"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.
It was 1974. Young AutoBeat roll out the factory door.
Fresh, clean, yeah man not a scratch. Indianapolis, initial dispatch.
First 13 years, just sat back. Soaked up culture, learned how to rap.
Cut my teeth on a crew called Brain Sand, with some humans Adam B was my man.But me? No I had to be warming up. Hit B-Town, started forming up.
A crew that definitely tore it up – Showermast, that band that'd bump your rump.
But all good things gotta die sometime. Transferred where there ain't no sunshine.
Hooked up with these AutoBeat allies, knew we were like minded after one line.
One night man yo I knew we had work. Lost one beat junkie, I'm through with that jerk.
Step back, it's a red alert. I'm not kiddin'.
Get in any motor vehicle that you can fit in.
Sit in any seat in the emergency position.
Alignment AutoBeat, we make it happen man. No wishin'.
I'm just another dude on just another stage
In yet another city part of a bigger state and
There's a billion shows goin' down every day so
Whatcha gonna do man?
Stand here and say that
There's a lotta rappers fillin' the void,
A lotta hot groups out there makin' noise.
Every single night my there's a billion choices.
You're here now so raise your voices.
You're here now so raise your voices.
You're here now so raise your voices.
I hate it when I gotta get up when it's dark. I'm too tired and I just wanna sleep in.
Start thinkin' I might have a cough. Think my boss would believe it?
This weekend I did a lotta drinking. My voice sounds deep so it just might fly.
Start thinking that I just might try. Clear my throat. Look *ahem* Hi.
This is Andrew Hart, I'm not feelin' too well. Think I've got the flu but I really can't tell.
My voice is all scratchy and it's startin' to swell, and well, you know I might be contagious.
It feels like that it's in the early stages. My girl had it now I think I've caught it.
Stay home man.
Awe yeah dude bought it.
Hook, line and sinker man they never even fought it.
It's time to get the sleep restarted, cuz hey. Really not prepared to begin this day.
Up last night at show too late, too many drinks and too much smoke
And I wasn't even rappin', just layin' low. Hold up, I gotta get the cell phone.
Hello? It was thighs, talkin' real fast. All I made out?
It just dumped at the pass.
I'm just another dude on just another stage
In yet another city part of a bigger state and
There's a billion shows goin' down every day so
Whatcha gonna do man?
Stand here and say that
There's a lotta rappers fillin' the void,
A lotta hot groups out there makin' noise.
Every single night my there's a billion choices.
You're here now so raise your voices.
You're here now so raise your voices.
You're here now so raise your voices.
Fresh, clean, yeah man not a scratch. Indianapolis, initial dispatch.
First 13 years, just sat back. Soaked up culture, learned how to rap.
Cut my teeth on a crew called Brain Sand, with some humans Adam B was my man.But me? No I had to be warming up. Hit B-Town, started forming up.
A crew that definitely tore it up – Showermast, that band that'd bump your rump.
But all good things gotta die sometime. Transferred where there ain't no sunshine.
Hooked up with these AutoBeat allies, knew we were like minded after one line.
One night man yo I knew we had work. Lost one beat junkie, I'm through with that jerk.
Step back, it's a red alert. I'm not kiddin'.
Get in any motor vehicle that you can fit in.
Sit in any seat in the emergency position.
Alignment AutoBeat, we make it happen man. No wishin'.
I'm just another dude on just another stage
In yet another city part of a bigger state and
There's a billion shows goin' down every day so
Whatcha gonna do man?
Stand here and say that
There's a lotta rappers fillin' the void,
A lotta hot groups out there makin' noise.
Every single night my there's a billion choices.
You're here now so raise your voices.
You're here now so raise your voices.
You're here now so raise your voices.
I hate it when I gotta get up when it's dark. I'm too tired and I just wanna sleep in.
Start thinkin' I might have a cough. Think my boss would believe it?
This weekend I did a lotta drinking. My voice sounds deep so it just might fly.
Start thinking that I just might try. Clear my throat. Look *ahem* Hi.
This is Andrew Hart, I'm not feelin' too well. Think I've got the flu but I really can't tell.
My voice is all scratchy and it's startin' to swell, and well, you know I might be contagious.
It feels like that it's in the early stages. My girl had it now I think I've caught it.
Stay home man.
Awe yeah dude bought it.
Hook, line and sinker man they never even fought it.
It's time to get the sleep restarted, cuz hey. Really not prepared to begin this day.
Up last night at show too late, too many drinks and too much smoke
And I wasn't even rappin', just layin' low. Hold up, I gotta get the cell phone.
Hello? It was thighs, talkin' real fast. All I made out?
It just dumped at the pass.
I'm just another dude on just another stage
In yet another city part of a bigger state and
There's a billion shows goin' down every day so
Whatcha gonna do man?
Stand here and say that
There's a lotta rappers fillin' the void,
A lotta hot groups out there makin' noise.
Every single night my there's a billion choices.
You're here now so raise your voices.
You're here now so raise your voices.
You're here now so raise your voices.
Lyrics submitted by RandomAccuracy
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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/
Blue
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Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.