"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.
The humble and righteous and meek
Are teaching me who's will to seek
But who really knows how to speak
About these things
Questions of where can he go
When he is feeling so low
And kicking himself just to show
How he still bleeds
And I want to know the difference between
What sparkles and what is gold
I wonder how many eyes
Are fixed like a vulture's on me
Now I wonder if I can even move or breathe
Without disappointing someone
And I know what they call themselves
But I don't remember inviting them
To put me on this pedastal
And make me feel so naked
Afraid to look down
Afraid to turn around
I bring it on myself
I know I bring it on myself
And I want to know the difference between
What sparkles and what is gold
I walked along beside the purple mountains beneath the orange sky
Imagined what it all might look like with these planks out of my eyes
I wondered if the big white horse was coming down tonight
I wanted to taste that victory but my mouth was dry
There is only tonight and the light that bleeds from your heart
Makes me want to try and start again
Are teaching me who's will to seek
But who really knows how to speak
About these things
Questions of where can he go
When he is feeling so low
And kicking himself just to show
How he still bleeds
And I want to know the difference between
What sparkles and what is gold
I wonder how many eyes
Are fixed like a vulture's on me
Now I wonder if I can even move or breathe
Without disappointing someone
And I know what they call themselves
But I don't remember inviting them
To put me on this pedastal
And make me feel so naked
Afraid to look down
Afraid to turn around
I bring it on myself
I know I bring it on myself
And I want to know the difference between
What sparkles and what is gold
I walked along beside the purple mountains beneath the orange sky
Imagined what it all might look like with these planks out of my eyes
I wondered if the big white horse was coming down tonight
I wanted to taste that victory but my mouth was dry
There is only tonight and the light that bleeds from your heart
Makes me want to try and start again
Lyrics submitted by NoiseCore
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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Ebba Grön
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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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.
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.
I think the plank in the eye line is a reference to Jesus' advice not to concentrate on a speck of dust in someone else's eyes when you have an entire plank of wood in your own.
I've always took the big white horse coming down as a reference to that kids show in which a boy has a white toy horse (or pegasus?) that comes to life at night. Anyone remember that?
@Lyburnum OMG I made this comment 12 years ago. That's ancient.