"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.
Stand up, everybody look alive
Say come on, come on, come on
We're gonna get it now
Hands up if you're ready for a fight
Say come on, come on, come on, gonna win now
I don't need you to believe in me
I know how to change my destiny
Sit down, about to rewrite our history
Rewrite our history, rewrite our history
We can change our whole world
Gonna take it over, gonna start it over
Don't you know we could be
A new beginning, fight until we're winning
Tell me that you're in it
Don't you wanna be, a superhero
A superhero, superhero
Don't you wanna be, a superhero
A superhero, superhero
Anybody could be
Anybody could be
Anybody could be
Rip it off, show the symbol on your chest
Say come on and show the world who you really are
It's not enough to be better than the rest
Gotta take it to the top and make yourself a superstar
You don't need them to believe in you
Get your mission on lock and see it through
You've got all the power you need in you
Power you need in you, power you need in you
We can change our whole world
Gonna take it over, gonna start it over
Don't you know that we could be
A new beginning, fight until we're winning
tell me that you're in it
Don't you wanna be, a superhero
A superhero, superhero
Don't you wanna be, a superhero
A superhero, superhero
Anybody could be
We can change our whole world
Gonna take it over, gonna start it over
Don't you know that we could be
A new beginning, fight until we're winning
Tell me that you're in it
Don't you wanna be, a superhero
A superhero, superhero
Don't you wanna be, a superhero
A superhero, superhero
Anybody could be
A hero
Say come on, come on, come on
We're gonna get it now
Hands up if you're ready for a fight
Say come on, come on, come on, gonna win now
I don't need you to believe in me
I know how to change my destiny
Sit down, about to rewrite our history
Rewrite our history, rewrite our history
We can change our whole world
Gonna take it over, gonna start it over
Don't you know we could be
A new beginning, fight until we're winning
Tell me that you're in it
Don't you wanna be, a superhero
A superhero, superhero
Don't you wanna be, a superhero
A superhero, superhero
Anybody could be
Anybody could be
Anybody could be
Rip it off, show the symbol on your chest
Say come on and show the world who you really are
It's not enough to be better than the rest
Gotta take it to the top and make yourself a superstar
You don't need them to believe in you
Get your mission on lock and see it through
You've got all the power you need in you
Power you need in you, power you need in you
We can change our whole world
Gonna take it over, gonna start it over
Don't you know that we could be
A new beginning, fight until we're winning
tell me that you're in it
Don't you wanna be, a superhero
A superhero, superhero
Don't you wanna be, a superhero
A superhero, superhero
Anybody could be
We can change our whole world
Gonna take it over, gonna start it over
Don't you know that we could be
A new beginning, fight until we're winning
Tell me that you're in it
Don't you wanna be, a superhero
A superhero, superhero
Don't you wanna be, a superhero
A superhero, superhero
Anybody could be
A hero
Lyrics submitted by heartbeatsforyou
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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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
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.