"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.
don't try to hide the fact that kisses don't mean anything,
when all i wanted was an honest piece of land.
the further out west we get the less i can look back.
i'm sorry, i just thought you'd understand.
tie this rope around my neck, this is where we've come on broken legs,
do you think my throat will break my fall? do you...?
leave me for dead or worse, it hurts to know you know i can't sleep,
as if i ever did.
I'd love to be your shadow, I'd love to be your silhouette.
"...ashes, ashes, we all fall down."
you've got me under lock and key,
tonight i'm singing you to sleep.
i'll be the sound that sends you off to dream. (ashes, ashes.)
i'll be the waves that you can't breathe,
the sand that settles your bare feet.
i'll play the ocean if you're my beach.
I'd love to be your shadow, I'd love to be your silhouette.
"...ashes, ashes, we all fall down."
I can't wait to be your shadow.
Choking on every word
caught in my throat, such decadent thoughts.
Deeper down on a lure,
what are we more than liars and sluts?
I'd love to be your shadow, I'd love to be your silhouette.
"...ashes, ashes, we all fall down."
I can't wait to be your shadow.
when all i wanted was an honest piece of land.
the further out west we get the less i can look back.
i'm sorry, i just thought you'd understand.
tie this rope around my neck, this is where we've come on broken legs,
do you think my throat will break my fall? do you...?
leave me for dead or worse, it hurts to know you know i can't sleep,
as if i ever did.
I'd love to be your shadow, I'd love to be your silhouette.
"...ashes, ashes, we all fall down."
you've got me under lock and key,
tonight i'm singing you to sleep.
i'll be the sound that sends you off to dream. (ashes, ashes.)
i'll be the waves that you can't breathe,
the sand that settles your bare feet.
i'll play the ocean if you're my beach.
I'd love to be your shadow, I'd love to be your silhouette.
"...ashes, ashes, we all fall down."
I can't wait to be your shadow.
Choking on every word
caught in my throat, such decadent thoughts.
Deeper down on a lure,
what are we more than liars and sluts?
I'd love to be your shadow, I'd love to be your silhouette.
"...ashes, ashes, we all fall down."
I can't wait to be your shadow.
Lyrics submitted by takin*bak*sunday
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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,
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.
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/
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.
It sounds like a relationship gone bad. The point of view is of one who seems to either want to bring back the relationship or be a slave to the other person. It reminds me of a meaning from another song about the way some girls use their appeal to take advantage of men. It seems something similar is happening here... I could be completely wrong, of course...