"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.
Son
Well now me and Homer and Big John Talley
Had a big crap game goin' back in the alley
And I kept rollin' them sevens and winnin' all them pots
My luck was good I could do no wrong
I just kept on rollin' and controllin' them bones
Finally they just threw up their hands and said
When you're hot you're hot I said yeah
When you're hot you're hot and when you're not you're not
Put all the money in and let's roll 'em again when you're hot you're hot
(La la la la la when you're hot you're hot)
Well now every time I rolled 'em dice I'd win
And I would just get ready to roll 'em again
When I heard something behind me I turned around and there was a big ole cop
He said hello boy and he gave us a grin
Said looks like I'm gonna have to haul you all in
And keep all that money for evidence I said well son when you're hot you're hot
When you're hot you're hot and when you're not you're not
You can 'splain it all down at city hall when you're hot you're hot
(La la la la la when you're hot you're hot)
Well when he took us into court I couldn't believe my eyes
The judge was a fishin' buddy that I recognized
I said hey judge old buddy old pal I'll pay you
That hundred I owe you if you get me out of this spot
So he gave my friend a little fine to pay he turned around and grinned at me and said
Ninety days sweet thang when you're hot you're hot I said thanks a lot
When you're hot you're hot and when you're not you're not
You let my friend go free and throw the book at me
He said well when you're hot you're hot
I said well I tell you one thing judge old buddy old pal
If you wasn't wearin' that black robe I'd pick you up by courthouse
And I'd try a little bit of your honor on
"You understand that, you hillbilly?
Who gonna collect my welfare?
Pay for my Cadillac?
Whadda you mean 'Contempt of Court'?
Judge, oh, judge, judgie poo"
Well now me and Homer and Big John Talley
Had a big crap game goin' back in the alley
And I kept rollin' them sevens and winnin' all them pots
My luck was good I could do no wrong
I just kept on rollin' and controllin' them bones
Finally they just threw up their hands and said
When you're hot you're hot I said yeah
When you're hot you're hot and when you're not you're not
Put all the money in and let's roll 'em again when you're hot you're hot
(La la la la la when you're hot you're hot)
Well now every time I rolled 'em dice I'd win
And I would just get ready to roll 'em again
When I heard something behind me I turned around and there was a big ole cop
He said hello boy and he gave us a grin
Said looks like I'm gonna have to haul you all in
And keep all that money for evidence I said well son when you're hot you're hot
When you're hot you're hot and when you're not you're not
You can 'splain it all down at city hall when you're hot you're hot
(La la la la la when you're hot you're hot)
Well when he took us into court I couldn't believe my eyes
The judge was a fishin' buddy that I recognized
I said hey judge old buddy old pal I'll pay you
That hundred I owe you if you get me out of this spot
So he gave my friend a little fine to pay he turned around and grinned at me and said
Ninety days sweet thang when you're hot you're hot I said thanks a lot
When you're hot you're hot and when you're not you're not
You let my friend go free and throw the book at me
He said well when you're hot you're hot
I said well I tell you one thing judge old buddy old pal
If you wasn't wearin' that black robe I'd pick you up by courthouse
And I'd try a little bit of your honor on
"You understand that, you hillbilly?
Who gonna collect my welfare?
Pay for my Cadillac?
Whadda you mean 'Contempt of Court'?
Judge, oh, judge, judgie poo"
Lyrics submitted by Charlie the man
When You're Hot, You're Hot Lyrics as written by J. Reed
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Hayalperest
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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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
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Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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/
This song has makes one good point- Thinking that you are safe from the law because of your "Charm" is never a factor and can very well backfire on you. The best way to stay out of trouble is by being dirt truthful. Thinking that you are buddy-buddy with the judge is not a very good thing to assume, particularly because he is far more educated in dealing with the sort of people like you in the first place. "Throwed the book at me" is more or less "Blamed all of it on me".
Jerry Reed himself experienced this kind of situation, and he knew very well what he was talking about in this song. When you are "hot" is when you are lucky. When you aren't hot, you aren't lucky.
Gambling is a great way to win money, and is also a great way to get incarcerated aswell.
While most people listen to the song and simply laugh at the chorus thinking it is some pointless hill billy song, it has much more to it then most people think. Not only do you have to look at the song and it's lyrics, you have to compare it to real life situations too.
This is the first song I have chosen to fully explain, and I hope to explain more in the future.
Also- this song is a good example of a "what could go wrong?" situation.