"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.
I was just a poor young little ugly thing
Momma kicked me out, just shy of 17
I was lookin' for love, in the fire, in the flames
But the only way to love, is to get yourself burned
That's how I became the runaway
I gave my hand to a man, he put the ring on me
He couldn't understand why he wasn't just like me
I should've known by the look in his eyes
We looked at the same guys
That's when I realized
No hands will hold me
I'll always be lonely
Is there someone out there who can break
This habit of going
There's no way of knowing
I promise I'll always be a little runaway
Your little runaway
If you're not careful, you'll get your heart broken
Take me as an example, I'll be a token
I used to fall head over feet
But everyone I loved deceived me
So, what choice does that leave
A runaway
You could say my shadow is the only friend of mine
But it gets pretty lonely in the nighttime
My shadow is almost as hard to see, oh
Almost as hard as it is to love me
A runaway
No hands will hold me
I'll always be lonely
Is there someone out there who can break
This habit of going
There's no way of knowing
I promise I'll always be a little runaway
I'll be a runaway
Momma kicked me out, just shy of 17
I was lookin' for love, in the fire, in the flames
But the only way to love, is to get yourself burned
That's how I became the runaway
I gave my hand to a man, he put the ring on me
He couldn't understand why he wasn't just like me
I should've known by the look in his eyes
We looked at the same guys
That's when I realized
No hands will hold me
I'll always be lonely
Is there someone out there who can break
This habit of going
There's no way of knowing
I promise I'll always be a little runaway
Your little runaway
If you're not careful, you'll get your heart broken
Take me as an example, I'll be a token
I used to fall head over feet
But everyone I loved deceived me
So, what choice does that leave
A runaway
You could say my shadow is the only friend of mine
But it gets pretty lonely in the nighttime
My shadow is almost as hard to see, oh
Almost as hard as it is to love me
A runaway
No hands will hold me
I'll always be lonely
Is there someone out there who can break
This habit of going
There's no way of knowing
I promise I'll always be a little runaway
I'll be a runaway
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
Runaway Lyrics as written by Tanner Schneider Greg Kurstin
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
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/
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.