"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'm standin' at the doorway
My head bowed in my hands
Not knowin' where to sit
Not knowin' where I stand
My father looms above me
For him there is no rest
My mothers arms enfold me
And hold me to her breast
They say you been out wanderin'
They say you travelled far
Sit down young stranger
And tell us who you are
The room has all gone misty
My thoughts are all in spin
Sit down young stranger
And tell us where you been
Well, I've been up to the mountain
I've walked down by the sea
I never questioned no one
And no one questioned me
My love was given freely
And oftimes was returned
I never came to borrow
I only came to learn
Sometimes it did get lonely
But it taught me how to cry
And laughter came too easy
For life to pass me by
I never had a dollar
That I didn't earn with pride
'Cause I had a million daydreams
To keep me satisfied
And will you gather daydreams
Or will you gather wealth
How can you find your fortune
When you cannot find yourself?
My mothers eyes grow misty
There's a tremblin' in her hand
Sit down young stranger
I do not understand
And will you try and tell us
You've been too long at school
That knowledge is not needed
That power does not rule
That war is not the answer
That young men should not die
Sit down young stranger
I wait for your reply
The answer is not easy
For souls are not reborn
To wear the crown of peace
You must wear the crown of thorns
If Jesus, had a reason
I'm sure He would not tell
They treated Him so badly
How could He wish them well
The parlor now is empty
There's nothin' left to say
My father has departed
My mothers gone to pray
There's rockets in the meadows
And ships out on the sea
The answers in the forest
Are carved upon a tree
John loves Mary
Does anyone love me?
My head bowed in my hands
Not knowin' where to sit
Not knowin' where I stand
My father looms above me
For him there is no rest
My mothers arms enfold me
And hold me to her breast
They say you been out wanderin'
They say you travelled far
Sit down young stranger
And tell us who you are
The room has all gone misty
My thoughts are all in spin
Sit down young stranger
And tell us where you been
Well, I've been up to the mountain
I've walked down by the sea
I never questioned no one
And no one questioned me
My love was given freely
And oftimes was returned
I never came to borrow
I only came to learn
Sometimes it did get lonely
But it taught me how to cry
And laughter came too easy
For life to pass me by
I never had a dollar
That I didn't earn with pride
'Cause I had a million daydreams
To keep me satisfied
And will you gather daydreams
Or will you gather wealth
How can you find your fortune
When you cannot find yourself?
My mothers eyes grow misty
There's a tremblin' in her hand
Sit down young stranger
I do not understand
And will you try and tell us
You've been too long at school
That knowledge is not needed
That power does not rule
That war is not the answer
That young men should not die
Sit down young stranger
I wait for your reply
The answer is not easy
For souls are not reborn
To wear the crown of peace
You must wear the crown of thorns
If Jesus, had a reason
I'm sure He would not tell
They treated Him so badly
How could He wish them well
The parlor now is empty
There's nothin' left to say
My father has departed
My mothers gone to pray
There's rockets in the meadows
And ships out on the sea
The answers in the forest
Are carved upon a tree
John loves Mary
Does anyone love me?
Lyrics submitted by ButNeverOutgunned
Sit Down Young Stranger Lyrics as written by Gordon Lightfoot
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
@Angus I’ve heard this interpretation before, and I could see GL writing such a song, but haven’t been able to see it in the lyrics. To me it sounds like a conversation between a wandering son having come home, and his parents; a generation gap song like Cat Stevens’ Father and Son.