"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.
She doesn't like the tough guys
They think that they can do anything they please
But they're gonna get a surprise
When she brings them to their knees
'Cause she doesn't like the rough guys
They think they can have any girl they choose
They've got tricks but my baby got wise
So in case you haven't heard the news
She doesn't like the tough guys
She doesn't like the rough guys
So find some one you own size
'Cause she's not afraid of you
She doesn't like the tough guys
She says that they've got brains all where they sit
They think they're full of fire
She thinks they're full of shit
She doesn't like the tough guys
She doesn't like the rough guys
She's gonna call your bluff guys
And you better believe it's true
She don't like you
She doesn't like the tough guys
They think that they can do anything they please
But they're gonna get a surprise
When she brings them to their knees
'Cause she doesn't like the rough guys
They think they can have any girl they choose
They've got tricks but my baby got wise
So in case you haven't heard the news
She doesn't like the tough guys
She doesn't like the rough guys
So find some one you own size
'Cause she's not afraid of you
She doesn't like the rough guys
She said she heard enough lies
She's gonna call your bluff guys
And you better believe it's true
Tough guys tough guys
Ooh get along tough guys
You might has gone forget it
Tough guys
Oh you know you know she love me better
Tough guys tough guys
They think that they can do anything they please
But they're gonna get a surprise
When she brings them to their knees
'Cause she doesn't like the rough guys
They think they can have any girl they choose
They've got tricks but my baby got wise
So in case you haven't heard the news
She doesn't like the tough guys
She doesn't like the rough guys
So find some one you own size
'Cause she's not afraid of you
She doesn't like the tough guys
She says that they've got brains all where they sit
They think they're full of fire
She thinks they're full of shit
She doesn't like the tough guys
She doesn't like the rough guys
She's gonna call your bluff guys
And you better believe it's true
She don't like you
She doesn't like the tough guys
They think that they can do anything they please
But they're gonna get a surprise
When she brings them to their knees
'Cause she doesn't like the rough guys
They think they can have any girl they choose
They've got tricks but my baby got wise
So in case you haven't heard the news
She doesn't like the tough guys
She doesn't like the rough guys
So find some one you own size
'Cause she's not afraid of you
She doesn't like the rough guys
She said she heard enough lies
She's gonna call your bluff guys
And you better believe it's true
Tough guys tough guys
Ooh get along tough guys
You might has gone forget it
Tough guys
Oh you know you know she love me better
Tough guys tough guys
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
This is just a hugely underrated song. Can Gary Richrath freaking play guitar? Can Kevin Cronin sing with the energy of a live performance in the studio? I've always thought REO is a very underrated band for all the good stuff you hardly ever heard on the rado. Tough Guys is a great example. Completely forgotten off Hi Infidelity, but a great song. The meaning? Duh. She doesn't like the tough guys!