"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.
Used to say that he had nothing
Except the friends down the block
When the lights go out on better days
You’ve forgotten what I lost
We all pay the price
Should we all pay the price
But we all pay the price
We all pay the price
When that fear becomes too much
You tell me if you need a friend alright
Cause when that fear becomes too much
Just tell me and I’ll be there
If an angel comes on better days
Oh likely I’d say
If the devil comes you’ll leave me
This will be written on his hand
We all pay the price
We all pay the price
We all name the price
We all pay the price
So when that fear becomes too much
You tell me if you need a friend, alright
Cause when that fear becomes too much
You tell me if you need a friend, alright
It’s alright to run away
It’s alright to run away
It’s alright to run away
It’s alright to run away
They don’t, they don’t know anything
They don’t know anything
Please don’t leave me here alone
Please don’t let me wait
Don’t let me wait again
No you don’t know
No don’t let me wait
No don’t let me wait
Just don’t (when that fear becomes too much )
Let me wait too long, please
When that fear becomes too much
(If I ever get you with me)
No don’t believe everything you hear
(It's only if you can wait..its only if you can wait..)
Don’t believe everything you hear…
(It's only if you can wait..it's only if you can wait..)
Now he’s on his feet again
The world looks down and to pretend he’s gone
(It's only if you can...it's only if you can wait..)
Now he’s on his feet again
The world looks down and to pretend he’s gone
Except the friends down the block
When the lights go out on better days
You’ve forgotten what I lost
We all pay the price
Should we all pay the price
But we all pay the price
We all pay the price
When that fear becomes too much
You tell me if you need a friend alright
Cause when that fear becomes too much
Just tell me and I’ll be there
If an angel comes on better days
Oh likely I’d say
If the devil comes you’ll leave me
This will be written on his hand
We all pay the price
We all pay the price
We all name the price
We all pay the price
So when that fear becomes too much
You tell me if you need a friend, alright
Cause when that fear becomes too much
You tell me if you need a friend, alright
It’s alright to run away
It’s alright to run away
It’s alright to run away
It’s alright to run away
They don’t, they don’t know anything
They don’t know anything
Please don’t leave me here alone
Please don’t let me wait
Don’t let me wait again
No you don’t know
No don’t let me wait
No don’t let me wait
Just don’t (when that fear becomes too much )
Let me wait too long, please
When that fear becomes too much
(If I ever get you with me)
No don’t believe everything you hear
(It's only if you can wait..its only if you can wait..)
Don’t believe everything you hear…
(It's only if you can wait..it's only if you can wait..)
Now he’s on his feet again
The world looks down and to pretend he’s gone
(It's only if you can...it's only if you can wait..)
Now he’s on his feet again
The world looks down and to pretend he’s gone
Lyrics submitted by skinnyjeanskorea
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.