"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.
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Clouds forming on the gospel sky, trouble is about to brew on us
It didn't matter that we tried, they can only take a few from us
The fins and the paws and hooves and feet Saunter up the gangway
The randomest sampling is complete
God, could there be someway
That I could, wear a hood
Or by the way I stood
Sneak aboard with you
Imitate,
Imitate,
Imitate,
Imitate,
They still know its you
Bon voyage, bon voyage, bon voyage,
peace be with all of you
I wish that I, I wish that I, were one of you
Tears falling on the sloping sand,
There about to leave and we will stay
All governed by the rules of chance,
They're about to leave and we will stay
Goodbye to my lucky friends and foes,
Glad that we could know you
Everyone sends their last hello,
I wish that we could join you
Two of you
Two of them
Two of those
Two of them
Safety for the few
Two of you
Two of them
Two of those
Two of them
They will start anew
Bon voyage, bon voyage, bon voyage
Peace be with all of you
I wish that I, I wish that I, I wish that I
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bickering,
Dickering,
Bickering,
Dickering,
Everything that moves
Bickering,
Dickering,
Bickering,
Dickering,
Final, futile moves
Bon voyage, bon voyage, bon voyage,
Peace be with all of you
I wish that I, I wish that I, I wish that I
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Clouds forming on the gospel sky, trouble is about to brew on us
It didn't matter that we tried, they can only take a few from us
The fins and the paws and hooves and feet Saunter up the gangway
The randomest sampling is complete
God, could there be someway
That I could, wear a hood
Or by the way I stood
Sneak aboard with you
Imitate,
Imitate,
Imitate,
Imitate,
They still know its you
Bon voyage, bon voyage, bon voyage,
peace be with all of you
I wish that I, I wish that I, were one of you
Tears falling on the sloping sand,
There about to leave and we will stay
All governed by the rules of chance,
They're about to leave and we will stay
Goodbye to my lucky friends and foes,
Glad that we could know you
Everyone sends their last hello,
I wish that we could join you
Two of you
Two of them
Two of those
Two of them
Safety for the few
Two of you
Two of them
Two of those
Two of them
They will start anew
Bon voyage, bon voyage, bon voyage
Peace be with all of you
I wish that I, I wish that I, I wish that I
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bickering,
Dickering,
Bickering,
Dickering,
Everything that moves
Bickering,
Dickering,
Bickering,
Dickering,
Final, futile moves
Bon voyage, bon voyage, bon voyage,
Peace be with all of you
I wish that I, I wish that I, I wish that I
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
Bon voyage, bon voyage
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
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/
Midnight
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Midnight” is a song about finding a love that is so true that it provides a calming feeling through every storm. Ed Sheeran reflects on his good fortunes in landing someone with such peace and support and speaks of not fearing the dark days because he knows they’ll all end in the safety nets of her arms.
“Well, good morning there / What a way to start the day / With everything laid bare,” Ed Sheeran sings in the first verse, enthusiastic to be waking up beside his woman. He apologizes for missing her calls in the second verse and promises to return them because for him, speaking to her is the most important thing. “Well, I get lost inside my head / In this chaos, you’re my calm / And I will find my feet again / ‘Cause еven the worst days of my life will always еnd / At midnight in your arms,” sings Ed Sheeran in the chorus, revelling in his good luck.
Noah's Ark from the standpoint of the animals that couldn't get on board.