"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.
who do you touch,
who do you touch when you dream of me
or do you think of me at all
what do you see,
what do you see when the lights go out
or do you just stare at the dark
i'm running away
cause here can no longer stay
you've already taken too much from me
**chorus**
release me from memory
and tell me the road gets easier from here
i'll be by my side and do it the hard way
well i'm standing
withstanding
and hoping my thoughts don't overwhelm me
but take
take it instead, the shell from my head
and wash those stupid waves goodbye
what do you do
what do you do now you don't have me
do late night promises surffice
what would it be like
what would it be like if you never had to think of me at all
so take my advice
but make it a surprise
cause youve already taken so much from me
**chorus**
wash those stupid waves goodbye (repeat 4X)
so take my advice
and make it a surprise
cause youve already taken so much from me
**chorus **
wash those stupid waves goodbye 2X
who do you touch when you dream of me
or do you think of me at all
what do you see,
what do you see when the lights go out
or do you just stare at the dark
i'm running away
cause here can no longer stay
you've already taken too much from me
**chorus**
release me from memory
and tell me the road gets easier from here
i'll be by my side and do it the hard way
well i'm standing
withstanding
and hoping my thoughts don't overwhelm me
but take
take it instead, the shell from my head
and wash those stupid waves goodbye
what do you do
what do you do now you don't have me
do late night promises surffice
what would it be like
what would it be like if you never had to think of me at all
so take my advice
but make it a surprise
cause youve already taken so much from me
**chorus**
wash those stupid waves goodbye (repeat 4X)
so take my advice
and make it a surprise
cause youve already taken so much from me
**chorus **
wash those stupid waves goodbye 2X
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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.
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,
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.