"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.
Monsieur Léo
Quand j'ai entendu vos chansons
La première fois chez un ami
J'étais un tout petit hibou
Un tout petit hibou transi.
Je cherchais mon vocabulaire
Dans le fin fond de ma nuit.
Chez vous, y'avait de la lumière.
Je suis entré, je me suis permis.
J'ai trouvé là un journaliste
Occupé à faire l'inventaire.
Planqué sagement entre deux disques
Il faisait des heures supplémentaires !
Monsieur Léo
Avant d'affronter la grand-scène
Au cabaret, me suis rôdé.
Lors de ma première parisienne
Le journaliste, je l'ai retrouvé.
M'a dit que j'étais influencé
Et que si j'avais pas copié
Y'avait du vous dans mes refrains.
Rassurez-vous, je le prends très bien.
Monsieur Léo
Si j'avais la moitié de ton verbe
Et le sang qui coule sous ta peau
Je deviendrais l'homme de ma vie.
Je passerais peut-être pour un pouët, pouët !
Monsieur Léo
Mon éditeur, qu'est un grippe-sous
Me fait la morale au rendez-vous.
Mes aventures de la rue Blondel
Paraît que ça n'intéresse personne.
Je serai distribué rue Saint-Denis.
Ma carrière sera dans les choux.
Mais comment me faire une clientèle
Si je ne montre pas mes dessous ?
Monsieur Léo
Voilà l'humain qui s'abandonne
Qui gesticule sous son bureau
Et qui, pendu au téléphone
Sacrifie nos chants les plus beaux.
Monsieur Léo
Vous nous avez laissé des traces
Un coup de griffe, un coup de patte
Des cicatrices que je caresse
Du bout des doigts quand je vous aime.
Vous êtes au mur, je vous engueule.
Sur la hi-fi, un cri tout seul.
Vous avez mal et j'entends tout.
Quand vous partez, emmenez-nous !
Monsieur Léo
Quand j'aurai fini ma chanson
Y'aura peut-être des explications.
Des gens seront pour, des gens seront contre
Et je me donnerai raison.
Musique, monsieur Léo.
Quand j'ai entendu vos chansons
La première fois chez un ami
J'étais un tout petit hibou
Un tout petit hibou transi.
Je cherchais mon vocabulaire
Dans le fin fond de ma nuit.
Chez vous, y'avait de la lumière.
Je suis entré, je me suis permis.
J'ai trouvé là un journaliste
Occupé à faire l'inventaire.
Planqué sagement entre deux disques
Il faisait des heures supplémentaires !
Monsieur Léo
Avant d'affronter la grand-scène
Au cabaret, me suis rôdé.
Lors de ma première parisienne
Le journaliste, je l'ai retrouvé.
M'a dit que j'étais influencé
Et que si j'avais pas copié
Y'avait du vous dans mes refrains.
Rassurez-vous, je le prends très bien.
Monsieur Léo
Si j'avais la moitié de ton verbe
Et le sang qui coule sous ta peau
Je deviendrais l'homme de ma vie.
Je passerais peut-être pour un pouët, pouët !
Monsieur Léo
Mon éditeur, qu'est un grippe-sous
Me fait la morale au rendez-vous.
Mes aventures de la rue Blondel
Paraît que ça n'intéresse personne.
Je serai distribué rue Saint-Denis.
Ma carrière sera dans les choux.
Mais comment me faire une clientèle
Si je ne montre pas mes dessous ?
Monsieur Léo
Voilà l'humain qui s'abandonne
Qui gesticule sous son bureau
Et qui, pendu au téléphone
Sacrifie nos chants les plus beaux.
Monsieur Léo
Vous nous avez laissé des traces
Un coup de griffe, un coup de patte
Des cicatrices que je caresse
Du bout des doigts quand je vous aime.
Vous êtes au mur, je vous engueule.
Sur la hi-fi, un cri tout seul.
Vous avez mal et j'entends tout.
Quand vous partez, emmenez-nous !
Monsieur Léo
Quand j'aurai fini ma chanson
Y'aura peut-être des explications.
Des gens seront pour, des gens seront contre
Et je me donnerai raison.
Musique, monsieur Léo.
Lyrics submitted by Oliviaka
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Hayalperest
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Holiday
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@[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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Page
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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.
This song is actually autobiographical. Musically and lyrically, it recalls "L'Étrangère" and "Monsieur William" by Léo Ferré.
During his teenage years, Boris, then known by his real name Serge Santeff, discovered Léo while playing an LP at a friend's house. Later, like Léo, he started his career as a pianist and singer in cabarets. There, a journalist noticed him and wrote a review.
Boris (his middle name), who became a songwriter too and got a recording contract with RCA in the meantime, saw the journalist again some time later, and the latter told the former that his music sounded like Léo's. Something that the young singer seemed to accept.
Then, the singer-songwriter faced his publisher, who was angry at him. He recalls his debut LP (self-titled from 1977), that has sold few copies and only seemed to interest few Parisian people. According to the publisher, all that Boris could do was giving his career a go, but the latter recognised that he wouldn't play provocation to sell more. The publisher phoned in despair, leaving his protégé who was still puzzled by his actions.
Finally, Boris went home, turned his stereo on and played one of Léo's vinyls on the turntable. From the loudspeakers, he could feel his mentor's pain from deep inside. He concluded by saying that, whether people loved Léo or not, Boris would have to agree with them, based on that story so far.