"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.
Who cut ya?
Save the theatrics for the mattress.
Nine bring it raw dog style with no practice.
I mack this microphone like a hoe on the stroll.
In total control of the soul.
Any asshole can pull a gun the streets are full of fools
I met smarter younger brothers in jails than in schools.
Runnin his story about his glory, it bore me.
And his territory, it don't do nothin for me.
So fuck him and the horse that he's ridin
I'm barely survivin, losin my breath
Cause I'm drownin in sorrow.
I seen a lot of pain with these two eyes of mine.
That's why I write the rhymes that borderline on crime.
I gotta make somethin or I gotta take somethin.
Can't beat that...
Fuck Versace and Rolex, I can't eat that.
I need that green it seems to reign supreme.
By any means, pens and papers on triple beams.
Get rich schemes blow up in your face
None taste worse that a plan gone sour
Your power slippin thru your fingers like dimes and nickels.
We go pistols
U know where to shoot at, wherever the loot at.
I don't break the law the law breaks me.
I aint sittin around waitin for the devil to come and take me.
Don't shoot until u see the whites of they eyes
Anything less would be uncivilized
Chorus (x2)
You know... in a world full of lies and alibies
Some men die for a piece of the pie
It's Uncivilized
So I strive to survive and keep my eyes on the prize
(So I try to stay hi stayin high of the lie (2))
Anything else is uncivilized
(It's keepin me from actin uncivilized (2))
I break the rules on my quest for the 12 jewels
Believe in Delf' bring stacks and green packs
Need hats for Jacks, camoflauge
At least 2 gatts for when skies are grey
Any day above ground is a good day, I'd say
The way kids play nowadays, no hands
They spray round my way
I'm feelin like Ja Day and I'm runnin outta sad songs
You fake, one mistake could leave u dead wrong
Roll with the king, whoever that is
See him in the corner of my eye
But he dissappears like cigarette smoke
In a cloud, then the rain comes, then the pain comes
X marks the spot, graffitti marks the slums
The chosen ones communicate with mathematics
The new tactics set me free from all the dramatics.
Keep it in my attic, that's where my brains at
Keep it in the closet, yeah but keep it black
Back up from the ropes if u can't float between notes
Ane memorize them quotes that I toke from Buddha smoke
Hope ya brought your dictionary with ya
Cause if u get the words, then u get the picture
I hit ya because I love ya
You're my people and I put noone above ya
But if you're foul I bust ya
It's time to be totally disrespectful to Saint Ives
Part of the reason we're all uncivilized.
Chorus (x2)
Save the theatrics for the mattress.
Nine bring it raw dog style with no practice.
I mack this microphone like a hoe on the stroll.
In total control of the soul.
Any asshole can pull a gun the streets are full of fools
I met smarter younger brothers in jails than in schools.
Runnin his story about his glory, it bore me.
And his territory, it don't do nothin for me.
So fuck him and the horse that he's ridin
I'm barely survivin, losin my breath
Cause I'm drownin in sorrow.
I seen a lot of pain with these two eyes of mine.
That's why I write the rhymes that borderline on crime.
I gotta make somethin or I gotta take somethin.
Can't beat that...
Fuck Versace and Rolex, I can't eat that.
I need that green it seems to reign supreme.
By any means, pens and papers on triple beams.
Get rich schemes blow up in your face
None taste worse that a plan gone sour
Your power slippin thru your fingers like dimes and nickels.
We go pistols
U know where to shoot at, wherever the loot at.
I don't break the law the law breaks me.
I aint sittin around waitin for the devil to come and take me.
Don't shoot until u see the whites of they eyes
Anything less would be uncivilized
Chorus (x2)
You know... in a world full of lies and alibies
Some men die for a piece of the pie
It's Uncivilized
So I strive to survive and keep my eyes on the prize
(So I try to stay hi stayin high of the lie (2))
Anything else is uncivilized
(It's keepin me from actin uncivilized (2))
I break the rules on my quest for the 12 jewels
Believe in Delf' bring stacks and green packs
Need hats for Jacks, camoflauge
At least 2 gatts for when skies are grey
Any day above ground is a good day, I'd say
The way kids play nowadays, no hands
They spray round my way
I'm feelin like Ja Day and I'm runnin outta sad songs
You fake, one mistake could leave u dead wrong
Roll with the king, whoever that is
See him in the corner of my eye
But he dissappears like cigarette smoke
In a cloud, then the rain comes, then the pain comes
X marks the spot, graffitti marks the slums
The chosen ones communicate with mathematics
The new tactics set me free from all the dramatics.
Keep it in my attic, that's where my brains at
Keep it in the closet, yeah but keep it black
Back up from the ropes if u can't float between notes
Ane memorize them quotes that I toke from Buddha smoke
Hope ya brought your dictionary with ya
Cause if u get the words, then u get the picture
I hit ya because I love ya
You're my people and I put noone above ya
But if you're foul I bust ya
It's time to be totally disrespectful to Saint Ives
Part of the reason we're all uncivilized.
Chorus (x2)
Lyrics submitted by kmk_natasha
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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/
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.