"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 I need
Is water and headphones
Those things are my staples
What I live and breathe
Life is just
So much more sensible
Measured in decibels
There's nothing to see
What you might call solitude
Is something I look forward to
You're lucky I have
This outlet of mine
Keeping me sane
'Cause after the fight
I really thought about killing you
I really thought about killing you
All I need
Is water and headphones
I'm being as literal
As I can be
That means you
Fall under optional
Another obstacle
In front of me
Today I'll buy something new
What's left to listen to?
You're lucky I have
This outlet of mine
Keeping me sane
'Cause after the fight
I really thought about killing you
I really thought about killing you
Is water and headphones
Those things are my staples
What I live and breathe
Life is just
So much more sensible
Measured in decibels
There's nothing to see
What you might call solitude
Is something I look forward to
You're lucky I have
This outlet of mine
Keeping me sane
'Cause after the fight
I really thought about killing you
I really thought about killing you
All I need
Is water and headphones
I'm being as literal
As I can be
That means you
Fall under optional
Another obstacle
In front of me
Today I'll buy something new
What's left to listen to?
You're lucky I have
This outlet of mine
Keeping me sane
'Cause after the fight
I really thought about killing you
I really thought about killing you
Lyrics submitted by thebutcheress
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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.
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.
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.
I am loving this band right now.
This harks back to my teenage years for me, how listening to music was an outlet for all sorts of emotions - the one highlighted in the song as anger. Kind of saying you pissed me off so I went home, jumped in the bath and put some music on to calm me down and you are just lucky I can do that otherwise I might have kicked your teeth in.