"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.
Right away, great captain
I'll go where you need me
The banks of the north shore
Or the hills I'll go fleeting.
Just give me a minute to tell my wife good bye,
I loved her so dearly but its time to take real flight.
On a dark desert road
Or a middle sized fake show you lead me to.
(Its so dark in there)
Well, right away, great captain
I'll surely leave everything
God bless I love you
But God you mean more to me
Than any three hole punched fake scripture could come from me
Just know that I love you
But love's such a simile.
For pearl gates of gold
I will do my best to meet you there half way
Or the whole way.
On a high way you know
Where the ending will take place so beautifully
So beautifully
So beautifully
Right away, great captain
I'll go where you want me to.
Don't make it much harder
Than what I have gone through
If you've got your systems I'll tear down these walls
You haven't seen devils 'til you've seen them all.
You've gotta be strong
Or I'll take it back, if you want me to.
On a highway you know
I will do my best to meet you there.
So please don't leave me,
Please don't leave me,
Please don't leave me.
I wish you'd say please don't leave me,
And I wish you'd say please don't leave me,
And I wish you'd say please don't leave me,
And I wish you'd say please don't leave me,
And I wish you'd say please don't leave me,
But darling I am leaving.
I'll go where you need me
The banks of the north shore
Or the hills I'll go fleeting.
Just give me a minute to tell my wife good bye,
I loved her so dearly but its time to take real flight.
On a dark desert road
Or a middle sized fake show you lead me to.
(Its so dark in there)
Well, right away, great captain
I'll surely leave everything
God bless I love you
But God you mean more to me
Than any three hole punched fake scripture could come from me
Just know that I love you
But love's such a simile.
For pearl gates of gold
I will do my best to meet you there half way
Or the whole way.
On a high way you know
Where the ending will take place so beautifully
So beautifully
So beautifully
Right away, great captain
I'll go where you want me to.
Don't make it much harder
Than what I have gone through
If you've got your systems I'll tear down these walls
You haven't seen devils 'til you've seen them all.
You've gotta be strong
Or I'll take it back, if you want me to.
On a highway you know
I will do my best to meet you there.
So please don't leave me,
Please don't leave me,
Please don't leave me.
I wish you'd say please don't leave me,
And I wish you'd say please don't leave me,
And I wish you'd say please don't leave me,
And I wish you'd say please don't leave me,
And I wish you'd say please don't leave me,
But darling I am leaving.
Lyrics submitted by measure3three, edited by Mellow_Harsher, Andrewmat
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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Dusty Springfield
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"'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/
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Ed Sheeran
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He's not talking about God. The wording is kind of confusing. It'd be like he was saying, "But, God, You mean more to me." The word God is a pause, like its hard to find the words because the feeling is so intense. Its like "But, damn, you mean more to me, than any three hole punched fake scripture could come from me." It is talking about writing though. Cause in "Captain I'm Fine, and Thank You for Everything." He talks about how he still writes. Its just saying he loves his wife more than anything he could possibly put on the page.