"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.
Call in the air strike, tell them to make the drop
Initiate a cycle no one but you can stop
Would it be fair to say that you're in love with love?
And is that enough?
I bet you feel really potent stuff
The shadows of doubt on how things turn out are typically gray
But even the stopped clock on the wall is right two times a day
And it's still enough
Just how much distance means we're on our own?
And can we be happy, happy alone?
The universe opens up the door
And we go right in, it's there, it's new, it's cool
It's something we ain't seen before
And five minutes in, an egg timer rings
To clip off our carefree flapping wings
Show us the things we can't afford then throw us overboard
But it's still enough
Just how much distance means we're on our own?
Until I see you off at home, down the sidewalk in my head
I might be sinking like a stone, but perfectly happy, just openly happy
In my heart I've always known, I gotta be happy alone
So burn my mail, destroy the phone, yeah, I'd rather be happy alone
The moving sky, the rocks below all so perfectly happy alone
Our little hearts have turned to stone, it better be happy all alone
Initiate a cycle no one but you can stop
Would it be fair to say that you're in love with love?
And is that enough?
I bet you feel really potent stuff
The shadows of doubt on how things turn out are typically gray
But even the stopped clock on the wall is right two times a day
And it's still enough
Just how much distance means we're on our own?
And can we be happy, happy alone?
The universe opens up the door
And we go right in, it's there, it's new, it's cool
It's something we ain't seen before
And five minutes in, an egg timer rings
To clip off our carefree flapping wings
Show us the things we can't afford then throw us overboard
But it's still enough
Just how much distance means we're on our own?
Until I see you off at home, down the sidewalk in my head
I might be sinking like a stone, but perfectly happy, just openly happy
In my heart I've always known, I gotta be happy alone
So burn my mail, destroy the phone, yeah, I'd rather be happy alone
The moving sky, the rocks below all so perfectly happy alone
Our little hearts have turned to stone, it better be happy all alone
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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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
this is a beautiful song, i think it would be safe to say it's my favorite earlimart song. fall poetaster's interpretation is fantastic, i totally think there's more to the song than just a breakup/relationship deal too.
anyway, i don't think those lyrics are correct, this is what i hear them to be. i don't think these are 100% right either, though...
Call in the airstrike, tell them to make the drop Initiate a cycle no one but you can stop Would it be fair to say that you're in love with love? And is that enough?
I bet you feel really potent (important?) stuff the shadows of doubt on how things turn out are typically gray
But even the stopped clock on the wall is right two times a day
and it's still unknown
Just how much distance means we're on our own? and can we be happy Happy alone?
The universe opens up the door and we go right in, it's there, it's new, it's cool it's something we ain't seen before
And five minutes in an egg timer rings to clip off our carefree flapping wings show us the things we can't afford and throw us overboard
but it's still unknown
Just how much distance means we're on our own? until i see you walking home down the sidewalk in my head I might be sinking like a stone but perfectly happy just openly happy (this line might be correct, i always though she was saying "disturbingly happy" but "just openly happy" makes sense too. i'm not sure about this part.)
In my heart, I've always known I gotta be happy alone so burn the mail, destroy the phone yeah, I'd rather be happy alone the moving sky, the rocks below All seem perfectly happy alone
Our little hearts have turned to stone I'd better be happy alone.