wrapped in my old bathrobe
Torn from a page in a paperback still waiting to unfold
And it's true I've been waiting on an angel in disguise
So could you save me from an ordinary life
Where you can't be a kid in a candy store
Smacking your lips 'cause you still want more
I tried to be good but I'm still so bored tonight
And I just don't care for ordinary life
How do we get back to Kingston
Paris and Tokyo Bay
I've got a card with a number on it itching to pay your way
And it's true we can't quite afford the sparkle in my eye
But would you trade it for an ordinary life
Where you can't be the chick I was cruising for
Shaking your hips on a big dance floor
You tried to be good but you're still so bored tonight
'Cause you just don't care for ordinary life
And it's true I've been waiting on an angel in disguise
But could you save me from an ordinary life
Where you can't be a kid in a candy store
Smacking your lips 'cause you still want more
I tried to be good but I'm still so bored tonight
And I just don't care for ordinary life
Lyrics submitted by BlueAndStarry
Ordinary Life Lyrics as written by David Mead
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.