"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.
You Are Alive
You're doing fine
Most of the time
You sit and wonder
What tomorrow brings
All kinds of things
You sit and wait
You hesitate
Just like you've never
Been in love before
There's so much more
On your own
And though you feel alone
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
All alone
Into this world we're thrown
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
On your own
And though you feel alone
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
You turn around
You're lost and found
Looking for someone
Who will understand
Or hold your hand
You count the days
A hopeless case
But for the first time
You will wait for me
Patiently
On your own
And though you feel alone
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
All alone
Into this world we're thrown
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
On your own
And though you feel alone
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
All alone
Into this world we're thrown
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
On your own
And though you feel alone
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
All alone
Into this world we're thrown
You are alive
You're doing fine
Most of the time
You sit and wonder
What tomorrow brings
All kinds of things
You sit and wait
You hesitate
Just like you've never
Been in love before
There's so much more
On your own
And though you feel alone
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
All alone
Into this world we're thrown
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
On your own
And though you feel alone
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
You turn around
You're lost and found
Looking for someone
Who will understand
Or hold your hand
You count the days
A hopeless case
But for the first time
You will wait for me
Patiently
On your own
And though you feel alone
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
All alone
Into this world we're thrown
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
On your own
And though you feel alone
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
All alone
Into this world we're thrown
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
On your own
And though you feel alone
You are alive
Don't you know
It's just another day
All alone
Into this world we're thrown
You are alive
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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/
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Despite what you've been through, you're still here. Today is just another day; there will be a tomorrow.