"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.
One last dance
Here at the end of the empire
Makes me cry
Watchin' the moon on the ocean
Where California used to be
It's not half bad, oh-oh
Spend half your life bein' sad, whoa
Don't be scared, oh-oh
Just chronically impaired, oh-oh
Just take my hand, oh-oh
Standin' at the end of the American empire
One last song
Here at the end of the movie
They seemed so sure
At least, that's the way I remember
The war
When New York used to be
It's not half bad, oh-oh
Spend half your life bein' sad, whoa
Don't you weep, oh-oh
Half your life, fast asleep, oh-oh
Feelin' uninspired, oh-oh
Standin' at the end of the American empire
And we know that it's time to go
Heard the news on the radio
One last round before we go
Through the pale, atmospheric glow
And the oxygen's getting low
Sing a song that we used to know
One last round before we go
One last round before we go
So sad
Didn't used to get high
Didn't used to drink, and I
Didn't used to think I
Could ever dream about losin' you
Didn't used to get low
This time of night, and I
Didn't used to walk home
In the mornin' light without you
Without you
Didn't used to get high
Didn't used to drink
Didn't used to think I
Could ever dream about losin' you
You, but I do
It's you and I
It's do or die
Suicide mission
Baby, by my side
We got one life and half of it's gone
You know, I can't sleep with the television on
Didn't used to get high
With you by my side
Leave the light on
Here at the end of the empire
Makes me cry
Watchin' the moon on the ocean
Where California used to be
It's not half bad, oh-oh
Spend half your life bein' sad, whoa
Don't be scared, oh-oh
Just chronically impaired, oh-oh
Just take my hand, oh-oh
Standin' at the end of the American empire
One last song
Here at the end of the movie
They seemed so sure
At least, that's the way I remember
The war
When New York used to be
It's not half bad, oh-oh
Spend half your life bein' sad, whoa
Don't you weep, oh-oh
Half your life, fast asleep, oh-oh
Feelin' uninspired, oh-oh
Standin' at the end of the American empire
And we know that it's time to go
Heard the news on the radio
One last round before we go
Through the pale, atmospheric glow
And the oxygen's getting low
Sing a song that we used to know
One last round before we go
One last round before we go
So sad
Didn't used to get high
Didn't used to drink, and I
Didn't used to think I
Could ever dream about losin' you
Didn't used to get low
This time of night, and I
Didn't used to walk home
In the mornin' light without you
Without you
Didn't used to get high
Didn't used to drink
Didn't used to think I
Could ever dream about losin' you
You, but I do
It's you and I
It's do or die
Suicide mission
Baby, by my side
We got one life and half of it's gone
You know, I can't sleep with the television on
Didn't used to get high
With you by my side
Leave the light on
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
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.
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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.
This song came out two weeks before my college graduation. My best friend and I skipped our class trip during senior week to go on a hike and we listened to this song on the car ride home. We both went silent listening to it. It hit us - this was the end of our empire. The past four years had not been the greatest, but this was the person who pulled me out of my darkest moments and brought utmost joy to my life, and we wouldn't be able to see each other for months.
Listening to this song will always take me back to that time, our one last dance before the end of the empire.
@governoraud I just heard this song and couldnt believe what i was hearing at first. I thought "did he just say end to the American empire"? So, first i looked up the lyrics and that caused me to want to look for other people's interpretations and i found your comment here. And you're right it has been a bad past few years and unfortunately alot of other years that has led us to this point. I'm still not sure exactly how you were left feeling about the meaning of the song but I hope it caused you to want to do something about it. But at the very least, its good that your friend is able to bring you great joy whether it be from the sadness this song brought you and/or just life in general.
This song came out two weeks before my college graduation. My best friend and I skipped our class trip during senior week to go on a hike and we listened to this song on the car ride home. We both went silent listening to it. It hit us - this was the end of our empire. The past four years had not been the greatest, but this was the person who pulled me out of my darkest moments and brought utmost joy to my life, and we wouldn't be able to see each other for months.
Listening to this song will always take me back to that time, our one last dance before the end of the empire.