"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.
I started rhyming just to be somebody
To make people notice me at the party
And not just be the new kid that's albino
Make em say yeah I know but have you heard him rhyme though
Now take that same party around the globe
And my stories connected with a lot of folks
I hope so cause that's the only thing I know
I know it so well I tell it with my eyes closed
And I go with the feeling from the start
Blind in the eye so I see you with my heart
And to me all ya'll look exactly the same fear faith compassion and pain
And try as we may to mask it remains
Such as your religion or your past and your race
The same color blood just pass through our veins
And tears taste the same when they splash on your face
The worlds getting too small to stand in one place
Its like we're roommates just sharing a space
Can't separate and still carry the weight
Gotta heal get away from the fear and the hate
Gotta shake free from the chains
You see what remains
Just a human being end of the day
Don't matter to me what name you gave your spiritual plane
Close your eyes and you'll see what I'm saying
I started rhyming just to be somebody
Found out that I already was
Cause can't nobody be free unless we're all free
There's no me and no you its just us
Street preacher what a fan once called me
I been called worse and tried to live up
Hope you don't mind a few more stories
I swear to god ya'll I tell em with love
To make people notice me at the party
And not just be the new kid that's albino
Make em say yeah I know but have you heard him rhyme though
Now take that same party around the globe
And my stories connected with a lot of folks
I hope so cause that's the only thing I know
I know it so well I tell it with my eyes closed
And I go with the feeling from the start
Blind in the eye so I see you with my heart
And to me all ya'll look exactly the same fear faith compassion and pain
And try as we may to mask it remains
Such as your religion or your past and your race
The same color blood just pass through our veins
And tears taste the same when they splash on your face
The worlds getting too small to stand in one place
Its like we're roommates just sharing a space
Can't separate and still carry the weight
Gotta heal get away from the fear and the hate
Gotta shake free from the chains
You see what remains
Just a human being end of the day
Don't matter to me what name you gave your spiritual plane
Close your eyes and you'll see what I'm saying
I started rhyming just to be somebody
Found out that I already was
Cause can't nobody be free unless we're all free
There's no me and no you its just us
Street preacher what a fan once called me
I been called worse and tried to live up
Hope you don't mind a few more stories
I swear to god ya'll I tell em with love
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
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.
agreed man