"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.
Lean on me, lean on me
don't you ever give up on your dreams
No matter how hard things around you seem
You gotta keep your head on what you do today
Keep holdin? on 'cause help is on the way
When outta the blue your buddies appear
They're like instant friends and their mission is clear
Keep workin? together to make it all real
It?s what you'd been hopin? all along you'd feel
Well you can lean on me
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long 'til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
You can lean on me to help you stand
You know I?ll be right there, it?s part of the plan
Together today we?ll get it done
At the end of the story the victory is won
No matter how simple this might sound
Helpin? someone else is where love is found
Just reach out your hand to show you care
The greatest gift is the one you share
Well you can lean on me
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long 'til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
Just call
Just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Just call me, just call
Just call me, you know you can call
Just call me, just call
Just call me, woo!
Oh oh, oh oh, lean on me
Lean on me, lean on me
Oh oh, oh oh, lean on me
Lean on me
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long 'til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
Just call me, just call
Just call me, you know you can call
Just call me, just call
Just call me
don't you ever give up on your dreams
No matter how hard things around you seem
You gotta keep your head on what you do today
Keep holdin? on 'cause help is on the way
When outta the blue your buddies appear
They're like instant friends and their mission is clear
Keep workin? together to make it all real
It?s what you'd been hopin? all along you'd feel
Well you can lean on me
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long 'til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
You can lean on me to help you stand
You know I?ll be right there, it?s part of the plan
Together today we?ll get it done
At the end of the story the victory is won
No matter how simple this might sound
Helpin? someone else is where love is found
Just reach out your hand to show you care
The greatest gift is the one you share
Well you can lean on me
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long 'til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
Just call
Just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Just call me, just call
Just call me, you know you can call
Just call me, just call
Just call me, woo!
Oh oh, oh oh, lean on me
Lean on me, lean on me
Oh oh, oh oh, lean on me
Lean on me
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long 'til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
Just call me, just call
Just call me, you know you can call
Just call me, just call
Just call me
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Lean on Me Lyrics as written by Bill Withers
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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/
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.