"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.
[DAPL]
Hey there, girl, have I seen you before?
I'll need a stronger line to catch what I'm after
'Cause the catch is swimming faster
Holding me, your heart is my beat
Let's let this music sing louder than the end
'Cause I don't wanna be just friends
('Sup, cutie?
Alright, yo, check this)
See the shorty in the club?
I make her shake it for a dub
Maybe half that if she knocks my hat back
She still standing all the way at the back
Unignorable like a freakin' sack tap
So unmoral like a demon's nap sack
Kind of girl that blends out of the crowd
Kind of girl that's only lost to be found
Kind of girl with her feet on the ground
She'll take you high but still tear you down
And make you retire your pimp crown
Shorty, why you gotta do me like that?
(Shorty, why you gotta do me like that?)
Take me to the back just like a trap
To mack and attack this rap bastard
Have me slapping your ass
It's way past passion
We're both laughing before we're crashing
Trying to find the pants that I left my stash in
Find a napkin to get your address
Did you find a napkin to get your address?
Fuck that, baby, write it on the mattress
[DAPL + CFA]
I'm searching through the crowd tonight
[DAPL] I don't wanna leave this place alone
[Kami] Boy, you're fine
[DAPL] Let me taste your lips tonight
[Kami] Why do I
[DAPL] Think that I'm not going home alone?
[Kami] Boy, you're fine
[DAPL] Let me take you home tonight
And we'll play that song again
('Sup, cutie, wanna make out?
'Sup, cutie, wanna make out?)
[CFA]
[Kami] Hey, boy, yeah, I wanna make out
[Jenn] Put your lips on mine, show you what I'm about
[Kami] Hey, boy, yeah, I wanna make out
[Jenn] Put your lips on mine, show you what I'm about
[Kami] One look from me, you get aroused
[Jenn] While you're busy getting nervous
[Kami] I'm revving up the turbulence
This game called love, I think I won
[Jenn] Everybody says I can have anyone
[Kami] But no one reaches up to my
[Jenn + Kami] Standards like you've already done
[Kami] It's crazy the way you got me to feel like this
[Jenn] The way you got me going after our first kiss
[Kami] It's that one night that I'll never forget
[Jenn] You put your hand right into mine
[Kami] Under the stars, the moonlight shines
[Jenn] You told me you had no doubts
[Kami] Looked me in the eyes like, "'Sup, cutie?"
[Jenn + Kami] Wanna make out?
[DAPL + CFA]
I'm searching through the crowd tonight
[DAPL] I don't wanna leave this place alone
[Kami] Boy, you're fine
[DAPL] Let me taste your lips tonight
[Kami] Why do I
[DAPL] Think that I'm not going home alone?
[Kami] Boy, you're fine
[DAPL] Let me take you home tonight
And we'll play that song again
'Sup, cutie, wanna make out?
'Sup, cutie, wanna make out?
[DAPL + CFA]
You're leaving tracks, but I want you to stay
Stay a while, won't you?
And numb me again, please never let it end
Your fingertips trace me down to my hipbones
And scatter around and hold me so close
More or less moral-less
We dine on each other's sin
Overwhelming emotion yet lacking devotion
So I have one wish
I bet for this kiss
So close your eyes
And let's let this ring out
Let's let this ring out
[Kami] I'm searching through the crowd tonight
[DAPL] I don't wanna leave this place alone
[Kami] Boy, you're fine
[DAPL] Let me taste your lips tonight
[Kami] Why do I
[DAPL] Think that I'm not going home alone?
[Kami] Boy, you're fine
[DAPL] Let me take you home tonight
And we'll play that song again
'Sup, cutie, wanna make out?
'Sup, cutie, wanna make out?
Hey there, girl, have I seen you before?
I'll need a stronger line to catch what I'm after
'Cause the catch is swimming faster
Holding me, your heart is my beat
Let's let this music sing louder than the end
'Cause I don't wanna be just friends
('Sup, cutie?
Alright, yo, check this)
See the shorty in the club?
I make her shake it for a dub
Maybe half that if she knocks my hat back
She still standing all the way at the back
Unignorable like a freakin' sack tap
So unmoral like a demon's nap sack
Kind of girl that blends out of the crowd
Kind of girl that's only lost to be found
Kind of girl with her feet on the ground
She'll take you high but still tear you down
And make you retire your pimp crown
Shorty, why you gotta do me like that?
(Shorty, why you gotta do me like that?)
Take me to the back just like a trap
To mack and attack this rap bastard
Have me slapping your ass
It's way past passion
We're both laughing before we're crashing
Trying to find the pants that I left my stash in
Find a napkin to get your address
Did you find a napkin to get your address?
Fuck that, baby, write it on the mattress
[DAPL + CFA]
I'm searching through the crowd tonight
[DAPL] I don't wanna leave this place alone
[Kami] Boy, you're fine
[DAPL] Let me taste your lips tonight
[Kami] Why do I
[DAPL] Think that I'm not going home alone?
[Kami] Boy, you're fine
[DAPL] Let me take you home tonight
And we'll play that song again
('Sup, cutie, wanna make out?
'Sup, cutie, wanna make out?)
[CFA]
[Kami] Hey, boy, yeah, I wanna make out
[Jenn] Put your lips on mine, show you what I'm about
[Kami] Hey, boy, yeah, I wanna make out
[Jenn] Put your lips on mine, show you what I'm about
[Kami] One look from me, you get aroused
[Jenn] While you're busy getting nervous
[Kami] I'm revving up the turbulence
This game called love, I think I won
[Jenn] Everybody says I can have anyone
[Kami] But no one reaches up to my
[Jenn + Kami] Standards like you've already done
[Kami] It's crazy the way you got me to feel like this
[Jenn] The way you got me going after our first kiss
[Kami] It's that one night that I'll never forget
[Jenn] You put your hand right into mine
[Kami] Under the stars, the moonlight shines
[Jenn] You told me you had no doubts
[Kami] Looked me in the eyes like, "'Sup, cutie?"
[Jenn + Kami] Wanna make out?
[DAPL + CFA]
I'm searching through the crowd tonight
[DAPL] I don't wanna leave this place alone
[Kami] Boy, you're fine
[DAPL] Let me taste your lips tonight
[Kami] Why do I
[DAPL] Think that I'm not going home alone?
[Kami] Boy, you're fine
[DAPL] Let me take you home tonight
And we'll play that song again
'Sup, cutie, wanna make out?
'Sup, cutie, wanna make out?
[DAPL + CFA]
You're leaving tracks, but I want you to stay
Stay a while, won't you?
And numb me again, please never let it end
Your fingertips trace me down to my hipbones
And scatter around and hold me so close
More or less moral-less
We dine on each other's sin
Overwhelming emotion yet lacking devotion
So I have one wish
I bet for this kiss
So close your eyes
And let's let this ring out
Let's let this ring out
[Kami] I'm searching through the crowd tonight
[DAPL] I don't wanna leave this place alone
[Kami] Boy, you're fine
[DAPL] Let me taste your lips tonight
[Kami] Why do I
[DAPL] Think that I'm not going home alone?
[Kami] Boy, you're fine
[DAPL] Let me take you home tonight
And we'll play that song again
'Sup, cutie, wanna make out?
'Sup, cutie, wanna make out?
Lyrics submitted by BleedorBreathe
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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.
Dreamwalker
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Silent Planet
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
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.