"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.
Won't you let me give you a hand?
I have an extra I'm not using
Won't you let me lighten your load?
I mean after all your legs are shaking
And I can understand
All I need is your hand
Oh, won't you take the fall?
It is me after all
Won't you let me match your stride?
I can slow down if you want to
We can handle it side by side
What do you say girl, don't you want to?
And I can understand
All I need is your hand
Oh, won't you take the fall?
It is me after all
I'd be lying if I ran away
I'd be lying if I ran away
And so I'll stay
But won't you let me be your man?
I'm strong enough you know that I can
Be the one to ease your mind
Ease your mind
And I can understand
All I need is your hand
Oh, won't you take the fall?
It is me after all
I'd be lying if I ran away
I'd be lying if I ran away
And so I'll stay
Won't you let me give you a hand?
I have an extra I'm not using
Won't you let me lighten your load?
I mean after all your legs are shaking
And I can understand
All I need is your hand
Oh, won't you take the fall?
It is me after all
And I can understand
All I need is your hand
Oh, won't you take the fall?
It is me after all
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
(I'd be lying if I ran away)
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
(I'd be lying if I ran away)
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
I have an extra I'm not using
Won't you let me lighten your load?
I mean after all your legs are shaking
And I can understand
All I need is your hand
Oh, won't you take the fall?
It is me after all
Won't you let me match your stride?
I can slow down if you want to
We can handle it side by side
What do you say girl, don't you want to?
And I can understand
All I need is your hand
Oh, won't you take the fall?
It is me after all
I'd be lying if I ran away
I'd be lying if I ran away
And so I'll stay
But won't you let me be your man?
I'm strong enough you know that I can
Be the one to ease your mind
Ease your mind
And I can understand
All I need is your hand
Oh, won't you take the fall?
It is me after all
I'd be lying if I ran away
I'd be lying if I ran away
And so I'll stay
Won't you let me give you a hand?
I have an extra I'm not using
Won't you let me lighten your load?
I mean after all your legs are shaking
And I can understand
All I need is your hand
Oh, won't you take the fall?
It is me after all
And I can understand
All I need is your hand
Oh, won't you take the fall?
It is me after all
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
(I'd be lying if I ran away)
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
(I'd be lying if I ran away)
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
There is not much that you can do
To get me to run away from you
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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”
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Love love LOVE this song.
Especially the lined "it is me after all"...a message of familiarity, asking the girl to take that extra leap of faith.