"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.
Alphabet city is haunted
Constantina feels right at home
She probably won't say you're wrong
But you're already wrong
You're already wrong
And you threw up whatever she shot down
Said show me around this alphabet town
Said show me around
There's a name you keep repeating
You got nothing better to do
And you're with someone who'll hear you say it and just not mind
Her hand on your arm
Her hand on your arm
She put her hand on your arm
And told you her name you can't pronounce it
I'll show you around this alphabet town
I'll show you around this alphabet town
I know what you are
I just don't mind
I won't say you're wrong
I know what you want
And it's what I want
So let's go out
I'm ready to go out
I'll show you around this alphabet town
I'll show you around this alphabet town
Constantina feels right at home
She probably won't say you're wrong
But you're already wrong
You're already wrong
And you threw up whatever she shot down
Said show me around this alphabet town
Said show me around
There's a name you keep repeating
You got nothing better to do
And you're with someone who'll hear you say it and just not mind
Her hand on your arm
Her hand on your arm
She put her hand on your arm
And told you her name you can't pronounce it
I'll show you around this alphabet town
I'll show you around this alphabet town
I know what you are
I just don't mind
I won't say you're wrong
I know what you want
And it's what I want
So let's go out
I'm ready to go out
I'll show you around this alphabet town
I'll show you around this alphabet town
Lyrics submitted by EnjOy IncUbus, edited by Afternoonmoon, ol_ly
Alphabet Town Lyrics as written by Steven Paul Smith
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
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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 Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Like others have suggested, I think this is about Elliott's friendship with a prostitute, much like the alternate version of 'pretty mary k' or 'cecilia amanda' seem to be. I think Alphabet city is an area full of those you might poetically refer to as the walking dead - drug addicts, prostitutes etc ["alphabet city is haunted"]. A girl named Constantina is one of these walking dead ["Constantina feels right at home"]. She won't judge Elliott for being there, because she's there too ["She probably won't say you're wrong"]. She shows him around, and he shows her around Alphabet town - ie. they do what others in alphabet town are doing...drugs, sex, drinking, whatever.
He has another girl on his mind, and he says her name without meaning to (possibly but not necessarily during sex), but Constantina doesn't mind, she understands that people come to Alphabet city to escape the pain in their lives, and as a prostitute, she is often the stand-in for other women. Constantina isn't her real name either, it's her 'working' name. Her real name is something he can't pronounce - which could mean that her name doesn't really matter to him, the name that matters is the name of the girl he loves - the name he couldn't help but pronounce. Nevertheless, the fact that she told him her real name and that she put her hand on his arm (a gesture he places some importance on), shows that there is some kind of a true relationship here, even if it's not with the girl he's pining after. He knows she's a prostitute and/or a drug addict, but he doesn't care ["I know what you are, I just don't mind, I won't say you're wrong"]. She won't judge him, he won't judge her. They will accept each other and give each other what they want, without judgment [I know what you want / And it's what I want / So let's go out / I'm ready to go out / I'll show you around this alphabet town].
So it's a song about finding a real, if temporary, relationship in a place you would not expect. It's about misery loving company and about people bonding over their vices and finding solace in others who have also fallen on hard times. It's kind of beautiful when you think about it.