"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.
There's a line and it's hard to cross
Scared to say the things that we both feel
But all my life I have been so lost
Running from every heart that's real
Now I wanna see the lights
And I wanna see it all
I'm ready for the rise even if we fall
I don't wanna be alone
Wanna wake and see the sun
Darling, it has only just begun
And I'll sing it
Shout it out, sing it loud, I got something to say
You're the one that I want and I'm screaming your name
Can I kiss you? 'Cause the night is closing in
Oh I, oh I, I'm ready for this
I come alive, feel alive when you walk my way
There's a room in my heart, do you want to stay?
And I'll show you that you're all I'm thinking of
Oh I, oh I, I'm ready for love
The doubts you have make you insecure
But I don't mind if you feel unsure
I've heard you say, "We've been here before"
But close your eyes, and think of it no more
Do you wanna see the lights
Do you wanna see it all
Are you ready for the rise even if we fall
I don't wanna be alone
Wanna wake and see the sun
'Cause, darling, we have only just begun
And I'll sing it
Shout it out, sing it loud, I got something to say
You're the one that I want and I'm screaming your name
Can I kiss you cause the night is closing in
Oh I, oh I, I'm ready for this
I come alive, feel alive when you walk my way
There's a room in my heart, do you want to stay?
And I'll show you that you're all I'm thinking of
Oh I, oh I, I'm ready for love
And I know what we've been through
The hard times, we live and lose
Take my hand and I will lead you to something new
You and I will walk in time
There's no need to run and hide
Take my hand and I will show you my love is true
And I'll sing it
I'll shout it out, sing it loud, I got something to say
You're the one that I want and I'm screaming your name
Can I kiss you cause the night is closing in
Oh I, oh I, I'm ready for this
I come alive, feel alive when you walk my way
There's a room in my heart, do you want to stay?
And I'll show you that you're all I'm thinking of
Oh I, oh I, I'm ready for love
(I'm ready for love)
Oh I, oh I, I'm ready for love
Scared to say the things that we both feel
But all my life I have been so lost
Running from every heart that's real
Now I wanna see the lights
And I wanna see it all
I'm ready for the rise even if we fall
I don't wanna be alone
Wanna wake and see the sun
Darling, it has only just begun
And I'll sing it
Shout it out, sing it loud, I got something to say
You're the one that I want and I'm screaming your name
Can I kiss you? 'Cause the night is closing in
Oh I, oh I, I'm ready for this
I come alive, feel alive when you walk my way
There's a room in my heart, do you want to stay?
And I'll show you that you're all I'm thinking of
Oh I, oh I, I'm ready for love
The doubts you have make you insecure
But I don't mind if you feel unsure
I've heard you say, "We've been here before"
But close your eyes, and think of it no more
Do you wanna see the lights
Do you wanna see it all
Are you ready for the rise even if we fall
I don't wanna be alone
Wanna wake and see the sun
'Cause, darling, we have only just begun
And I'll sing it
Shout it out, sing it loud, I got something to say
You're the one that I want and I'm screaming your name
Can I kiss you cause the night is closing in
Oh I, oh I, I'm ready for this
I come alive, feel alive when you walk my way
There's a room in my heart, do you want to stay?
And I'll show you that you're all I'm thinking of
Oh I, oh I, I'm ready for love
And I know what we've been through
The hard times, we live and lose
Take my hand and I will lead you to something new
You and I will walk in time
There's no need to run and hide
Take my hand and I will show you my love is true
And I'll sing it
I'll shout it out, sing it loud, I got something to say
You're the one that I want and I'm screaming your name
Can I kiss you cause the night is closing in
Oh I, oh I, I'm ready for this
I come alive, feel alive when you walk my way
There's a room in my heart, do you want to stay?
And I'll show you that you're all I'm thinking of
Oh I, oh I, I'm ready for love
(I'm ready for love)
Oh I, oh I, I'm ready for love
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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.
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.