"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.
Ooks, looks, looks
You had sense, you had style, you had cash galore
Looks, looks, looks
You employed her and dressed her in formal fashion
Still you bore her because you ain't got a nose that's straight, a set of perfect teeth
You got a built-in seat, that makes you look effete
You know that looks, looks, looks, are why you rely on books
Looks, looks, looks
From the eye to the brains just one inch or two
Looks, looks, looks
From the eye to the heart's only slightly farther
The smart grow smarter, but still can't compete
And they know deep down that they are scarred for life
And that a face can launch a thousand hips
It's gonna be all right
If it ain't, don't blame me, it's your looks
At night she masquerades her passion covered by a veil of calm
Say, put on your shoes
Say, put on your shoes
No use one look at her and anyone can tell that she's on fire
Spot her error
Spot her error
Spot her error
Well, now she's all over you
Looks, looks, looks
No, it's not very hard to make history
Looks, looks, looks
Just some cavalry and a good uniform that fits in places
Where everyone tends to look and marvel
At the way you lead them on and
Look and marvel at the way you win because of
Looks, looks, looks
As long as you're long on looks
Spot her error
Spot her error
Spot her error
Well, now she's all over you
Looks, looks, looks
Far away, close at hand, it's the only thing
Looks, looks, looks
On the seas in the sand, any place is laced with
Those who have it
And those who can only look
You had sense, you had style, you had cash galore
Looks, looks, looks
You employed her and dressed her in formal fashion
Still you bore her because you ain't got a nose that's straight, a set of perfect teeth
You got a built-in seat, that makes you look effete
You know that looks, looks, looks, are why you rely on books
Looks, looks, looks
From the eye to the brains just one inch or two
Looks, looks, looks
From the eye to the heart's only slightly farther
The smart grow smarter, but still can't compete
And they know deep down that they are scarred for life
And that a face can launch a thousand hips
It's gonna be all right
If it ain't, don't blame me, it's your looks
At night she masquerades her passion covered by a veil of calm
Say, put on your shoes
Say, put on your shoes
No use one look at her and anyone can tell that she's on fire
Spot her error
Spot her error
Spot her error
Well, now she's all over you
Looks, looks, looks
No, it's not very hard to make history
Looks, looks, looks
Just some cavalry and a good uniform that fits in places
Where everyone tends to look and marvel
At the way you lead them on and
Look and marvel at the way you win because of
Looks, looks, looks
As long as you're long on looks
Spot her error
Spot her error
Spot her error
Well, now she's all over you
Looks, looks, looks
Far away, close at hand, it's the only thing
Looks, looks, looks
On the seas in the sand, any place is laced with
Those who have it
And those who can only look
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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.
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.