"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.
Friends, near complete family
At times, they don't understand me
Birthday, Christmas they send all love
We both know, it's just not enough
I'd feel alive as part of a team
St. Pauli, hear me scream
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
She, can't say she loves me
Even though it's plain to see
I'm saying it to her
So she can say it back to me
Sometimes our phone isn't quite what it seems
I'd have companionship as part of a team
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
We are Hamburg school
Sorry if my accent's flawed
I learnt my German from a 7 inch record
Sorry if my accent's flawed
I learnt my German from a 7 inch record
Sorry if my accent's flawed
I learnt my German from a 7 inch record
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
The kids don't like it,
The kids don't like it
What else can we do when the kids don't like it
The kids don't like it,
The kids don't like it
What else can we do when the kids don't like it
yeah!
At times, they don't understand me
Birthday, Christmas they send all love
We both know, it's just not enough
I'd feel alive as part of a team
St. Pauli, hear me scream
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
She, can't say she loves me
Even though it's plain to see
I'm saying it to her
So she can say it back to me
Sometimes our phone isn't quite what it seems
I'd have companionship as part of a team
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
We are Hamburg school
Sorry if my accent's flawed
I learnt my German from a 7 inch record
Sorry if my accent's flawed
I learnt my German from a 7 inch record
Sorry if my accent's flawed
I learnt my German from a 7 inch record
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
Punk rock ist nicht tot!
The kids don't like it,
The kids don't like it
What else can we do when the kids don't like it
The kids don't like it,
The kids don't like it
What else can we do when the kids don't like it
yeah!
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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”
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.
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.
punk rock is not dead? ok, if art brut say so...
Art Brut are the best band ever.
"What else can we do when the kids don't like it" Got to be a reference to the Undertones song "Girls don't like it", right? There's so many classic punk references in Art Brut songs, it's fun to spot them all.
and that line was in "disco" by eddie's last band the art goblins.
I'm listening to Disco right now!
I love the line "We are Hamburg school"! For those of you not familiar with the German music scene (I don't blame you), it refers to the "Hamburger Schule", a music movement. The joke is that the bands usually said to belong to the Hamburger Schule (Blumfeld, Tocotronic, Die Sterne...) hate that lable and would never say "We are Hamburg school".
St. Pauli obviously refers to the district in Hamburg, as well as the football (soccer) club. But you probably already knew that... ;)
Oh wow, I totally misinterpreted this song! I heard it as 'Punk rock is nicht toll' meaning punk rock is not cool haha. I guess it's the opposite meaning :P
'Punk rock is nicht tod' is a great song by billy childish and i am sure it came out as 7" record...
It's about wanting to belong. Apparently, Eddie felt a bit alone in Germany and stumbled upon a large crowd of St.Pauli fans (probably on their way to a game?) and envied their comradeship. Introducing himself using the only German he knows (which he learnt from a 7" punk rock record) he attempts to ingratiate himself with them.