"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.
Now deep in the heart of a lonely kid
Who suffered so much for what he did
They gave this plough boy his fortune and fame
Since that day, he ain't been the same
See the man with the stage fright
Just standing up there to give it all his might
And he got caught in the spotlight
But when we get to the end
You want to start all over again
I've got fire water right on my breath
And the doctor warned me I might catch a death
Said, "you can make it in your disguise
Just never show the fear that's in your eyes"
See the man with the stage fright
Just standing up there to give it all his might
He got caught in the spotlight
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again
Now if he says that he's afraid
Take him at his word
And for the price that the poor boy has paid
He gets to sing just like a bird, oh, ooh
Your brow is sweating and your mouth gets dry
Fancy people go drifting by
The moment of truth is right at hand
Just one more nightmare you can stand
See the man with the stage fright
Just standing up there to give it all his might
And he got caught in the spotlight
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again
You want to try it once again
Please don't make him stop
Let him take it from the top
Let him start all over again
Who suffered so much for what he did
They gave this plough boy his fortune and fame
Since that day, he ain't been the same
See the man with the stage fright
Just standing up there to give it all his might
And he got caught in the spotlight
But when we get to the end
You want to start all over again
I've got fire water right on my breath
And the doctor warned me I might catch a death
Said, "you can make it in your disguise
Just never show the fear that's in your eyes"
See the man with the stage fright
Just standing up there to give it all his might
He got caught in the spotlight
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again
Now if he says that he's afraid
Take him at his word
And for the price that the poor boy has paid
He gets to sing just like a bird, oh, ooh
Your brow is sweating and your mouth gets dry
Fancy people go drifting by
The moment of truth is right at hand
Just one more nightmare you can stand
See the man with the stage fright
Just standing up there to give it all his might
And he got caught in the spotlight
But when we get to the end
He wants to start all over again
You want to try it once again
Please don't make him stop
Let him take it from the top
Let him start all over again
Lyrics submitted by planetearth
Stage Fright Lyrics as written by Robbie Robertson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
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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.
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Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
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Just A Little Lovin'
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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
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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.
The song lyrics are actually referring to Robbie Robertson's..Stage Fright. For years.. he was deathly afraid to perform live. They talk about this in their last tour which was filmed.."The Last Waltz".
any and everytime me and my friend frightfully take the stage at the shitty little bar we've play/ed in topeka this song is always in the back of my head. richard and rick will always be remembered and listened to in my book.
Great song!
I heard this song was about the Band's experience touring with Bob Dylan when he was transitioning from folk to electric. Dylan's hardcore fans were not very receptive to the change and he was booed and heckled. (The Band were the ones playng in that infamous recording of "Like a Rolling Stone" when an audience member calls Bob Dylan "Judas" and Dylan responds by turning to the Band and saying "play it fucking loud!")
I'm not sure if this song is really about that, but it is interesting to think of Bob Dylan as having stage fright.
Btw I effing love this song
@dylanhope you are correct. It's about Bob Dylan
As a combat veteran, I have a little different take on this song. He is a "kid" just like the many 18-yr olds who join the military, but this fellow is quite successful in the military (awards, kudos, ect...). Anyway, he eventually does things during war (e.g. Vietnam) which he is trained to do but overwhelmed with guilt of his actions. Now, as a returning veteran, he has PTSD, which manifest with symptoms of overwhelming fear just like that experienced in battle (e.g. flash backs). This leads to an ever-expanding cycle of personal fear. He drinks alcohol (fire water) to deal with his emotional instability, but knows he can never share his real feelings. His freind who is telling the story knows him quite well and even warns about the importance of believeing him when he says he is afraid, as he has faced death and survived...he knows genuine fear. I believe the end of the song is about simply giving up..."just one more nightmare"...which is also a symptom of PTSD.
this song is not just about singing infront of crowds its about being araid to ask a girl out thats wheir the opening lines come from now deep in the heart of a lonely kid suffering so much for what he did. what else can that mean without the lonely it could mean music but not with that simple word