"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.
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
I am floating, I, I am floating
With my eyes closed, with no sails
I am soaking, I am weathered by the winter of mixed drinks
Am I dancing am am I nervous simply spinning in my own grave
You were asking, you, you were asking
And with two steps, I'm saved
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Weeks gone by, I was weak
I was paler than a pine box that holds bones
She poked the iris, then she pierced a hole
And watched the colour rush forth
Modern Madonna, who held my head in
Warm hands, with pink nails
Mark my mouth, whisper that the sickness will go away
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even as I blackout, I know
And though I dreamt with a rapid eye
By day I hope to rapidly die
And have my organs laid on ice
Wait for somebody that would treat them right
And as the night started swallowing
You put the blood to my blue lips
Forced the life through still veins
Filled my heart with red again
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even as I blackout, I know
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
I am floating, I, I am floating
With my eyes closed, with no sails
I am soaking, I am weathered by the winter of mixed drinks
Am I dancing am am I nervous simply spinning in my own grave
You were asking, you, you were asking
And with two steps, I'm saved
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Weeks gone by, I was weak
I was paler than a pine box that holds bones
She poked the iris, then she pierced a hole
And watched the colour rush forth
Modern Madonna, who held my head in
Warm hands, with pink nails
Mark my mouth, whisper that the sickness will go away
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even as I blackout, I know
And though I dreamt with a rapid eye
By day I hope to rapidly die
And have my organs laid on ice
Wait for somebody that would treat them right
And as the night started swallowing
You put the blood to my blue lips
Forced the life through still veins
Filled my heart with red again
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even in the blackout, I know
Living in colour, living in colour
I can see the paint on your toes
Living in colour
Even as I blackout, I know
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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/
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.
I kind of interpret this as being about some kind of depression. Like his world is so gray and lifeless and maybe he was even close to giving up completely but then this girl comes along and fills him and his world with color and life again