"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.
[Verse 1]
Why’d you have to leave in July
On a peaceful and serene Summer night
I wish that you would've waited until September
Just a couple more memories to remember
I guess I have to pay you back to your lender
I guess I have to send you back to the sender
But then again maybe you're gone til November
And maybe this is just part of the agenda
[Hook]
Why’d you have to go so soon
We miss you, we miss you, we miss you
We miss you, we miss you, we miss you
[Verse 2]
Why couldn’t you come right home
When you seen the text message in your phone
I should have put my pride aside to come and find you
I could've told you about the niggas that's behind you
Could have told you all about my intuition
I could have even bought the extra ammunition
But now you moved on so fuck you
Should’ve known from day one I couldn’t trust you
[Hook]
Why’d you have to go so soon
We miss you, we miss you, we miss you
We miss you, we miss you, we miss you
[Verse 3]
Why would they take you from me
Why the doctors couldn't stop the bleeding
If you in a better place, then you’re free
Well then, why can’t they make me believe it
You said that you will leave these streets
And I know you didn’t mean in a body bag
But now you see you not bulletproof
And I’m mad cause
You’re the best that I’ve ever had
[Hook]
Why’d you have to go so soon
We miss you, we miss you, we miss you
We miss you, we miss you, we miss you
[Outro]
I’ll never love again
I’ll never love again
I’ll never, I’ll never
I’ll never love again
What would you suggest that I do now
Why’d you leave
I hate you
Why’d you have to leave in July
On a peaceful and serene Summer night
I wish that you would've waited until September
Just a couple more memories to remember
I guess I have to pay you back to your lender
I guess I have to send you back to the sender
But then again maybe you're gone til November
And maybe this is just part of the agenda
[Hook]
Why’d you have to go so soon
We miss you, we miss you, we miss you
We miss you, we miss you, we miss you
[Verse 2]
Why couldn’t you come right home
When you seen the text message in your phone
I should have put my pride aside to come and find you
I could've told you about the niggas that's behind you
Could have told you all about my intuition
I could have even bought the extra ammunition
But now you moved on so fuck you
Should’ve known from day one I couldn’t trust you
[Hook]
Why’d you have to go so soon
We miss you, we miss you, we miss you
We miss you, we miss you, we miss you
[Verse 3]
Why would they take you from me
Why the doctors couldn't stop the bleeding
If you in a better place, then you’re free
Well then, why can’t they make me believe it
You said that you will leave these streets
And I know you didn’t mean in a body bag
But now you see you not bulletproof
And I’m mad cause
You’re the best that I’ve ever had
[Hook]
Why’d you have to go so soon
We miss you, we miss you, we miss you
We miss you, we miss you, we miss you
[Outro]
I’ll never love again
I’ll never love again
I’ll never, I’ll never
I’ll never love again
What would you suggest that I do now
Why’d you leave
I hate you
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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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.
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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.