"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.
Workin' overtime
Just to keep myself from getting sacked
Well I don't like my job
Tell the boss to shove it
I ain't goin' back
Just like Gene Vincent
I'm longing to prove
I know what I need this time
Me and my girl together
Yeah
Saturday night
Oh yeah
Saturday night
Lookin' at my watch
Tappin' my fingers
Wishin' time would fly
Gonna look so sharp
She and I will turn some heads as we walk by
And just like Vermeer
I wait for still life to move out of my mind
Tonight
I might suddenly all feel better
Saturday night
Oh yeah
Saturday night
Ow
And I feel like the rain on the edge of a rhyme
On the streets I'll shine
Forever in an instant
Saturday night
Oh yeah
Saturday night
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday night
Crossin' off the days in my brain
Gonna get it good
Gonna get it right
Ain't it just like Verlaine
To be dancin' in the streets
I know what I need this time
Me and my girl together
Oh yeah Saturday night
Oh yeah Saturday night
Saturday night
Oh yeah
Alright
Alright
Oh yeah
Alright
Alright
Oh oh oh
Oh
Saturday night
Just to keep myself from getting sacked
Well I don't like my job
Tell the boss to shove it
I ain't goin' back
Just like Gene Vincent
I'm longing to prove
I know what I need this time
Me and my girl together
Yeah
Saturday night
Oh yeah
Saturday night
Lookin' at my watch
Tappin' my fingers
Wishin' time would fly
Gonna look so sharp
She and I will turn some heads as we walk by
And just like Vermeer
I wait for still life to move out of my mind
Tonight
I might suddenly all feel better
Saturday night
Oh yeah
Saturday night
Ow
And I feel like the rain on the edge of a rhyme
On the streets I'll shine
Forever in an instant
Saturday night
Oh yeah
Saturday night
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday night
Crossin' off the days in my brain
Gonna get it good
Gonna get it right
Ain't it just like Verlaine
To be dancin' in the streets
I know what I need this time
Me and my girl together
Oh yeah Saturday night
Oh yeah Saturday night
Saturday night
Oh yeah
Alright
Alright
Oh yeah
Alright
Alright
Oh oh oh
Oh
Saturday night
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Saturday Night Lyrics as written by Randy Sparks
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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/