"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.
I know my uses
I have my pride
But my heart is still untamed
I learned my lessons
I've conquered death
I go on and I'm unashamed
I'll paint your bones to match my eyes
They're the darkest I have ever seen
Until I'm lucid, I can't be told
I know my voices
They tell me to believe
Another fucking accident out of control
All the attitudes will never change
My imitations are leading the way
I can't accept that I still don't find this strange
In light of my ability to feel denial
I walk away from everything with just a smile
The agony of coming home has gone away
It's everywhere
It's everyone
It's every day
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
I beg your pardon
I'm out of the way
A new conspiracy has taken my place
So over and over, I smell the decay
Believe what you want to, the cycle stays the same
In light of my ability to undermine
I walk away from apathy, I'm feeling fine
The agony of cynicism beckons me
It's everywhere, it's everyone, it's everything
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
Let's, pretend, we're not at the end
Pretend, that we have nothing left
Let's, pretend, we're not at the end
Pretend, that we have nothing left
Let's, pretend, we're not at the end
Pretend, that we have nothing left
Let's, pretend, we're not at the end
Pretend, that we have nothing left
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
Let's, pretend, we're not at the end
Pretend, that we have nothing left
Let's, pretend, we're not at the end
Pretend, that we have nothing left
I have my pride
But my heart is still untamed
I learned my lessons
I've conquered death
I go on and I'm unashamed
I'll paint your bones to match my eyes
They're the darkest I have ever seen
Until I'm lucid, I can't be told
I know my voices
They tell me to believe
Another fucking accident out of control
All the attitudes will never change
My imitations are leading the way
I can't accept that I still don't find this strange
In light of my ability to feel denial
I walk away from everything with just a smile
The agony of coming home has gone away
It's everywhere
It's everyone
It's every day
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
I beg your pardon
I'm out of the way
A new conspiracy has taken my place
So over and over, I smell the decay
Believe what you want to, the cycle stays the same
In light of my ability to undermine
I walk away from apathy, I'm feeling fine
The agony of cynicism beckons me
It's everywhere, it's everyone, it's everything
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
Let's, pretend, we're not at the end
Pretend, that we have nothing left
Let's, pretend, we're not at the end
Pretend, that we have nothing left
Let's, pretend, we're not at the end
Pretend, that we have nothing left
Let's, pretend, we're not at the end
Pretend, that we have nothing left
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
Are you ready for the time of your life
Let's, pretend, we're not at the end
Pretend, that we have nothing left
Let's, pretend, we're not at the end
Pretend, that we have nothing left
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
bearerofgnomes... pardon me if you already knew this but... maybe thats because Corey Taylor's IN Stone Sour and he's brought back some of that influence with him to Slipknot. I've heard a little bit of stone sour in "Dead Memories", "Vendetta", the chorus of "Psychosocial", and "Snuff" Maybe that's just me, though.
Stay (sic)