"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.
When we signed up for the army
To a rangers company
Armed with M16's
Straight into the war
Then we served under the banner
Clad in US stars an stripes
And on moonless nights
We marched for endless miles
Once we were soldiers
Once we were young
We have found our peace
We've seen the end
Fallen in war
We belong to history
Fallen in war
Sleep 6 feet below
Heart of the brave
Cannot bring me back to life
Fallen in war
Still brothers in arms
We have fought in distant conflict
And for all to many years
Seen our friends go down
Wounded dead or lost
Know that peace comes at a high price
It may take a thousand lives
And a deep belief
Sacrifice of men
Shining heart beats no more
Buried deep deep in cold earth
Shallow grave in my motherland
Here I stay lay in darkness forever
To a rangers company
Armed with M16's
Straight into the war
Then we served under the banner
Clad in US stars an stripes
And on moonless nights
We marched for endless miles
Once we were soldiers
Once we were young
We have found our peace
We've seen the end
Fallen in war
We belong to history
Fallen in war
Sleep 6 feet below
Heart of the brave
Cannot bring me back to life
Fallen in war
Still brothers in arms
We have fought in distant conflict
And for all to many years
Seen our friends go down
Wounded dead or lost
Know that peace comes at a high price
It may take a thousand lives
And a deep belief
Sacrifice of men
Shining heart beats no more
Buried deep deep in cold earth
Shallow grave in my motherland
Here I stay lay in darkness forever
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Referring to the book "Once we were soldiers once we were young" and the movie "We were soldiers"
aka the Vietnam War
The line "armed with m16s" refers to the war aswell
The "Purple Heart" is a decoration for wounded or fallen soldiers in the US-Army.
The song is about all who have fallen in conflict. It specifically mentions the United States, but it means to any that have fought and died in conflict. Also IQ the Purple Heart is given to members of any branch of the military.
Very powerfull and moving song
Presumably referring to Vietnam (M16's) but applicable to any soldiers anywhere. Very moving