"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.
You did everything
I asked you not to
Look where it got you
I'm sure
You heard it before
But, how could you?
Baby, why would you?
[Bridge:]
Goodbye, sweetheart
Countdown started
Words are heavy
But I'm far from broken hearted
Goodbye stranger
I'll take the fall
Lies were tempting
You know you never really threw me off at all
[Chorus:]
Go ahead
Waste your time
Count me out
Take your place at the end of the line
Raise a glass
No surprise
Here's to us at the end of the line (Oh, yeah)
Here's to us at the end of the line (Oh, yeah)
I'll miss the version of you
Who loved me
And all that they don't see
You said you could be good
Somehow you're guilty
And you're not even sorry
[Bridge]
[Chorus x2]
I asked you not to
Look where it got you
I'm sure
You heard it before
But, how could you?
Baby, why would you?
[Bridge:]
Goodbye, sweetheart
Countdown started
Words are heavy
But I'm far from broken hearted
Goodbye stranger
I'll take the fall
Lies were tempting
You know you never really threw me off at all
[Chorus:]
Go ahead
Waste your time
Count me out
Take your place at the end of the line
Raise a glass
No surprise
Here's to us at the end of the line (Oh, yeah)
Here's to us at the end of the line (Oh, yeah)
I'll miss the version of you
Who loved me
And all that they don't see
You said you could be good
Somehow you're guilty
And you're not even sorry
[Bridge]
[Chorus x2]
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Fast Car
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Dusty Springfield
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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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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 agree with you reb 809, i really think he had affairs before her (I'm sure you heard it before But how could you) and she knew her turn was coming (Countdown started) so it was her way of letting know its over.
The first line in the last verse is "I miss the version of you". Not "I'm a messed version of you".
ugh i fucking LOVE this song... best song off her new CD by a mile. i especially love the lines: I miss the version of you who loved me and all that they don't see You said you could be good but somehow you're guilty and you're not even sorry
i agree t dot - this is by far the best song
You said you could be good but somehow you're guilty and you're not even sorry
nearly brings me to tears it so powerful - mandy sings it with so much passion
This reminds me of a guy at work who I really liked but who wasn't doing well and was on the verge of being sacked. I told him what he needed to do in order to keep his job and he basically did the opposite (not to spite me but because he was messed up and incapable of doing what I'd told him). Still makes me sad now he's gone :(
Anyways! Mandy's version is very sad, but in a resigned way: she knew it was coming I think, and so was almost expecting it, even though she warned him of the consequences of his actions. She realises she never really knew him ("goodbye stranger") and is putting on a brave face to him ("you never really threw me off", "I'm far from broken-hearted").
I also love the line: "I miss the version of you...", suggesting that in the beginning it was very different and he truly seemed to love her, including the very private side of her that she had never usually lets people see. This suggests that the fact that she has resigned herself to their fate has only come later, when the bad side of him has shown through. I think she raises her glass to it knowing that the time has come to break up and it is the best thing for her.
PS do you think that it's called "Ladies' Choice" because her ex was having affairs? (and therefore he was the choice of other ladies?) The colon suggests the plural of ladies. Let me know if you have any insights!!
the name of the song "ladies choice" reminds me of like old fashioned dances where the guys lined up and ladies got to choose. like in the song she says "Take your place at the end of the line, Raise your glass". almost like she's saying that hes not worth picking, cause he didnt want to take the time in the relationship to do things right so she's not going to anymore