"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.
Dancin' where the stars go blue
Dancin' where the evening fell
Dancin' in my wooden shoes
In a wedding gown
Dancin' out on 7th street
Dancin' through the underground
Dancin' little marionette
Are you happy now?
Where do you go when you're lonely
Where do you go when you're blue
Where do you go when you're lonely, I'll follow you
When the stars go blue
When the stars go blue
Blue
Laughing with your pretty mouth (Laughing with your pretty mouth)
Laughing with your broken eyes (Laughing with your broken eyes)
Laughing with your lover's song
In a lullaby
Where do you go when you're lonely
Where do you go when you're blue
Where do you go when you're lonely, I'll follow you
Where do you go when you're lonely
Where do you go where you're blue
Where do you go when you're lonely I'll follow you
Follow you
Yeah yeah, when the stars go blue
When the stars go blue
When the stars go blue
When the stars go blue
Where do you go when you're lonely
Where do you go when the stars go blue
Dancin' where the evening fell
Dancin' in my wooden shoes
In a wedding gown
Dancin' out on 7th street
Dancin' through the underground
Dancin' little marionette
Are you happy now?
Where do you go when you're lonely
Where do you go when you're blue
Where do you go when you're lonely, I'll follow you
When the stars go blue
When the stars go blue
Blue
Laughing with your pretty mouth (Laughing with your pretty mouth)
Laughing with your broken eyes (Laughing with your broken eyes)
Laughing with your lover's song
In a lullaby
Where do you go when you're lonely
Where do you go when you're blue
Where do you go when you're lonely, I'll follow you
Where do you go when you're lonely
Where do you go where you're blue
Where do you go when you're lonely I'll follow you
Follow you
Yeah yeah, when the stars go blue
When the stars go blue
When the stars go blue
When the stars go blue
Where do you go when you're lonely
Where do you go when the stars go blue
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More Featured Meanings
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,
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.
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.
ryan adams cover that is beautifully covered by Bethany Joy and Tyler Hilton.