"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.
Señorita, tasty mamacita
Tell me baby, what's your name
Oh Conchita, won't you have a seat-a
Tell me baby, who's to blame?
I'll fuckin' kill the man who has done you wrong
My body's shakin' out of control
His name is Larry, oh he's really scary
Drinkin' at the fuckin' bar
Tap his shoulder, muscles like a boulder
Tell him that's he's gone too far
He laughs and tells me to fuckin' fuck myself
Now my blood is boilin' over my soul
Hey!
[JB] I'm sorry, I didn't hear that
Did you just tell me to fuckin' fuck myself?
[Larry] Yeah
[JB] Well I'm telling you to step outside
[Larry] Oh really?
[JB] Yeah, we got some things to talk about
A little lady named Conchita
[Larry] Hey!
[JB] Yeah, you harmed her
[Larry] What? Who said? Who are you?
[JB] Yeah, fuck you you piece of shit
When my fist connects at Larry, falls down to the ground
I see he's cut me with a bottle
My pistol rises, cause it's time to double down
Larry runs, I chase him out full-throttle
Dónde estás mi horse? ¡Allí!
Dígame, ¿donde estas Larry? ¿Alli?
¿En las montañas? ¿Donde, en el cañon?
Muy bien, ¿Coldwater Cañon?
Andale, hey, ha, ha
[Larry]
Ah, te llamo mi Conchita
Yo tengo hambre para tu boca
Mira mi cara
Soy el fuego para tu beso
Mi amor
Watchin' Larry in his sanctuary thinkin' that he got away
With Conchita, oh my mamacita, kissing him upon the face
I fuckin' rue the day that I fought for you
Now my mind is spinnin' out of control
Ah I'm sorry mamacita
Oh my little señorita
I ¿? señorita
Tell me baby, what's your name
Oh Conchita, won't you have a seat-a
Tell me baby, who's to blame?
I'll fuckin' kill the man who has done you wrong
My body's shakin' out of control
His name is Larry, oh he's really scary
Drinkin' at the fuckin' bar
Tap his shoulder, muscles like a boulder
Tell him that's he's gone too far
He laughs and tells me to fuckin' fuck myself
Now my blood is boilin' over my soul
Hey!
[JB] I'm sorry, I didn't hear that
Did you just tell me to fuckin' fuck myself?
[Larry] Yeah
[JB] Well I'm telling you to step outside
[Larry] Oh really?
[JB] Yeah, we got some things to talk about
A little lady named Conchita
[Larry] Hey!
[JB] Yeah, you harmed her
[Larry] What? Who said? Who are you?
[JB] Yeah, fuck you you piece of shit
When my fist connects at Larry, falls down to the ground
I see he's cut me with a bottle
My pistol rises, cause it's time to double down
Larry runs, I chase him out full-throttle
Dónde estás mi horse? ¡Allí!
Dígame, ¿donde estas Larry? ¿Alli?
¿En las montañas? ¿Donde, en el cañon?
Muy bien, ¿Coldwater Cañon?
Andale, hey, ha, ha
[Larry]
Ah, te llamo mi Conchita
Yo tengo hambre para tu boca
Mira mi cara
Soy el fuego para tu beso
Mi amor
Watchin' Larry in his sanctuary thinkin' that he got away
With Conchita, oh my mamacita, kissing him upon the face
I fuckin' rue the day that I fought for you
Now my mind is spinnin' out of control
Ah I'm sorry mamacita
Oh my little señorita
I ¿? señorita
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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.
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.
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/
Translated Dialogue at 1:47-2:16 [Jack] Where are my horse?There! Tell me, where are you Larry? There? What mountain? Where, in the barrel? Okay, Coldwater Canyon? Andale, hey, ha, ha
[Larry] I call my Conchita I have a hunger for your mouth Look at my face I am the fire for your kiss My love