"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.
Welcome aboard
This is 2013
And Alaclair is very much commited
To the safety
Of the babouins and babouines
Of the Bas
And that’s why
We’d like you to pay careful attention
To this important safety information
First
Please make sure
That your seat belt is securely fastened
To fasten
Insert the metal thing
Into the buckle
And tighten the buckle
By pulling the loose end
Away from you
Once we reach our cruising altitude
You may decide
To untie your tite gêne
The bécosse
Is located
At the back
Please take a moment
To look at your safety pamphlet
In the case of a rapid change
In cabine pressurization
Oxygen masks will automatically drop
From the compartment above your seat
Place the mask over your nose and mouth
In the case of a plane crash
we suggest that you learn how to swim
Before taking the plane
The emergency exit is situated
At the same place
As the non-emergency exit
To your left
Thank you very much
And we hope you enjoy your flight
On Air Bas-Canada
This is 2013
And Alaclair is very much commited
To the safety
Of the babouins and babouines
Of the Bas
And that’s why
We’d like you to pay careful attention
To this important safety information
First
Please make sure
That your seat belt is securely fastened
To fasten
Insert the metal thing
Into the buckle
And tighten the buckle
By pulling the loose end
Away from you
Once we reach our cruising altitude
You may decide
To untie your tite gêne
The bécosse
Is located
At the back
Please take a moment
To look at your safety pamphlet
In the case of a rapid change
In cabine pressurization
Oxygen masks will automatically drop
From the compartment above your seat
Place the mask over your nose and mouth
In the case of a plane crash
we suggest that you learn how to swim
Before taking the plane
The emergency exit is situated
At the same place
As the non-emergency exit
To your left
Thank you very much
And we hope you enjoy your flight
On Air Bas-Canada
Lyrics submitted by foxesmate4life
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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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.