"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.
Now from a tribe called Quest
And I'm here tonight with The Jungle Brothers
And we're about to get into this thing called
Black is black is black is black
Yeah (uh-huh oh, baby)
Said yeah (ah hah)
Black is black is black is black
In America today, I have to regret to say
Something, something is not right
And it deals with black and white
Tell me Mike G is it me?
Nah, it's just society
Filled with propaganda, huh!
Why do we meander, huh?
In a zone with hate for peace
All of this B.S must cease
All I am is one black man
In a mighty big white hand
Brother brother, sister sister
If you're Miss or if you're Mister
Listen please to this fact
Black is black is black is black
Black is black is black is black
Black is black is black is black
Way back when in '68
When brothers didn't have it great
They fought back with civil rights
That scarred the soul, it took the sight
The common foe you plainly see
On the streets or on TV
Segregation was the king
Vietnam was full in swing
Martin Luther had to shout
"Let's get out, get out, get out"
The situation sort of changed
But what really makes matters strange
Is our foe is well disguised
We don't know where our fate lies
Still and all we cannot lack
The fact that black is black is black
Black is black, is black, is black
Black is black, is black, is black
Judged by both my race and color
Don't you know we need each other?
I need you and you need me
And if not now you soon will see
My light complexion has no meaning
If you think so you're still dreaming
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
There's no time for us to break up
Black is black not blue or purple
Being black is like a circle
Round and round we all will go
Where we end up I don't know, listen to me if you will
Your fantasies will get you killed
Reality is what is real, reality is black is black
I try, try to tell my people,
We all are one, created equal
Before we master, we must plan
Is that so hard to understand?
Today's the day we get together
To try to change and make things better
If not where will we be tomorrow?
Drowning in the pool of sorrow
Daylight shines but still few see
That we must fight for unity
In a picture that's fixed is black and white
Why's it both that have to fight?
Uplift the race, uplift the race
See my soul and not my face
All for one and one for all
Black is black, that's right y'all
(Black is black, is black, is black
Is black, is black, is black
Black is black, is black, is black
Is black, is black, is black
Black is black, is black, is black
Is black, is black, is black)
And I'm here tonight with The Jungle Brothers
And we're about to get into this thing called
Black is black is black is black
Yeah (uh-huh oh, baby)
Said yeah (ah hah)
Black is black is black is black
In America today, I have to regret to say
Something, something is not right
And it deals with black and white
Tell me Mike G is it me?
Nah, it's just society
Filled with propaganda, huh!
Why do we meander, huh?
In a zone with hate for peace
All of this B.S must cease
All I am is one black man
In a mighty big white hand
Brother brother, sister sister
If you're Miss or if you're Mister
Listen please to this fact
Black is black is black is black
Black is black is black is black
Black is black is black is black
Way back when in '68
When brothers didn't have it great
They fought back with civil rights
That scarred the soul, it took the sight
The common foe you plainly see
On the streets or on TV
Segregation was the king
Vietnam was full in swing
Martin Luther had to shout
"Let's get out, get out, get out"
The situation sort of changed
But what really makes matters strange
Is our foe is well disguised
We don't know where our fate lies
Still and all we cannot lack
The fact that black is black is black
Black is black, is black, is black
Black is black, is black, is black
Judged by both my race and color
Don't you know we need each other?
I need you and you need me
And if not now you soon will see
My light complexion has no meaning
If you think so you're still dreaming
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
There's no time for us to break up
Black is black not blue or purple
Being black is like a circle
Round and round we all will go
Where we end up I don't know, listen to me if you will
Your fantasies will get you killed
Reality is what is real, reality is black is black
I try, try to tell my people,
We all are one, created equal
Before we master, we must plan
Is that so hard to understand?
Today's the day we get together
To try to change and make things better
If not where will we be tomorrow?
Drowning in the pool of sorrow
Daylight shines but still few see
That we must fight for unity
In a picture that's fixed is black and white
Why's it both that have to fight?
Uplift the race, uplift the race
See my soul and not my face
All for one and one for all
Black is black, that's right y'all
(Black is black, is black, is black
Is black, is black, is black
Black is black, is black, is black
Is black, is black, is black
Black is black, is black, is black
Is black, is black, is black)
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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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.
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.
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.
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.