"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.
Now that everybody's here
Could we please have your attention?
There is nothing left to fear
Not now that Bigfoot is captured
But are the children really right alright alright?
But are the children really right alright alright?
But are the children all alright?
There is danger in the night
There are things we can't control but
Will we give ourselves a fright
When we become less than human?
There are people who say why, oh why, oh why?
Now there are other ways to die, oh why, oh why
Oh why, oh why?
But upon this tidal wave
Oh god oh god
But upon this tidal wave
Oh god oh god, of
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
We are men who stay alive
Who send your children away now
We are calling from a tower
Expressing what must be everyone's opinion
"They are going out to bars
And they are getting into cars
I have seen them with my own eyes."
"America please help them!"
And they are
Child stars [Repear: x30]
With their sex, and their drugs
And their rock and rock and rock and rock and roll
Hey!
Could we please have your attention?
There is nothing left to fear
Not now that Bigfoot is captured
But are the children really right alright alright?
But are the children really right alright alright?
But are the children all alright?
There is danger in the night
There are things we can't control but
Will we give ourselves a fright
When we become less than human?
There are people who say why, oh why, oh why?
Now there are other ways to die, oh why, oh why
Oh why, oh why?
But upon this tidal wave
Oh god oh god
But upon this tidal wave
Oh god oh god, of
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
Young blood
We are men who stay alive
Who send your children away now
We are calling from a tower
Expressing what must be everyone's opinion
"They are going out to bars
And they are getting into cars
I have seen them with my own eyes."
"America please help them!"
And they are
Child stars [Repear: x30]
With their sex, and their drugs
And their rock and rock and rock and rock and roll
Hey!
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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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
okay i love what jamisonlikewhat said up there. Whatever he quoted, it was right on. So many people are like AHHH CLAP YOUR HANDS
But don't even get what is so great about it. The first time I heard the album I was immediately in love. And so many people say 'Oh he sounds like David Byrne.' which almost makes no sense. I guess the vocal mechanics are a little bit in the same vein, but they kind of sound nothing alike. Especially because apart from the vocals, the music is completely different.
Basically when the day ends, Clap Your Hands first album was the most interesting thing to come out in the last two years. In my opinion. It's so fresh to me, I still love listening to it, every song is completely original, I don't hear shreds of anybody else in their songs. They are Clap Your Hands and only Clap Your Hands. Hipsters be damned I still love these guys.
Also, this is one of my favorite songs, and it used to floor me in the summer of 2005 I played the shit out of this song. It will always remind me of great great times. I love the end ' the sex the drugs the rock and rock and roll HEY!'
SO GOOD