"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.
There's nothing wrong
With what you do and what you say
There's nothing wrong
Pure will will get you through
Why can't you see you're in my way?
Your ways are killing you
Do what thou wilt
Shall be the whole of the law
Do what thou wilt
All they understand is the claw
Why can't you see you're in my way?
Your ways are killing you
Your ways are killing me
Killing me
Killing you
So go fuck yourself anyway
Keep this hunger
There's nothing wrong
With how I live my life today
There's nothing wrong
So go fuck yourself anyway
Why can't you see you're in my way?
With what you do and what you say
There's nothing wrong
Pure will will get you through
Why can't you see you're in my way?
Your ways are killing you
Do what thou wilt
Shall be the whole of the law
Do what thou wilt
All they understand is the claw
Why can't you see you're in my way?
Your ways are killing you
Your ways are killing me
Killing me
Killing you
So go fuck yourself anyway
Keep this hunger
There's nothing wrong
With how I live my life today
There's nothing wrong
So go fuck yourself anyway
Why can't you see you're in my way?
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
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.
The song deals with Aleister Crowley and his Thelma Law "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law." In other words, you are your own God, and as long as you don't hurt anyone else, you can do whatever you desire. However, this it very misleading, because although on the outside it seems this philosophy is peaceful, it actually promotes self destructive behavior and justification for immorality with no consequences for immoral acts. Crowley himself was an avid drug user and sexual pervert. He was also completely Anti-Christian, which I feel many a music artist uses to justify their Anti-Christian messages of rebellion and self-gratification (Black Sabbath, David Bowie, The Beatles and many others).
Basically, Devildriver is saying, there is nothing wrong with doing what you want or saying what you want. Put a vent to your soul, for better or worse, however this philosophy only leads to strife and degeneration. There is a difference between recognizing ones faults and growing through a life of bettering oneself, and embracing ones immorality and glorifying it by calling it liberty.
What I get from the lyric "Your ways are killing you", is that to Devildriver, putting yourself second, not giving into your impulses or living solely for yourself, is not living at all. When Dez says "There is nothing wrong, with how I live my life TODAY", he means in today's society, it is okay to live anyway you please within the bounds of the law. However, there is a difference between what is JUST and what is TRUE. There is a difference between what is RIGHT and what is GOOD.