"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.
Can I talk to you
It might take a little while
We've been so confused
We need to work this out
I've been away from you and I know it's been some time
It's not fair to you
So I need to break it down
I could be stuck in L.A.
You may get a late call from New York
I try to send a kiss to where you are
But it just seems too far
I could be off to Tokyo
ATL then Paris and back home
So I just can't be where you are
And its breaking my heart
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I can't have you
It's crazy
It's getting so hard to stay away from you
But I still miss you
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I wanna call you
Say I'm sorry but I can't be the one for you
Cause I can't be with you
We may not survive
This just gets a little hard
We lead different lives
And spend most of it apart
Tell me what to do
To make it up to you
Maybe we should stop before this goes too far
I could be stuck in L.A.
You may get a late call from New York
I try to send a kiss to where you are
But it just seems too far
I could be off to Tokyo
ATL then Paris and back home
So I just can't be where you are
And it's breaking my heart
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I can't have you
It's crazy
It's getting so hard to stay away from you
But I still miss you
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I wanna call you
Say I'm sorry but I can't be the one for you
Cause I can't be with you
Maybe we'd be better off
Not that it get too serious
I can't give you what you want
Noooo
Maybe we should break it off
I don't wanna call it back
Help me figure out
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I can't have you
It's crazy
It's getting so hard to stay away from you
But I still miss you
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I wanna call you
Say I'm sorry but I can't be the one for you
Cause I can't be with you
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I can't have you
It's crazy
It's getting so hard to stay away from you
But I still miss you
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I wanna call you
Say I'm sorry but I can't be the one for you
Cause I can't be with you...
It might take a little while
We've been so confused
We need to work this out
I've been away from you and I know it's been some time
It's not fair to you
So I need to break it down
I could be stuck in L.A.
You may get a late call from New York
I try to send a kiss to where you are
But it just seems too far
I could be off to Tokyo
ATL then Paris and back home
So I just can't be where you are
And its breaking my heart
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I can't have you
It's crazy
It's getting so hard to stay away from you
But I still miss you
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I wanna call you
Say I'm sorry but I can't be the one for you
Cause I can't be with you
We may not survive
This just gets a little hard
We lead different lives
And spend most of it apart
Tell me what to do
To make it up to you
Maybe we should stop before this goes too far
I could be stuck in L.A.
You may get a late call from New York
I try to send a kiss to where you are
But it just seems too far
I could be off to Tokyo
ATL then Paris and back home
So I just can't be where you are
And it's breaking my heart
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I can't have you
It's crazy
It's getting so hard to stay away from you
But I still miss you
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I wanna call you
Say I'm sorry but I can't be the one for you
Cause I can't be with you
Maybe we'd be better off
Not that it get too serious
I can't give you what you want
Noooo
Maybe we should break it off
I don't wanna call it back
Help me figure out
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I can't have you
It's crazy
It's getting so hard to stay away from you
But I still miss you
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I wanna call you
Say I'm sorry but I can't be the one for you
Cause I can't be with you
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I can't have you
It's crazy
It's getting so hard to stay away from you
But I still miss you
I don't want want you, keep telling myself
That I don't want you
But I wanna call you
Say I'm sorry but I can't be the one for you
Cause I can't be with you...
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
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.
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.
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/
I kind of see this song as the lyrical opposite of "Rolling Stone". She doesn't want to be in a relationship because she's on the road all the time, and she realizes it must be hard on him. But she still wants to be with him anyway.