"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.
If you feel insignificant, you better think again
Better wake up because you're part of something way bigger
You're part of something way bigger
Not just a speck in the universe
Not just some words in a bible verse
You are the living word
Ahh, you're part of something way bigger
Bigger than you, bigger than we
Bigger than the picture they framed us to see
But now we see it
And it ain't no secret, no
Understand the truth 'bout that question in your soul
Look up, don't look down, then watch the answers unfold
Life is your birthright, they hid that in the fine print
Uh, take the pen and rewrite it
Step out your estimate
Step in your essence and know that you're excellent
Rise (rise), the spirit is teachin'
Oh, I'm not just preachin', I'm takin' my own advice
Let mama let you know (let you know)
Mama's just tryin', I can't get no days off
I don't get no days off
Truly, I'm feelin' it, I had to say that thing twice
Tryin' to be a good wife
Still really hard, I can't lie
But I promised you I will fight, so I fight
If you feelin' frustrated and (oh)
You're sinkin', I'm jumpin' in (oh)
Forgiveness is key because we're fightin' something way bigger
You'll never lose, we are winners
I'll be the roots, you be the tree
Pass on the fruit that was given to me
Legacy, ah, we're part of something way bigger
Bigger, you're part of something way bigger
Bigger than you, bigger than we
Bigger than the picture they framed us to see
Legacy, oh, you're part of something way bigger
Let love be the water
I pour into you and you pour into me
There ain't no drought here
Bloom into our actual powers
I'll be your sanctuary, you just don't know it yet
You just don't know it yet
No matter how hard it gets
You got my blood in ya
And you're gonna rise
You're part of something way bigger
You're part of something way bigger
Bigger than you, bigger than me
Bigger than the picture they framed us to be, yeah
Ooh, ooh, you're part of something way bigger
Understand the truth 'bout that question in your soul (bigger)
Look up, don't look down, then watch the answers unfold (bigger)
Life is your birthright, they hid that in the fine print
Take the pen and rewrite it
Step out your estimate
Step in your essence and know that you're excellent
Rise, the spirit is teachin'
Oh, I'm not just preachin', I'm takin' my own advice
If you feel insignificant, you better think again
Better wake up 'cause you're part of something way bigger
You're part of something way bigger
I'll be the roots, you be the tree
Pass on the fruit that was given to me
Legacy, ah, we're part of something way bigger
Better wake up because you're part of something way bigger
You're part of something way bigger
Not just a speck in the universe
Not just some words in a bible verse
You are the living word
Ahh, you're part of something way bigger
Bigger than you, bigger than we
Bigger than the picture they framed us to see
But now we see it
And it ain't no secret, no
Understand the truth 'bout that question in your soul
Look up, don't look down, then watch the answers unfold
Life is your birthright, they hid that in the fine print
Uh, take the pen and rewrite it
Step out your estimate
Step in your essence and know that you're excellent
Rise (rise), the spirit is teachin'
Oh, I'm not just preachin', I'm takin' my own advice
Let mama let you know (let you know)
Mama's just tryin', I can't get no days off
I don't get no days off
Truly, I'm feelin' it, I had to say that thing twice
Tryin' to be a good wife
Still really hard, I can't lie
But I promised you I will fight, so I fight
If you feelin' frustrated and (oh)
You're sinkin', I'm jumpin' in (oh)
Forgiveness is key because we're fightin' something way bigger
You'll never lose, we are winners
I'll be the roots, you be the tree
Pass on the fruit that was given to me
Legacy, ah, we're part of something way bigger
Bigger, you're part of something way bigger
Bigger than you, bigger than we
Bigger than the picture they framed us to see
Legacy, oh, you're part of something way bigger
Let love be the water
I pour into you and you pour into me
There ain't no drought here
Bloom into our actual powers
I'll be your sanctuary, you just don't know it yet
You just don't know it yet
No matter how hard it gets
You got my blood in ya
And you're gonna rise
You're part of something way bigger
You're part of something way bigger
Bigger than you, bigger than me
Bigger than the picture they framed us to be, yeah
Ooh, ooh, you're part of something way bigger
Understand the truth 'bout that question in your soul (bigger)
Look up, don't look down, then watch the answers unfold (bigger)
Life is your birthright, they hid that in the fine print
Take the pen and rewrite it
Step out your estimate
Step in your essence and know that you're excellent
Rise, the spirit is teachin'
Oh, I'm not just preachin', I'm takin' my own advice
If you feel insignificant, you better think again
Better wake up 'cause you're part of something way bigger
You're part of something way bigger
I'll be the roots, you be the tree
Pass on the fruit that was given to me
Legacy, ah, we're part of something way bigger
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
BIGGER Lyrics as written by Derek James Dixie Akil C. King
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
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.
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.