"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.
'Cause you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
'Cause you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Well, you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Mike D, come and rock the sure shot
I've got the brand new doo-doo, Guaranteed like Yoo-hoo
I'm on like Dr. John, yeah, Mr. Zu Zu
I'm a newlywed, not a divorcee (yeah)
And everything I do is funky like Lee Dorsey
Well it's the taking of the Pelham 1, 2, 3
If you want a doody rhyme, then come see me
I've got the savior faire with the unique rhymin'
I keep it on and on, it's never quitting time and
Strictly handheld is the style I go
Never rock the mic with the pantyhose
I strap on my ear goggles and I'm ready to go
'Cause at the boards is the man, they call the Mario
You pull up at the function and you know I Kojak
To all the party people that are on my Bozac
I've got more action than my man, John Woo
And I've got mad hits like I was Rod Carew (yeah)
Because you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Because you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
You know you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Adrock, come and rock the sure shot (Hurra-, Hurra-)
Cane will cross fade on your ass and bust your eardrums
Listen everybody 'cause I'm shifting gears
I'm fresh like Dougie when I get my specs
And on the microphone, I come correct
Timing like a clock when I rock the hip-hop
Top notch is my stock on the soapbox
I've got more rhymes than I've got gray hairs
And that's a lot because I've got my share (oohh, weee)
I've got a hole in my head and there's no one to fix it
I gotta straighten my thoughts
I'm thinking too much (yeah) sick shit
Everyone just takes and takes, takes, takes, takes
I'll have to step back, I gotta contemplate
Well, I'm like Lee Perry, I'm very on
Rock the microphone, and then I'm gone
I'm like Vaughn Bode, I'm a Cheech Wizard
Never quittin', so won't you listen
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, yes, indeed, it's fun time
Because you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Because you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Well, you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Mca, come and rock the sure shot
I want to say a little something that's long overdue
The disrespect to women has got to be through
To all the mothers and the sisters and the wives and friends
I want to offer my love and respect to the end
Well, you say I'm twenty-something
And I should be slacking
But I'm working harder than ever
And you could call it macking
So I'm supposed to sit upon my couch just watching my TV
I'm still listening to wax
I'm not using the CD!
Well, I'm that kid in the corner
All fucked up and I wanna
So I'm gonna (yeah)
Take a piece of the pie
Why not, I'm not quittin'
Think I'm-a change up my style just to fit in
I keep my underwear up with a piece of elastic
I use a bullshit mic that's made out of plastic
To send my rhymes out to all the nations Like Ma Bell
I got the ill communication
'Cause you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
'Cause you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Well, you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Keep on and rockin' the sure shot
B-boys
B-girls
Tick-tock, tick-tick, tock-tock
'Cause you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Well, you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Mike D, come and rock the sure shot
I've got the brand new doo-doo, Guaranteed like Yoo-hoo
I'm on like Dr. John, yeah, Mr. Zu Zu
I'm a newlywed, not a divorcee (yeah)
And everything I do is funky like Lee Dorsey
Well it's the taking of the Pelham 1, 2, 3
If you want a doody rhyme, then come see me
I've got the savior faire with the unique rhymin'
I keep it on and on, it's never quitting time and
Strictly handheld is the style I go
Never rock the mic with the pantyhose
I strap on my ear goggles and I'm ready to go
'Cause at the boards is the man, they call the Mario
You pull up at the function and you know I Kojak
To all the party people that are on my Bozac
I've got more action than my man, John Woo
And I've got mad hits like I was Rod Carew (yeah)
Because you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Because you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
You know you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Adrock, come and rock the sure shot (Hurra-, Hurra-)
Cane will cross fade on your ass and bust your eardrums
Listen everybody 'cause I'm shifting gears
I'm fresh like Dougie when I get my specs
And on the microphone, I come correct
Timing like a clock when I rock the hip-hop
Top notch is my stock on the soapbox
I've got more rhymes than I've got gray hairs
And that's a lot because I've got my share (oohh, weee)
I've got a hole in my head and there's no one to fix it
I gotta straighten my thoughts
I'm thinking too much (yeah) sick shit
Everyone just takes and takes, takes, takes, takes
I'll have to step back, I gotta contemplate
Well, I'm like Lee Perry, I'm very on
Rock the microphone, and then I'm gone
I'm like Vaughn Bode, I'm a Cheech Wizard
Never quittin', so won't you listen
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, yes, indeed, it's fun time
Because you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Because you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Well, you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Mca, come and rock the sure shot
I want to say a little something that's long overdue
The disrespect to women has got to be through
To all the mothers and the sisters and the wives and friends
I want to offer my love and respect to the end
Well, you say I'm twenty-something
And I should be slacking
But I'm working harder than ever
And you could call it macking
So I'm supposed to sit upon my couch just watching my TV
I'm still listening to wax
I'm not using the CD!
Well, I'm that kid in the corner
All fucked up and I wanna
So I'm gonna (yeah)
Take a piece of the pie
Why not, I'm not quittin'
Think I'm-a change up my style just to fit in
I keep my underwear up with a piece of elastic
I use a bullshit mic that's made out of plastic
To send my rhymes out to all the nations Like Ma Bell
I got the ill communication
'Cause you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
'Cause you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Well, you can't, you won't, and you don't stop
Keep on and rockin' the sure shot
B-boys
B-girls
Tick-tock, tick-tick, tock-tock
Lyrics submitted by piesupreme, edited by titwhistle, sokorny
Sure Shot Lyrics as written by Wendell T Fite Jeremy Steig
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
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,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
Yea its great to see they grew up and still can rock :-) People lack back then about WHITE BOYS rapping :-o
Should be "never rock the MIKE with the panty hose"
Perfect example of an underrated single. When Ill Communication came out, we all bought it after hearing Sabotage, which was the first single released before the album dropped. Sure Shot is just as strong of an opening to this album as Jimmy James was for Check Your Head. I love the dog at the beginning saying, "I love you". Sure Shot is one of the more hip hop influenced songs on this album & the styles are kinda all over the place in the 1st few tracks. But after hearing their other 3 albums they had gained the trust of their fans to always place trust in them. Even though Sabotage was so awesome & these songs didn't sound like it, nor did they sound alike at all- it was still great! And you kinda forget about Sabotage when you hear songs like Sure Shot. The Beasties had perfected a new style that they created & introduced to us with Check Your Head. Ill Communication was the closing of an era. For the Beasties & the music industry in general. Kurt Cobain was dead & generation X'ers were well into their 20's. This album, along with Check Your Head was well liked by the kids who were 12 & getting into stuff like this. It was probably a much better influence on them than Licensed To Ill was on me when I was 12.
"The Disrespect To Women Has Got To Be Through To All The Mothers And Sisters A And Ahe Wives And Friends I Want To Offer My Love And Respect To The End" I like This Part. I like The Way Beastie Boys Change The Way They Rhyme. They All About Positivity Now
Oh Yes Indeed, It's Fun Time
Siiiiick. I grew up listening to this, and it is still just as great.
I love how they changed there image and still rapped as hard, man. They realized they were role models and bad ones and now they're preaching peace and equality. It's always been there, before it was partying and equality, like everyone under the umbrella of partying. But now they're being responsible, wish more people would fucking man-up and be responsible!
So, I'm curious, has anyone watched the video to this song? In several cut scenes the guys are shown all dressed in Tuxedos, in what seems to be several different location around Las Vegas, NV.
I was wondering if these scenes had any relation to Mike D's line: I'm a newlywed, not a divorcee, And everything I do is funky like Lee Dorsey
Did one of them get married around the time this song came out? Like I said, ...just curious.
Should be "And I've got mad hits like I was ROD CAREW"
Carew played for the Twins and then the Angels in the 70's, won the batting title a few times
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Carew
stoneo68 and MyPrivateAltamont are both correct on their lyrics corrections. Evidently written out by someone too young to know who Rod Carew is ...