"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.
See him walking in the park
With a few things on his mind
He's been talking with the ones
With the ones that he loves
Tell me who is gonna pay
I'm so anxious I don't know
You can see it on their face
As it takes its toll
And he takes his time
Yeh he takes his time
No one ever, ever gonna mind
I don't care what the future holds
All I know is that I'm getting old
I think I've had an affair
At least that's what they call it these days
And it wasn't very fair
To the ones that I love
Well I just pushed her away
There was nothing I could say
Now I hang myself each night
With this noose that I built
And he takes his time yeah he takes his time
No one ever, ever gonna mind
I don't care what the future holds
All that I know is that I'm getting old
With a few things on his mind
He's been talking with the ones
With the ones that he loves
Tell me who is gonna pay
I'm so anxious I don't know
You can see it on their face
As it takes its toll
And he takes his time
Yeh he takes his time
No one ever, ever gonna mind
I don't care what the future holds
All I know is that I'm getting old
I think I've had an affair
At least that's what they call it these days
And it wasn't very fair
To the ones that I love
Well I just pushed her away
There was nothing I could say
Now I hang myself each night
With this noose that I built
And he takes his time yeah he takes his time
No one ever, ever gonna mind
I don't care what the future holds
All that I know is that I'm getting old
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
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.
I can't believe this song has no comments. Possibly EJ's best song (possibly 2nd best), for me anyway.