"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.
Well things they go bump in the night that you can't see
How were the mishaps that always have burdened threes
They say no rocket science, no big mystery
Why the light of day is shown to us is absolutely meaningless to me
Well first things first, we've gotta find a way
To make the beauty of the nighttime last all day
We'll do our very best to keep our appetites in check
You better watch your back, we want your neck
Nothing but rotten apples lay here like years from the tree
Got thrown out of the house at the ripe age of three
I'll do my very best to keep my feelings off my chest
And out of your neck, out of your neck
Well things they go bump in the night that you can't see
How were the mishaps that always have burdened threes
They say no rocket science, no big mystery
Why the light of day is shown to us is absolutely meaningless to me
Well things they go bump in the night that you can't see
How were the mishaps that always have burdened threes
They say no rocket science, no big mystery
Why the light of day is shown to us is absolutely meaningless to me
Well the dreams that tremble into nightmares while you sleep
How were that feeling someone's watching from the street
They say no rocket science, no big mystery
Why the light of day is shown to us is absolutely meaningless to me
How were the mishaps that always have burdened threes
They say no rocket science, no big mystery
Why the light of day is shown to us is absolutely meaningless to me
Well first things first, we've gotta find a way
To make the beauty of the nighttime last all day
We'll do our very best to keep our appetites in check
You better watch your back, we want your neck
Nothing but rotten apples lay here like years from the tree
Got thrown out of the house at the ripe age of three
I'll do my very best to keep my feelings off my chest
And out of your neck, out of your neck
Well things they go bump in the night that you can't see
How were the mishaps that always have burdened threes
They say no rocket science, no big mystery
Why the light of day is shown to us is absolutely meaningless to me
Well things they go bump in the night that you can't see
How were the mishaps that always have burdened threes
They say no rocket science, no big mystery
Why the light of day is shown to us is absolutely meaningless to me
Well the dreams that tremble into nightmares while you sleep
How were that feeling someone's watching from the street
They say no rocket science, no big mystery
Why the light of day is shown to us is absolutely meaningless to me
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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”
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.
I also enjoy this much more than the original one.