"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.
Will you think that you're all alone
When no one's there to hold your hand?
When all you know seems so far away
And everything is temporary, rest your head
I'm permanent
I'm permanent
Is this the moment where I look you in the eye?
Forgive my broken promise that you'll never see me cry
And everything, it will surely change even if I tell you I won't go away today
Will you think that you're all alone
When no one's there to hold your hand?
And all you know seems so far away and everything is temporary
Rest your head
I'm permanent
I know he's living in hell every single day
And so I ask, oh God is there some way for me to take his place
And when they say it's all touch and go
I wish I could make it go away
But still you say
Will you think that you're all alone
When no one's there to hold your hand?
When all you know seems so far away
And everything is temporary,
Rest your head
I'm permanent
I'm permanent
Is the moment where I look you in the eye?
Forgive my broken promise that you'll never see me cry.
When no one's there to hold your hand?
When all you know seems so far away
And everything is temporary, rest your head
I'm permanent
I'm permanent
Is this the moment where I look you in the eye?
Forgive my broken promise that you'll never see me cry
And everything, it will surely change even if I tell you I won't go away today
Will you think that you're all alone
When no one's there to hold your hand?
And all you know seems so far away and everything is temporary
Rest your head
I'm permanent
I know he's living in hell every single day
And so I ask, oh God is there some way for me to take his place
And when they say it's all touch and go
I wish I could make it go away
But still you say
Will you think that you're all alone
When no one's there to hold your hand?
When all you know seems so far away
And everything is temporary,
Rest your head
I'm permanent
I'm permanent
Is the moment where I look you in the eye?
Forgive my broken promise that you'll never see me cry.
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.
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/
This is a really good song. I've only heard a few from his new album so far, but of all of the ones I have heard, this one seems the most...personal. I'd love to knowo which songs he had the most influence in when they were written. It seems to me that he wrote the majority of this one because of the topic. I think this song references his brother's battle with cancer. He's telling his brother that even though his condition may be changing and he can be "ok" one day and "poor" the next, he will remain permanent and always be there for him. This is such a beautiful song...here's my interpretation of the lyrics:
Is this the moment where I look you in the eye? - Could possibly be a reference to the thoug that it may be his brother's (Adam I think is his name) final moments
Forgive my broken promise that you’ll never see me cry - Even though he promised he'd never cry, he'd always be strong, he can't help but cry now
And everything, it will surely change even if I tell you I won’t go away today - No matter what he does, he can't stop his brother's cancer from progressing, even if he stays by his side
Will you think that you’re all alone When no one’s there to hold your hand? - Self-explanatory, he fears his brother thinks he's all alone in his battle with cancer
And all you know seems so far away and everything is temporary rest your head I’m permanent - His life before cancer may seem so far away because he's been battling for so long, but he should just rest because no matter what, David is permanent, he will always be there for him
I know he’s living in hell every single day - He knows his brother has to deal with a living hell of pain every day
And so I ask oh god is there some way for me to take his place - As most loved ones do when someone they love is dealing with a lot of pain, he pleads with God to let him take Adam's place
And when they say it’s all touch and go I wish I could make it go away - When the doctors say it's all "touch and go" and they don't know what his condition will be like day to day, David wishes he could do something, anything, to just make it go away
But still you say Will you think that you’re all alone when no one’s there to hold your hand? When all you know seems so far away and everything is temporary, rest your head I’m permanent I’m permanent - repeat of everything said earlier
Is this the moment where I look you in the eye? Forgive my promise that you’ll never see me cry -repeat of everything said earlier
I always thought that "will you think that your all alone, when no ones there to hold your hand?" meant that Adam will always be with David, not physically, but mentally, in his heart, in his memories.