"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.
In a good world
In a bad place
In a good world
In a bad place
There's a gun cocked and pointed at my head
I could stop this if I heard what he just said
I was trying not to look him in the face
In a good world
In a bad place
In a good world
In a bad place
In a good world
In a bad place
Now who's this man?
I want to take a peek
So I turn around and he says to me,
"Man, I did you wrong
But don't lose your faith
It's a good world
But this is a bad place"
This is bad
This is just so bad
You're friends with the devil
At least you know what you have
And what do I get for being good from the start?
Gospel music, gospel music, gospel music
And beyond the white light
Is whatever you want
You don't come alive just to leave alone
So long as I'm right I can do what I please
But nobody knows what nobody sees
In a good world
In a bad place
In a good world
In a bad place
Saw his head drop
So I turned and I ran
And the gun locked, exploded in his hand
And I felt like I finally got a break
In a good world
In a bad place
And around the corner
There's this old man
He pretends he's blind
He puts out his hand
He pretends he's crazy
So you spare your change
In a good world
In a bad place
This is bad
This is just so bad
You're friends with the devil
At least you know what you have
And what do I get for being good from the start?
Gospel music, gospel music, gospel music
And beyond the white light
Is whatever you want
You don't come alive just to leave alone
So long as I'm right I can do what I please
But nobody knows what nobody sees
And the wind blows up from the atmosphere
Blows this cold dust and we're frozen here
And we're frozen here
And we're frozen here
And we're frozen here
And beyond the white light
Is whatever you want
You don't come alive just to leave alone
So long as I'm right I can do what I please
But nobody knows what nobody sees
Beyond the white light
Is whatever you want
You don't come alive just to leave alone
So long as I'm right I can do what I please
But nobody knows what nobody sees
Gospel music, gospel music, gospel music
In a bad place
In a good world
In a bad place
There's a gun cocked and pointed at my head
I could stop this if I heard what he just said
I was trying not to look him in the face
In a good world
In a bad place
In a good world
In a bad place
In a good world
In a bad place
Now who's this man?
I want to take a peek
So I turn around and he says to me,
"Man, I did you wrong
But don't lose your faith
It's a good world
But this is a bad place"
This is bad
This is just so bad
You're friends with the devil
At least you know what you have
And what do I get for being good from the start?
Gospel music, gospel music, gospel music
And beyond the white light
Is whatever you want
You don't come alive just to leave alone
So long as I'm right I can do what I please
But nobody knows what nobody sees
In a good world
In a bad place
In a good world
In a bad place
Saw his head drop
So I turned and I ran
And the gun locked, exploded in his hand
And I felt like I finally got a break
In a good world
In a bad place
And around the corner
There's this old man
He pretends he's blind
He puts out his hand
He pretends he's crazy
So you spare your change
In a good world
In a bad place
This is bad
This is just so bad
You're friends with the devil
At least you know what you have
And what do I get for being good from the start?
Gospel music, gospel music, gospel music
And beyond the white light
Is whatever you want
You don't come alive just to leave alone
So long as I'm right I can do what I please
But nobody knows what nobody sees
And the wind blows up from the atmosphere
Blows this cold dust and we're frozen here
And we're frozen here
And we're frozen here
And we're frozen here
And beyond the white light
Is whatever you want
You don't come alive just to leave alone
So long as I'm right I can do what I please
But nobody knows what nobody sees
Beyond the white light
Is whatever you want
You don't come alive just to leave alone
So long as I'm right I can do what I please
But nobody knows what nobody sees
Gospel music, gospel music, gospel music
Lyrics submitted by geekusa
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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
Silent Planet
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.
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.