"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.
I'd rather be lonely, I'd rather be free
I'm as sure as the moon rolls around the sea
But I like watching you undress
And I think we're at our best
By the flicker by the light of the TV set
'Cause I can't remember why I hated you
Can't remember why I still do
But I'm as sure as the moon rolls around you
That I could be happy, happy
Oh, so happy, happy
Oh, so happy, so happy
They warn you about killers and thieves in night
I worry about cancer and living right
But my mama never warned me about my own
Destructive appetite
Or the pitfalls of control
How it locks you in your grave
Looking for someone to be saved and not restrained
So I could be happy, happy
Oh so happy, happy
Oh so happy, happy
So happy, so happy
I'm as sure as the moon rolls around
I'm as sure as the moon rolls around the sea
But I like watching you undress
And I think we're at our best
By the flicker by the light of the TV set
'Cause I can't remember why I hated you
Can't remember why I still do
But I'm as sure as the moon rolls around you
That I could be happy, happy
Oh, so happy, happy
Oh, so happy, so happy
They warn you about killers and thieves in night
I worry about cancer and living right
But my mama never warned me about my own
Destructive appetite
Or the pitfalls of control
How it locks you in your grave
Looking for someone to be saved and not restrained
So I could be happy, happy
Oh so happy, happy
Oh so happy, happy
So happy, so happy
I'm as sure as the moon rolls around
Lyrics submitted by missteenwordpower
Happy Lyrics as written by Jenny Lewis
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Yo La Tengo
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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,
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.
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/
Everyone has given explanations for bits and pieces of this song, and while it is pretty straight forward, I will give my full explanation.
In the beginning she is saying that she would rather be alone because shed be free. She is pretty sure of that. But then she has found someone who she really cares about. Someone who she enjoys doing the simple things in life with (which in my opinion is true love, a relationship where you can be yourself, and where you can do absolutely nothing with the person and still have a good time...) BUT i digress...
These next few lines i can really relate to. She says "i cant remember why i hated you, and cant remember why i still do" Often in relationships, we dont always fall in love with the person at first sight. We meet them, form opinions about them, (and in this case maybe Jenny didnt like him) and one day you could wake up and realize you cant live w/o the person. So it sounds like this may have happened to Jenny and she didnt like the guy and still has certain things she dislikes in him but she realizes he can make her Happy,oh so Happy.
Now this verse is my favorite line in any song. She is talking about all the normal things that can cause you harm and how other people always warn you of these things. But the one thing no one ever tells you is how You can be your own worst enemy. Control is a crazy thing. There are people out there (i admit i am one of them) who cant stand to not have control of a situation. In love though, you cant have that attitude. Love is about losing control and letting yourself go. Jenny realizes that she has a hard time doing this.
She says that she knows she can be happy with this person, she just has to let it happen ~Peace
@roxyjl186 nice. nailed it
I think it's "Killers and thieves in the night"
fucking brilliant!
I think part of the song means that you're always warned about the things that attack you, and never about what you can do to yourself by misbelieving what is right.
I think part of the song means that you're always warned about the things that attack you, and never about what you can do to yourself by misbelieving what is right.
Yeah, I would agree with that. I'd say she's saying that you're never warned against self destructiveness and also how people can become obsessed with control and let it take over their lives.
Its about giving into sexual desires and wanting to be in control of someone else, about a womans need to own a man.
htcore, i like your explaination. a lot. never thought of it that way before.
I think the song is about how none of the things she was warned about are happening to her so she must be "happy" but she isn't
i love this song so much.
and amen about destructive appetites