"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.
Here we go again
Another night of being bummed
I'll keep to myself, avoid the sun
And cancel plans with everyone I know
'Cause it's just how it always ends
Our bond will break 'cause you can't relate
To anyone, to anything at all
You brought your worst, and I'm right here (right here)
No, I've seen it all
And it's never been so clear
You're not the person that I knew back then (back then)
It's all too late to set things straight, 'cause everything has been
You're not the person that I knew back then
Let's try and act like this didn't happen
Follow your friends like you ever had them
You still know me
Still not cut out for this sort of thing
Never wanted to be caught in between
I need constant reminders of everything
(So what?) It's who I am
I played it off so well
I just hold it in no matter how I've been
So nobody, nobody can tell
You brought your worst, and I'm right here (right here)
No, I've seen it all
And it's never been so clear
You're not the person that I knew back then (back then)
It's all too late to set things straight, 'cause everything has been
You're not the person that I knew back then
Let's try and act like this didn't happen
Follow your friends like you ever had them
I won't sleep 'til the break of dawn (break of dawn)
Can't let our problems find me here
So everybody, come on
You brought your worst, and I'm right here
No, I've seen it all
And it's never been so clear
You're not the person that I knew back then (back then)
It's all too late to set things straight, 'cause everything has been
You're not the person that I knew back then
Let's try and act like this didn't happen
Follow your friends like you ever had them
(You're not the person that I knew back then)
(It's all too late to set things straight, 'cause everything has been)
(You're not the person that I knew back then)
(Let's try and act like this didn't happen)
(Follow your friends like you ever had them)
Another night of being bummed
I'll keep to myself, avoid the sun
And cancel plans with everyone I know
'Cause it's just how it always ends
Our bond will break 'cause you can't relate
To anyone, to anything at all
You brought your worst, and I'm right here (right here)
No, I've seen it all
And it's never been so clear
You're not the person that I knew back then (back then)
It's all too late to set things straight, 'cause everything has been
You're not the person that I knew back then
Let's try and act like this didn't happen
Follow your friends like you ever had them
You still know me
Still not cut out for this sort of thing
Never wanted to be caught in between
I need constant reminders of everything
(So what?) It's who I am
I played it off so well
I just hold it in no matter how I've been
So nobody, nobody can tell
You brought your worst, and I'm right here (right here)
No, I've seen it all
And it's never been so clear
You're not the person that I knew back then (back then)
It's all too late to set things straight, 'cause everything has been
You're not the person that I knew back then
Let's try and act like this didn't happen
Follow your friends like you ever had them
I won't sleep 'til the break of dawn (break of dawn)
Can't let our problems find me here
So everybody, come on
You brought your worst, and I'm right here
No, I've seen it all
And it's never been so clear
You're not the person that I knew back then (back then)
It's all too late to set things straight, 'cause everything has been
You're not the person that I knew back then
Let's try and act like this didn't happen
Follow your friends like you ever had them
(You're not the person that I knew back then)
(It's all too late to set things straight, 'cause everything has been)
(You're not the person that I knew back then)
(Let's try and act like this didn't happen)
(Follow your friends like you ever had them)
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.
I agree with goregoregadget. She ended up being someone completely different in the end. My favorite lines are
You brought your worst and I"m right here Now I've seen it all And it's never been so clear
...like she screwed him over but he's still standing and he says the real her which is most likely a bitch.