"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.
They stood just inside the walls of the fortress
And looked out upon an endless sea of ice
At first the only sound was of burning torches
But another sound was rising
That of thousands of souls groaning in bitter agony
Trapped just below the surface and awakened by the presence of fire
The sound of the souls crying out for rebirth continued to grow
It became deafening and caused all of the men there
To fall on their knees
They drove their torches into the ground and watched as the ice began to melt away
The enemy’s grasp was broken by the power of fire
And a great multitude of souls were reclaimed from the ice
But there were many others that did not respond
To the presence of fire
They remained frozen
Enslaved in darkness
Forever
Epilogue (6:55)
When the mountains crumble into the sea
When the stars fall from the heavens and scorch the earth
Then every knee will bow before the flame
And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
Forever
And looked out upon an endless sea of ice
At first the only sound was of burning torches
But another sound was rising
That of thousands of souls groaning in bitter agony
Trapped just below the surface and awakened by the presence of fire
The sound of the souls crying out for rebirth continued to grow
It became deafening and caused all of the men there
To fall on their knees
They drove their torches into the ground and watched as the ice began to melt away
The enemy’s grasp was broken by the power of fire
And a great multitude of souls were reclaimed from the ice
But there were many others that did not respond
To the presence of fire
They remained frozen
Enslaved in darkness
Forever
Epilogue (6:55)
When the mountains crumble into the sea
When the stars fall from the heavens and scorch the earth
Then every knee will bow before the flame
And every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
Forever
Lyrics submitted by glab20
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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.
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.
This is the final section of the Physics of Fire songs. It shows an unsetteling view of those who refused to accept the fire, Jesus, into their life. It shows that Satan will be defeated by the power of Jesus. Unfortunately, there will still be those who will not accept the presence of fire, and will not accept the sacrafice of Jesus Christ in thier life. They will remain frozen in darkness for all of eternety. The epilouge is almost a direct quote from Phillipians 2:11.
Do you have the fire? We are all born frozen and chained by the bondage of sin. But there is hope, the enemy and the struggles of our lives can be defeated through the power of fire, the love of Jesus. We have a choice, to pick up our torches and to follow Jesus, or to spend an eternity frozen and in darkness forever. Jesus desires to be the fire in your life, burn out of the ice you were born in.
Amazing quadrilogy. Lyrically and musicall BTA's best stuff.
Peace from the Prince of it.
I love this song. And I love the whole theme that plays throughout the record. They did a very good job, and you explained exactly what this song means. Awesome stuff.
i think it can have a duel meaning .... i can also be about the christians that are lukewarm and aren't really follow in the leading of the holy spirit
This whole thing is amazing. I must spread it.
i think physics of fire must be one of the best albums every made. this the physics of fire songs (1234) are absolutely genius. i could cry. but ill just headbang.