"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.
It's too late to try and take it back now
String me up and hang me upside down
How long before my head hits the ground?
This ain't easy for me
It's further from the truth, it may seem
I lied because I want you to believe me
I know I've got it coming, wait and see
Tell me, that's not how it's supposed to be
It's the last time I'll be on my knees
That's not how it's supposed to be
So sad, yeah, I ain't got much to show
How long before they start throwing stones?
Watch me as I'm pelted to the bone
And make a song for me
String me up and hang me upside down
How long before my head hits the ground?
This ain't easy for me
It's further from the truth, it may seem
I lied because I want you to believe me
I know I've got it coming, wait and see
Tell me, that's not how it's supposed to be
It's the last time I'll be on my knees
That's not how it's supposed to be
So sad, yeah, I ain't got much to show
How long before they start throwing stones?
Watch me as I'm pelted to the bone
And make a song for me
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
This reminds me of that terrible band with bob dylans kid in it
To me, it sounds like a last plea before a breakup. The guy lied about something big, and now he's getting dumped.
I just wanted to mention that the last line is actually, "and don't be sorry for me", not (as is indicated in the lyrics provided) "and make a song for me."
I think the song is about coming to a realization that the relationship has come the point of a dead-end, where the guy feels he has to lie in order to maintain the relationship and he's realized that "that's not how it's supposed to be." So maybe he should rethink his intentions and/or prerogatives. He's also acknowledging and accepting what the result of this is going to mean.
at least that's what I hear. it's a great song.