"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 dream of birds, birds without wings
children who grew up to be dangerous things
i was known as the postman, i worked through the night
i made my deliveries sink out of sight
we would wrap them, wrap them up
anything to shut them up
had to stitch them, stitch them up
see how they fly
see how they fly
we'd hold them in the center 'till we were all done
we'd turn up the music and have some fun
you're on your way out, that's what they were told
and we'd mock them and drug them, 'till our stupor took its hold
we would wrap them, wrap them up
anything to shut them up
had to stitch them, stitch them up
see how they fly
see how they fly
fly out low, some way offshore
the sacking covers up their heads
don't want to look into their eyes
as i push them through the open door
children who grew up to be dangerous things
i was known as the postman, i worked through the night
i made my deliveries sink out of sight
we would wrap them, wrap them up
anything to shut them up
had to stitch them, stitch them up
see how they fly
see how they fly
we'd hold them in the center 'till we were all done
we'd turn up the music and have some fun
you're on your way out, that's what they were told
and we'd mock them and drug them, 'till our stupor took its hold
we would wrap them, wrap them up
anything to shut them up
had to stitch them, stitch them up
see how they fly
see how they fly
fly out low, some way offshore
the sacking covers up their heads
don't want to look into their eyes
as i push them through the open door
Lyrics submitted by ButNeverOutgunned
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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/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
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.
At first I just dug this song because of the groove and the wicked acoustic guitar break. Then I started really listening to the words, and realized how creepy they were. Started poking around online, and from what I can tell, PG is referring to the "death flights" during the Argentine war.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_flights
Now I dig the song for all sorts of other reasons. Leave it to Peter (npi) to succeed in translating such a gruesome topic into a truly moving piece of art. The guy is a master.