"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.
Madness is like love, it makes you see the world a different way
Maybe love just helps you say the things madness can't convey
When an evil spirit leaves a man it goes flying through the desert
Looks for a place to stay and then comes back
And that's what's got me hiding from rapists thieves and perverts
The newsman telling me I'm under attack
The more the world puts in my mouth the less I feel like chewing it
I found the way to madness and I'm opening the door
The more they say what's on my mind the more I feel I'm losing it
They tell me what to care about and I don't care anymore
'Cause there's a hole in the fabric of my sanity
And it's getting big enough to see through
And on the other side I'm losing my mind
I think I'm going to see you
I pledge allegiance to myself don't make much sense to me
And if freedom frees the idiots I don't think I've been set free
All the emphasis on money and guns and looking out for number one
Seems like clouds in my coffee
Cause the world is just a lady with a veil over her face
But I'm tearing it away because she's got something to hide
All our hopes and dreams I fear have been badly misplaced
Cause truth means giving up yourselves and I'm not afraid to die
'Cause there's a hole in the fabric of my sanity
And it's getting big enough to see through
And on the other side I'm losing my mind
I think I'm going to see you
There's a fire on the flag that makes you who you are
And I think my mask is starting to slip
And now that everything's breaking down
I think I'm getting a grip
The more the world puts in my mouth the more I feel like throwing up
I've found my way to freedom and I'm opening the door
The more they tell me how to care the more and more I'm giving up
Afraid of God and life and death, and I'm not afraid anymore
There's a hole in the fabric of my sanity
And it's getting big enough to see through
And on the other side I'm losing my mind
I think I'm going to see you
There's a hole in the fabric of my sanity
And it's getting big enough to see through
And on the other side I'm losing my mind
I think I'm going to see you
There's a fire on the flag that makes you who you are
And I think my mask is starting to slip
And now that everything's breaking down
I think I'm getting a grip
There's a hole in the fabric of my sanity
And it's getting big enough to see through
And on the other side I'm losing my mind
I think I'm going to see you
Maybe love just helps you say the things madness can't convey
When an evil spirit leaves a man it goes flying through the desert
Looks for a place to stay and then comes back
And that's what's got me hiding from rapists thieves and perverts
The newsman telling me I'm under attack
The more the world puts in my mouth the less I feel like chewing it
I found the way to madness and I'm opening the door
The more they say what's on my mind the more I feel I'm losing it
They tell me what to care about and I don't care anymore
'Cause there's a hole in the fabric of my sanity
And it's getting big enough to see through
And on the other side I'm losing my mind
I think I'm going to see you
I pledge allegiance to myself don't make much sense to me
And if freedom frees the idiots I don't think I've been set free
All the emphasis on money and guns and looking out for number one
Seems like clouds in my coffee
Cause the world is just a lady with a veil over her face
But I'm tearing it away because she's got something to hide
All our hopes and dreams I fear have been badly misplaced
Cause truth means giving up yourselves and I'm not afraid to die
'Cause there's a hole in the fabric of my sanity
And it's getting big enough to see through
And on the other side I'm losing my mind
I think I'm going to see you
There's a fire on the flag that makes you who you are
And I think my mask is starting to slip
And now that everything's breaking down
I think I'm getting a grip
The more the world puts in my mouth the more I feel like throwing up
I've found my way to freedom and I'm opening the door
The more they tell me how to care the more and more I'm giving up
Afraid of God and life and death, and I'm not afraid anymore
There's a hole in the fabric of my sanity
And it's getting big enough to see through
And on the other side I'm losing my mind
I think I'm going to see you
There's a hole in the fabric of my sanity
And it's getting big enough to see through
And on the other side I'm losing my mind
I think I'm going to see you
There's a fire on the flag that makes you who you are
And I think my mask is starting to slip
And now that everything's breaking down
I think I'm getting a grip
There's a hole in the fabric of my sanity
And it's getting big enough to see through
And on the other side I'm losing my mind
I think I'm going to see you
Lyrics submitted by tweaky
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Good song, but the sound isn't original in the least bit. Liked it on the first few listens, but it sounds too much like other songs I've heard. :/
This is my favorite song on the album. It's beautiful lyrically and musically. And finally, FINALLY Showbread has a decent guitar solo! I even go as far as to say it's awesome. Best first stanza of a song ever, by the way.
are you saying you don't like the solo in "welcome to plainfield"