"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.
It was the last day of summer
It was the first of a new romance
He walked into her on the corner
She said, 'I don't dance'
He said, 'Baby let me teach you'
She said, 'O.K., when?'
He said, 'How can I reach you baby
I'd really like to see you again'
He picked her up on a Friday night
He took her for a bite to eat
His heart was beating and his hands were shaking
She thought he was sweet
And he stood on her shoes on the dance floor
Well, they were doing it cheek to cheek
And he walked her home and he kissed her
He was walking on air all week
Well, they couldn't stand to be apart
They couldn't leave one another alone
Her mama used to say, 'It's getting late sweetheart
It's time that boy went home'
And upstairs papa kissed mama
And she gave him a sweet caress
He said, 'Here's to the two young lovers
Let's wish 'em every happiness'
It was the last day of summer
They came walking home hand in hand
They went and told her mama
They showed her the wedding band
Mama cried and poured the wine
Papa just said God Bless
Now, here's to the two young lovers
Let's wish 'em every happiness
It was the first of a new romance
He walked into her on the corner
She said, 'I don't dance'
He said, 'Baby let me teach you'
She said, 'O.K., when?'
He said, 'How can I reach you baby
I'd really like to see you again'
He picked her up on a Friday night
He took her for a bite to eat
His heart was beating and his hands were shaking
She thought he was sweet
And he stood on her shoes on the dance floor
Well, they were doing it cheek to cheek
And he walked her home and he kissed her
He was walking on air all week
Well, they couldn't stand to be apart
They couldn't leave one another alone
Her mama used to say, 'It's getting late sweetheart
It's time that boy went home'
And upstairs papa kissed mama
And she gave him a sweet caress
He said, 'Here's to the two young lovers
Let's wish 'em every happiness'
It was the last day of summer
They came walking home hand in hand
They went and told her mama
They showed her the wedding band
Mama cried and poured the wine
Papa just said God Bless
Now, here's to the two young lovers
Let's wish 'em every happiness
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
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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.
I love Mark's stories. Wondered how this one would end when I first heard it.