"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.
Of part and parcel
So, well, we're already dead
Well, it's probably been said
That it's always been said
That
One wing isn't even enough
It isn't even enough
It isn't even enough
It isn't even enough
To leave
One wing isn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
To leave
I'm gonna shake myself right out the door
I'm gonna take myself when it's finally over
I'm gonna let my own bad self take over
I'm gonna move my arm out with my shoulder
And
One wing wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
To leave
One wing wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
To leave
One wing wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
To leave
First off, Gary was on trial, and drunk before we left bed
As things got better, was it hard to say that he had no idea?
Well, I hadn't noticed but the people really noticed that they really didn't want us around
So, we all just opened up our mouths and walked to this town
Well, I was walking just a little bit sideways, and you were walking sideways too
Well, I hadn't learned when a front door can be used
Here it goes now
We had darkened doors, so we didn't read what the sign read
Though simple enough, it was to me really tough; the ground needs to be fed
Well, I hadn't noticed, but the people really noticed that they didn't really want us around
So, not a single one of us will ever leave town
Here we go, sir
Our bodies were laid out
They were laid for fifteen yards
Well, two feet above each of our heads was a fly trapped in a jar
Well, I hadn't noticed, but the people really noticed that they really didn't want us around
So, every single one of us hit the ground
Here we go now
One wing wasn't even, uh
One wing wasn't even enough
Oh, pardon, pardon
So, well, it's already been said
That it's always been said that
We're already dead
So, well, we're already dead
Well, it's probably been said
That it's always been said
That
One wing isn't even enough
It isn't even enough
It isn't even enough
It isn't even enough
To leave
One wing isn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
To leave
I'm gonna shake myself right out the door
I'm gonna take myself when it's finally over
I'm gonna let my own bad self take over
I'm gonna move my arm out with my shoulder
And
One wing wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
To leave
One wing wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
To leave
One wing wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
It wasn't even enough
To leave
First off, Gary was on trial, and drunk before we left bed
As things got better, was it hard to say that he had no idea?
Well, I hadn't noticed but the people really noticed that they really didn't want us around
So, we all just opened up our mouths and walked to this town
Well, I was walking just a little bit sideways, and you were walking sideways too
Well, I hadn't learned when a front door can be used
Here it goes now
We had darkened doors, so we didn't read what the sign read
Though simple enough, it was to me really tough; the ground needs to be fed
Well, I hadn't noticed, but the people really noticed that they didn't really want us around
So, not a single one of us will ever leave town
Here we go, sir
Our bodies were laid out
They were laid for fifteen yards
Well, two feet above each of our heads was a fly trapped in a jar
Well, I hadn't noticed, but the people really noticed that they really didn't want us around
So, every single one of us hit the ground
Here we go now
One wing wasn't even, uh
One wing wasn't even enough
Oh, pardon, pardon
So, well, it's already been said
That it's always been said that
We're already dead
Lyrics submitted by modestmousenirvana, edited by sheionizes
Fly Trapped in a Jar Lyrics as written by Isaac Brock Eric Judy
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, SCHUBERT MUSIC PUBLISHING INC.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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/
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.
It was of part and parcel, not pardon pardon.