"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.
You say I need a job
I've got my own business
You want to know what i do?
None of your fucking business
But now I'm lying here
Knowing that business had a name
But now I'm a number 1 2 3 repeater, down by law
I've got this nasty habit
When I need something I reach out and grab it Once upon a time I had a name and a way
But to you I'm nothing but a number 1 2 3 repeater
Did you hear something outside?
It sounded like a gun
Stay away from that window
It's not anyone
We know only about ourselves
And what we read in the paper
Don't you know ink washes out easier than blood But we don't have to try it
And we don't have to buy it
Repeater
I've got my own business
You want to know what i do?
None of your fucking business
But now I'm lying here
Knowing that business had a name
But now I'm a number 1 2 3 repeater, down by law
I've got this nasty habit
When I need something I reach out and grab it Once upon a time I had a name and a way
But to you I'm nothing but a number 1 2 3 repeater
Did you hear something outside?
It sounded like a gun
Stay away from that window
It's not anyone
We know only about ourselves
And what we read in the paper
Don't you know ink washes out easier than blood But we don't have to try it
And we don't have to buy it
Repeater
Lyrics submitted by PLANES, edited by punkrocklives, BlueDiamondx3
Repeater Lyrics as written by Lillian Hardin Armstrong
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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/
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.
yeh repeater +3 is still the best album even though its over 10 years old
one word: nice
Repeater and 13 Songs are both good all the way through . It is about not becoming part of the nameless and faceless society around us.
brilliant song, I can always find a mood to listen to it and not want to switch it off.
the prison system, how we treat repeat offenders..."now im a number" "i just reach out and grab it" "you saw i need a job"....etc...
opps typo....saw=say
I think this is about the crack war in DC. Repeater is a reference to a gun. Furthermore, "ink washes out easier than blood" is likely a stab at the press' exploitation of the situation.
I think it's more about gangs and gang violence and people who are in gangs are just statistics to the system. I think the last part is about how the media exploits gang violence for fear mongering purposes(Fox News would probably be the obvious example.)
The title Repeater is a play on The Beatles' album Revolver. Instead of revolution we have repetition.
@Jack Pine @hinthint<br /> <br /> Interesting thoughts on the title referring to the Beatles from Jack Pine and a gun from hinthint. <br /> <br /> I always interpreted the song as about the prison system, as others have mentioned and assumed that "Repeater" was a reference to repeat offenders. And the "1,2,3" part either refers to the revolving door of a prison system with a a sky-high recidivism rate, or (2) the three-strikes laws that have been proven to be utter failures (and struck down by the Supreme Court last year for good measure).
The lyric "dont you know ink washes out easier than blood" is [for lack of a better word] rad. Fugazi is a great band more people should listen.