"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.
Made a wrong turn, once or twice
Dug my way out, blood and fire
Bad decisions, that's alright
Welcome to my silly life
Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood
Miss knowing it's all good, it didn't slow me down
Mistaken, always second guessing
Under estimated, look, I'm still around
Pretty, pretty please
Don't you ever, ever feel
Like your less than less then perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like your nothing
You are perfect to me
You're so mean,
When you talk about yourself, you are wrong
Change the voices in your head
Make them like you instead
So complicated,
Look how big you'll make it!
Filled with so much hatred
Such a tired game
It's enough, I've done all I can think of
Chased down all my demons, I've seen you do the same
Oh, pretty, pretty please
Don't you ever, ever feel
Like your less than less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing
You are perfect to me
The whole world stared so I swallowed the fear,
The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer
So cool in line and we try, try, try,
But we try too hard, it's a waste of my time
Done looking for the critics, 'cause they're everywhere
They don't like my jeans, they don't get my hair
We change ourselves and we do it all the time
Why do we do that? Why do I do that?
(Why do I do that?)
(Yeah, oh pretty pretty please, oh)
Pretty, pretty please
Don't you ever, ever feel
Like your less than less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing
You are perfect to me
You're perfect, you're perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing
You are perfect to me
Dug my way out, blood and fire
Bad decisions, that's alright
Welcome to my silly life
Mistreated, misplaced, misunderstood
Miss knowing it's all good, it didn't slow me down
Mistaken, always second guessing
Under estimated, look, I'm still around
Pretty, pretty please
Don't you ever, ever feel
Like your less than less then perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like your nothing
You are perfect to me
You're so mean,
When you talk about yourself, you are wrong
Change the voices in your head
Make them like you instead
So complicated,
Look how big you'll make it!
Filled with so much hatred
Such a tired game
It's enough, I've done all I can think of
Chased down all my demons, I've seen you do the same
Oh, pretty, pretty please
Don't you ever, ever feel
Like your less than less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing
You are perfect to me
The whole world stared so I swallowed the fear,
The only thing I should be drinking is an ice cold beer
So cool in line and we try, try, try,
But we try too hard, it's a waste of my time
Done looking for the critics, 'cause they're everywhere
They don't like my jeans, they don't get my hair
We change ourselves and we do it all the time
Why do we do that? Why do I do that?
(Why do I do that?)
(Yeah, oh pretty pretty please, oh)
Pretty, pretty please
Don't you ever, ever feel
Like your less than less than perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing
You are perfect to me
You're perfect, you're perfect
Pretty, pretty please
If you ever, ever feel
Like you're nothing
You are perfect to me
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.