"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.
I'd rather die for what I believe,
Than live a life without meaning.
I'd rather die for what I believe,
Than live a life without meaning.
I'd rather die for what I believe,
Than live a life without meaning.
I'd rather die for what I believe,
Than live a life without meaning.
And now that I'm older...
And now that I'm older,
I'm finding out How,
What it means
To start over.
Well, it's never gonna be that easy.
I've searched and searched,
But the searchlights have left me.
I've tried to find a way, I swear I tried,
All I have left is you by my side.
So please take the time
To get inside my mind.
I've longed for the lights,
I've stayed awake, stayed awake.
Through the nights.
What if this is all I have
What if this is all that's left
What if this is all that's left
All that's left.
And now that I'm older...
And now that I'm older,
I'm finding out how,
What it means
To start over.
I never thought I would.
I'm finding out how,
What it means
To start over.
Now that I'm older,
I'm finding out how,
What it means
To start over.
So can you feel it now?
Beneath the surface where the shadows dwell.
You can't hide from the path you chose.
So take it in, take it in,
All the burdens of the world
I never thought I'd end up this way.
I never thought I could fall so far away.
So far away.
And now that I'm older...
And now that I'm older,
I'm finding out how,
What it means
To start over.
I never thought I would
I'm finding out how,
What it means
To start over.
And now that I'm older,
I'm finding out how,
What it means
To start over.
I'm starting over.
I'm starting over.
I'd rather die for what I believe,
Than live a life without meaning.
Meaning
Oh
I'm starting over.
Than live a life without meaning.
I'd rather die for what I believe,
Than live a life without meaning.
I'd rather die for what I believe,
Than live a life without meaning.
I'd rather die for what I believe,
Than live a life without meaning.
And now that I'm older...
And now that I'm older,
I'm finding out How,
What it means
To start over.
Well, it's never gonna be that easy.
I've searched and searched,
But the searchlights have left me.
I've tried to find a way, I swear I tried,
All I have left is you by my side.
So please take the time
To get inside my mind.
I've longed for the lights,
I've stayed awake, stayed awake.
Through the nights.
What if this is all I have
What if this is all that's left
What if this is all that's left
All that's left.
And now that I'm older...
And now that I'm older,
I'm finding out how,
What it means
To start over.
I never thought I would.
I'm finding out how,
What it means
To start over.
Now that I'm older,
I'm finding out how,
What it means
To start over.
So can you feel it now?
Beneath the surface where the shadows dwell.
You can't hide from the path you chose.
So take it in, take it in,
All the burdens of the world
I never thought I'd end up this way.
I never thought I could fall so far away.
So far away.
And now that I'm older...
And now that I'm older,
I'm finding out how,
What it means
To start over.
I never thought I would
I'm finding out how,
What it means
To start over.
And now that I'm older,
I'm finding out how,
What it means
To start over.
I'm starting over.
I'm starting over.
I'd rather die for what I believe,
Than live a life without meaning.
Meaning
Oh
I'm starting over.
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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/
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.