"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.
Welcome to the revolution, the new rock revolution
I am right and you are wrong
Every dynasty will fall, a great big fall
Let's tear the wall brick by brick by brick
Let's drop a wrench in the system
You taught us how to dream
You taught us how to love
You taught us how to cry
But that don't mean a thing? It's all been done before
Welcome to the revolution, the new rock revolution
It's all been done before
Welcome to the revolution, the new rock revolution
It's the new rock revolution
It's the new rock revolution
We are rebels with no yell
We are idols in our prime of nothingness
Let's do it for the right reasons, except the right ones
Let's do it for a cause
You taught us how to dance
You taught us how to listen
You taught us how to rock
But that don't mean a thing?
There's this girl, she lives in her made world
She says, it's all been done, she says, it's all been done
I just might, lay with her for a while
She says, it's all been done, she says, it's all been
She says, it's all been done for days and years to come
I am right and you are wrong
Every dynasty will fall, a great big fall
Let's tear the wall brick by brick by brick
Let's drop a wrench in the system
You taught us how to dream
You taught us how to love
You taught us how to cry
But that don't mean a thing? It's all been done before
Welcome to the revolution, the new rock revolution
It's all been done before
Welcome to the revolution, the new rock revolution
It's the new rock revolution
It's the new rock revolution
We are rebels with no yell
We are idols in our prime of nothingness
Let's do it for the right reasons, except the right ones
Let's do it for a cause
You taught us how to dance
You taught us how to listen
You taught us how to rock
But that don't mean a thing?
There's this girl, she lives in her made world
She says, it's all been done, she says, it's all been done
I just might, lay with her for a while
She says, it's all been done, she says, it's all been
She says, it's all been done for days and years to come
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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.
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,
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.
amazing song, first reunion show song i've ever heard, and I love it so much. great band, really gnarly and catchy sound.