"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.
Charlie once sat on the sidewalk, baby
He asked her about my name
And at that noise you came and met me
You said that I was to blame
Sugarcane eyes with no decision
It's your trial and tribulation
Isn't It time you made up your mind
And gave me a ticket to ride
I won't get you down until
These light are tripping us out
We are so out of control
Won't you come on a ride?
This time we'll do it for kicks
We can fall away
With the cat and the eye
Pretty face paper people, baby
They all look the same to me
Running on angels ain't that easy
These things you've gotta believe
Everything's kind of different for me
The songs still mean the same
Isn't it time to reinvent me so
Let's take a piece of the pie
I won't get you down until
These light are tripping us out
We are so out of control
Won't you come on a ride?
This time we'll do it for kicks
We can fall away
With the cat and the eye
These light are tripping us out
We are so out of control
Won't you come on a ride?
This time we'll do it for kicks
We can fall away
With the cat and the eye
Here we are
Chasing on a sunbeam
Here we are
Chasing on a sunbeam
Pacing on to sorry
Pacing on to sorry
These light are tripping us out
We are so out of control
Won't you come on a ride?
This time we'll do it for kicks
We can fall away
With the cat and the eye
He asked her about my name
And at that noise you came and met me
You said that I was to blame
Sugarcane eyes with no decision
It's your trial and tribulation
Isn't It time you made up your mind
And gave me a ticket to ride
I won't get you down until
These light are tripping us out
We are so out of control
Won't you come on a ride?
This time we'll do it for kicks
We can fall away
With the cat and the eye
Pretty face paper people, baby
They all look the same to me
Running on angels ain't that easy
These things you've gotta believe
Everything's kind of different for me
The songs still mean the same
Isn't it time to reinvent me so
Let's take a piece of the pie
I won't get you down until
These light are tripping us out
We are so out of control
Won't you come on a ride?
This time we'll do it for kicks
We can fall away
With the cat and the eye
These light are tripping us out
We are so out of control
Won't you come on a ride?
This time we'll do it for kicks
We can fall away
With the cat and the eye
Here we are
Chasing on a sunbeam
Here we are
Chasing on a sunbeam
Pacing on to sorry
Pacing on to sorry
These light are tripping us out
We are so out of control
Won't you come on a ride?
This time we'll do it for kicks
We can fall away
With the cat and the eye
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
this song is great, really catchy (or something idk it sounds good) and really surreal
the music video on their myspace is awesome and surreal too
i have no clue what it's about but i don't feel like i'm supposed to