"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.
Dallas was a roughneck, bad as he could be,
But no one ever knew it cept the likes of me.
Bad boy, bad boy
Bad boy, bad bot
He was the baddest boy I had ever seen
Hed take me down with one look, put me on the ground,
Hold me by my hearstrings and whip me all around.
Bad boy, bad boy
Bad boy, bad boy
He was that baddest boy boy, that boy was mean.
Let me tell ya, he didnt need a gun, he didnt need a knife,
Cause I couldnt run once he barged into my life.
Robbed me of my senses, got me takin chances
God that boy was handsome, and you should see him dance
Bad boy, bad boy
He was the baddest boy I had ever seen.
Oh, Dallas plays it sweet with everyone but me,
Boy hes got em good and fooled and thats just fine with me.
Cause Im a bad girl, bad girl
And oh, that bah boy, he made the worse girl out of me
I was a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad ,bad, bad boy
I was a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad ,bad, bad boy
Outro
But no one ever knew it cept the likes of me.
Bad boy, bad boy
Bad boy, bad bot
He was the baddest boy I had ever seen
Hed take me down with one look, put me on the ground,
Hold me by my hearstrings and whip me all around.
Bad boy, bad boy
Bad boy, bad boy
He was that baddest boy boy, that boy was mean.
Let me tell ya, he didnt need a gun, he didnt need a knife,
Cause I couldnt run once he barged into my life.
Robbed me of my senses, got me takin chances
God that boy was handsome, and you should see him dance
Bad boy, bad boy
He was the baddest boy I had ever seen.
Oh, Dallas plays it sweet with everyone but me,
Boy hes got em good and fooled and thats just fine with me.
Cause Im a bad girl, bad girl
And oh, that bah boy, he made the worse girl out of me
I was a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad ,bad, bad boy
I was a bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad ,bad, bad boy
Outro
Lyrics submitted by LMB228
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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/