"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.
By the time I get to Arizona
You'll be falling from my grace
Evergreens will lie about the season
As the daylight gives a chase
I would buy the planetarium
So no stars would fall
A sunset lost on me is not your loss
Cause your heart beats
And by the time you get the invitation
I'll be spoiling the surprise
And talking loud about forever
As the desert fingers rise
Can you hear the wheels sigh
Can winter lovers justify
This fogged up window green
And every breath held in between
Leaving home but being careful
Not to leave too much behind
Lighting out despite our saddest faces
We can be in four places at a time
Can you tell I've lost my intuition?
Like I need it anymore...
Six bits for facts and plastic bubbles
And I've never felt so sure
Bless the roadside
I'll keep you untied
So says the parking brake
The thing you miss is no mistake
Leaving home but being careful
Not to leave too much behind
Lighting out to find our finest graces
We can be in four places at a time
I had a plan
I had sense enough
That counted it like promises to myself
And after centuries
Of bad luck and open air
I found the one to keep
I found the one to keep (x5)
You'll be falling from my grace
Evergreens will lie about the season
As the daylight gives a chase
I would buy the planetarium
So no stars would fall
A sunset lost on me is not your loss
Cause your heart beats
And by the time you get the invitation
I'll be spoiling the surprise
And talking loud about forever
As the desert fingers rise
Can you hear the wheels sigh
Can winter lovers justify
This fogged up window green
And every breath held in between
Leaving home but being careful
Not to leave too much behind
Lighting out despite our saddest faces
We can be in four places at a time
Can you tell I've lost my intuition?
Like I need it anymore...
Six bits for facts and plastic bubbles
And I've never felt so sure
Bless the roadside
I'll keep you untied
So says the parking brake
The thing you miss is no mistake
Leaving home but being careful
Not to leave too much behind
Lighting out to find our finest graces
We can be in four places at a time
I had a plan
I had sense enough
That counted it like promises to myself
And after centuries
Of bad luck and open air
I found the one to keep
I found the one to keep (x5)
Lyrics submitted by sethbrown
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Well first is the obvious imagery of the four corners... Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado... but like the four corners, he has found someone so perfect and unique that nothing compares... Thats what i get from it... Love the line "by the time you get the invitation i'll be spoiling the surprise"