"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.
who i am
retort to toiletmouth
now louder answer
the firmest fist and kiss its
asked me again
how gameshow season never ends
the same old reason i won't win
suspended in this animation
i could use a new vacation
namelessly the nameless and the faceless go to make up
tell me i'm not spending too much time on happy endings
and my life does not rely on how much love you might be lending me
above there's so much i'm depending on remembering more instead
you send me door to door to have the family cat attack the stranger
back by popular demand
stand as you were
before you saw your parting gift in stores
you poured your empty heart in it but finished what you started
when you practiced and rehearsed
to find the god before he finds you first
in dirty words and poison dreams
like girls who flirt while boys are teens
you're only asking for one thing
it's never only make believe to me
tell me i'm not spending too much time on happy endings
and my life does not rely on how much love you might be lending me
above there's so much i'm depending on remembering more instead of
war with me, myself, and i
i'm headed for the stranger in the sky
resort in paradise
now louder answer
the wish and kiss is good
retort to toiletmouth
now louder answer
the firmest fist and kiss its
asked me again
how gameshow season never ends
the same old reason i won't win
suspended in this animation
i could use a new vacation
namelessly the nameless and the faceless go to make up
tell me i'm not spending too much time on happy endings
and my life does not rely on how much love you might be lending me
above there's so much i'm depending on remembering more instead
you send me door to door to have the family cat attack the stranger
back by popular demand
stand as you were
before you saw your parting gift in stores
you poured your empty heart in it but finished what you started
when you practiced and rehearsed
to find the god before he finds you first
in dirty words and poison dreams
like girls who flirt while boys are teens
you're only asking for one thing
it's never only make believe to me
tell me i'm not spending too much time on happy endings
and my life does not rely on how much love you might be lending me
above there's so much i'm depending on remembering more instead of
war with me, myself, and i
i'm headed for the stranger in the sky
resort in paradise
now louder answer
the wish and kiss is good
Lyrics submitted by _whatjusthappened
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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/
i believe its about belief in god. stranger in the sky. its about someone who believes in something, but can't quite get their fingers around it.