"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.
It's freezing in Bristol
There's love on the tele
A girl grinning at me
She's doing the shimmy
And she's cruel
And she's skinny
And she's a fool
For the last living rock king
It's her thrill
It's her wonder
It's her will
It's her way home
She's right where she always wanted to be
She can't change
Change...
Change...
It's lightening in London
(It's lightening in London)
Where's shit on the tele
(there's shit on TV)
You're pushing my buttons
(pushing my buttons)
You know how to touch me
And I knew
That you'd choose me
By the times
That you tried to refuse me
It's your thrill
It's your wonder
It's your will
It's your way home
You're right where you always wanted to be
You can't change
Change...
Change...
(woah)
It's morning in Philly
(it's morning in Philly)
My head's feeling heavy
(my head's feeling heavy)
The sun makes me dizzy
(the sun makes me sick)
You monkey, you left me
And I know
That you miss me
By the way
That you kiss and resist me
It's my thrill
It's my wonder
It's my will
It's my way home
I'm right where I always dreamed I would be
I can't change
Change...
Change...
(woah)
There's love on the tele
A girl grinning at me
She's doing the shimmy
And she's cruel
And she's skinny
And she's a fool
For the last living rock king
It's her thrill
It's her wonder
It's her will
It's her way home
She's right where she always wanted to be
She can't change
Change...
Change...
It's lightening in London
(It's lightening in London)
Where's shit on the tele
(there's shit on TV)
You're pushing my buttons
(pushing my buttons)
You know how to touch me
And I knew
That you'd choose me
By the times
That you tried to refuse me
It's your thrill
It's your wonder
It's your will
It's your way home
You're right where you always wanted to be
You can't change
Change...
Change...
(woah)
It's morning in Philly
(it's morning in Philly)
My head's feeling heavy
(my head's feeling heavy)
The sun makes me dizzy
(the sun makes me sick)
You monkey, you left me
And I know
That you miss me
By the way
That you kiss and resist me
It's my thrill
It's my wonder
It's my will
It's my way home
I'm right where I always dreamed I would be
I can't change
Change...
Change...
(woah)
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
Welp, just found out the "Touch" Soundtrack was recorded in August 1996, so i guess the 2nd verse and chorus of this song could be/probably is about Louise & Dave.