"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.
All around I see raining
Things don't seem to go my way
God a dark cloud is hanging
And it seems to follow me
Boy, won't you just wake up
Hear the humming
This cool world is giving you
Better start running
Catch up with your life
I catch on up
Before the whole thing is through
Have you once have you twice
Have you even considered
It would be good for you
To gotta go and take another look around
You are just another white boy
Thinking your so hardcore
Go take a step out side and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step out side and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step out side and see what's shaking in the real world
But you don't know how my heart laments
I've really got a good excuse to complain
My parents got divorced can't heal the pain
Now there is only cheap regrets
I guess that's just the way it be
Is it the world, oh how I see me?
Boy now you are really
Really bugging
Yes you are bugging me
Can't you just shut right up
Your cup is overflowing
Overflowing
And you think it is too deep
You don't even know what side
You are vouching for
Boy would you turn your Game-boy off
Stop pretending it's you against the world
I am sick and I am tired
Of hearing you always say
I really got a good excuse to complain
My parents got divorced can't heal the pain
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
Things don't seem to go my way
God a dark cloud is hanging
And it seems to follow me
Boy, won't you just wake up
Hear the humming
This cool world is giving you
Better start running
Catch up with your life
I catch on up
Before the whole thing is through
Have you once have you twice
Have you even considered
It would be good for you
To gotta go and take another look around
You are just another white boy
Thinking your so hardcore
Go take a step out side and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step out side and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step out side and see what's shaking in the real world
But you don't know how my heart laments
I've really got a good excuse to complain
My parents got divorced can't heal the pain
Now there is only cheap regrets
I guess that's just the way it be
Is it the world, oh how I see me?
Boy now you are really
Really bugging
Yes you are bugging me
Can't you just shut right up
Your cup is overflowing
Overflowing
And you think it is too deep
You don't even know what side
You are vouching for
Boy would you turn your Game-boy off
Stop pretending it's you against the world
I am sick and I am tired
Of hearing you always say
I really got a good excuse to complain
My parents got divorced can't heal the pain
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
Go take a step outside and see what's shaking in the real world
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More Featured Meanings
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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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.
Its about EMO Kids
not really i could be about a number of people not just Emo's like this song fits me but i am not emo at all No way!!!