"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.
This is the clock upon the wall
This is the story of us all
This is the first sound of a newborn child
Before he starts to crawl
This is the war that's never won
This is a soldier and his gun
This is the mother waiting by the phone
Praying for her son
Chorus:
Pictures of you
Pictures of me
Hung upon your wall for the world to see
Pictures of you
Pictures of me
Remind us all of what we used to be
There is a drug that cures it all
Blocked by the governmental wall
We are the scientists inside the lab
Just waiting for the call
This earthquake weather has got me shaking inside
I'm high up and dry
Chorus:
Pictures of you
Pictures of me
Hung upon your wall for the world to see
Pictures of you
[Pictures of you]
Pictures of me
Remind us all of what we used to be
Bridge:
Confess to me
Every secret moment
Every stolen promise you believed
Confess to me
All that lies between us
All that lies between you and me
We are the boxers in the ring
We are the bells that never sing
There is a title we can't win no matter
How hard we might swing
Chorus:
Pictures of you
[Pictures of you]
Pictures of me
Hung upon your wall for the world to see
Pictures of you
{Pictures of you]
Pictures of me
[Of me]
Remind us all of what we could have been
[Could have been]
Pictures of you
[Pictures of you]
Pictures of me
Hung upon your wall for the world to see
[World to see]
Pictures of you
Pictures of me
Remind us all of what we could have been
[Could have been]
Could have been
We could have been
[Could have been]
Pictures of you
[Pictures of you]
Pictures of me
[Of me]
Remind us all of what we could have been
[Could have been]
Could have been
This is the story of us all
This is the first sound of a newborn child
Before he starts to crawl
This is the war that's never won
This is a soldier and his gun
This is the mother waiting by the phone
Praying for her son
Chorus:
Pictures of you
Pictures of me
Hung upon your wall for the world to see
Pictures of you
Pictures of me
Remind us all of what we used to be
There is a drug that cures it all
Blocked by the governmental wall
We are the scientists inside the lab
Just waiting for the call
This earthquake weather has got me shaking inside
I'm high up and dry
Chorus:
Pictures of you
Pictures of me
Hung upon your wall for the world to see
Pictures of you
[Pictures of you]
Pictures of me
Remind us all of what we used to be
Bridge:
Confess to me
Every secret moment
Every stolen promise you believed
Confess to me
All that lies between us
All that lies between you and me
We are the boxers in the ring
We are the bells that never sing
There is a title we can't win no matter
How hard we might swing
Chorus:
Pictures of you
[Pictures of you]
Pictures of me
Hung upon your wall for the world to see
Pictures of you
{Pictures of you]
Pictures of me
[Of me]
Remind us all of what we could have been
[Could have been]
Pictures of you
[Pictures of you]
Pictures of me
Hung upon your wall for the world to see
[World to see]
Pictures of you
Pictures of me
Remind us all of what we could have been
[Could have been]
Could have been
We could have been
[Could have been]
Pictures of you
[Pictures of you]
Pictures of me
[Of me]
Remind us all of what we could have been
[Could have been]
Could have been
Lyrics submitted by XiAOBAOBEi
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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/
This song to me feels like a person who has waited so long for something/someone and has become accustomed to that waiting feeling. It is the dull feeling of coming so far... but still not getting that desired outcome. Like the hopeless in between, and yet feeling the reminiscent memories.
I could be completely wrong though, so I'd like to hear other opinions/interpretations.