In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Out on the lonely highway
I'm riding your way
Tell your momma to bar the cabin door
Heading out on a short run
Just looking for someone
Who doesn't love me anymore
Tennessee pusher, Tennessee pusher, Tennessee pusher
Last night in the hollar
I made a thousand dollars
But I couldn't believe just what I saw
You were out in the moonlight
Until the break of daylight
Giving your love to the law
Tennessee pusher, Tennessee pusher, Tennessee pusher
Climbing up on the mountain
Heartbeat pounding
Reckless as a cyclone
You're the one that am after
But I am a wanted man for
Bringing it all back home
Now there's gunsmoke in the valley
Blood like jelly
As three crows circle a dead tree
One for the lover
One for the pusher
One for the deputy
Tennessee, Tennessee, Tennessee pusher
Tennessee pusher, Tennessee pusher, Tennessee pusher
I'm riding your way
Tell your momma to bar the cabin door
Heading out on a short run
Just looking for someone
Who doesn't love me anymore
Tennessee pusher, Tennessee pusher, Tennessee pusher
Last night in the hollar
I made a thousand dollars
But I couldn't believe just what I saw
You were out in the moonlight
Until the break of daylight
Giving your love to the law
Tennessee pusher, Tennessee pusher, Tennessee pusher
Climbing up on the mountain
Heartbeat pounding
Reckless as a cyclone
You're the one that am after
But I am a wanted man for
Bringing it all back home
Now there's gunsmoke in the valley
Blood like jelly
As three crows circle a dead tree
One for the lover
One for the pusher
One for the deputy
Tennessee, Tennessee, Tennessee pusher
Tennessee pusher, Tennessee pusher, Tennessee pusher
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"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.
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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.
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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,
I think that he made a thousand dollars prostituting someone out to law enforcement... He made the money, but couldn't believe just what he saw.
So you can rate my comment -1, but don't wanna discuss it? I see...