"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.
My love explodes all over the world for you, yeah you
My love explodes in diamonds and pearls for you, just you
When the straight plastic bowler men
Grab your soul and pull you down down down
Call my name on your dream telephone
Catch a saucer and I'll be around
Blow 'em out of town
My love explodes
My love explodes like the stars up in space for you, yeah you
My love explodes with the whole human race for you, just you
When the walls are all closing in
And your paradise goes wrong wrong wrong
Spell my name on your pillow tonight
Catch a rainbow and I'll be along
Singing coloured songs
My love explodes
I've got people billions of people
Waiting here for bliss
All it takes to free these people
Is the power of a kiss, my love explodes
My love explodes all over the world for you, yeah you
My love explodes in diamonds and pearls for you, just you
My love explodes
My love explodes in diamonds and pearls for you, just you
When the straight plastic bowler men
Grab your soul and pull you down down down
Call my name on your dream telephone
Catch a saucer and I'll be around
Blow 'em out of town
My love explodes
My love explodes like the stars up in space for you, yeah you
My love explodes with the whole human race for you, just you
When the walls are all closing in
And your paradise goes wrong wrong wrong
Spell my name on your pillow tonight
Catch a rainbow and I'll be along
Singing coloured songs
My love explodes
I've got people billions of people
Waiting here for bliss
All it takes to free these people
Is the power of a kiss, my love explodes
My love explodes all over the world for you, yeah you
My love explodes in diamonds and pearls for you, just you
My love explodes
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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/
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.
The "review" at the end:
"That is the most obscene abomination, that is dirt, that is filth, that is trash. What possessed you to write such a disgusting, degeneratised song as that? And I'm complimenting you by considering it a song!"
Always makes me chuckle.
I think the song is a reference to ejaculation.