"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.
Shot myself, ricochet
Crisis as an opportunity
Curtain call to loud applause
As you fall upon your sword
Wake up in a stranger's bed
Hangover and then some
Can't remember what was said
What's her name or what we've done
Wake up in a stranger's head
This one stresses income
On the rich list born and bred
Blame's attached to every sum
Shot myself, ricochet
Crisis as an opportunity
Loud applause
Revealing the conceal, loser
Shot myself, ricochet
Crisis as an opportunity
Curtain falls to loud applause
The tattoo says it all, "Hope and glory"
Here's to hope and glory
Where is the peace and the whole in a half life?
I can't control my saboteur
Call it my nature, name it addiction
Kiss on the lips will soon turn sour
Innocence lost in the grip of a hand job
After the surge of ecstasy
I'm walking out the door
Hope and glory
Sh, sh, sh, shine like a ghost
Sh, sh, sh, shine to be loved the most
When you're gone
Your songs outlive your story
Sh, sh, sh, shine like a ghost
Sh, sh, sh, shine to be loved the most
When you're gone
Your songs outlive your story
Let it shine, let it shine
When you're gone
Your songs outlive your story
Crisis as an opportunity
Curtain call to loud applause
As you fall upon your sword
Wake up in a stranger's bed
Hangover and then some
Can't remember what was said
What's her name or what we've done
Wake up in a stranger's head
This one stresses income
On the rich list born and bred
Blame's attached to every sum
Shot myself, ricochet
Crisis as an opportunity
Loud applause
Revealing the conceal, loser
Shot myself, ricochet
Crisis as an opportunity
Curtain falls to loud applause
The tattoo says it all, "Hope and glory"
Here's to hope and glory
Where is the peace and the whole in a half life?
I can't control my saboteur
Call it my nature, name it addiction
Kiss on the lips will soon turn sour
Innocence lost in the grip of a hand job
After the surge of ecstasy
I'm walking out the door
Hope and glory
Sh, sh, sh, shine like a ghost
Sh, sh, sh, shine to be loved the most
When you're gone
Your songs outlive your story
Sh, sh, sh, shine like a ghost
Sh, sh, sh, shine to be loved the most
When you're gone
Your songs outlive your story
Let it shine, let it shine
When you're gone
Your songs outlive your story
Lyrics submitted by MaskOfSanity
Shine Lyrics as written by James Patrick Glennie Timothy Booth
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Hayalperest
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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.
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"'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/
Punchline
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American Town
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I did not like this song right away, but it grew on me very quickly and it's now my favorite off the new album. Such great lyrics.