"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.
Give us one, give us one reason to
Give us one reason to make an impression
Give us two, give us two reasons to
Give us two reasons, we'll start this obsession again
Don't look now, it's telling lies again
Don't you know that the mirror is not your friend?
Unless you're beautiful
And then, it could be the answer to your problems
Do you think you're beautiful?
All cool and irreplaceable
Does it really matter at all?
Do you think you're beautiful?
Pretty girl, the one we idolize
Has she got cellulite or conversational skills
Is she real, did she enhance appeal
To make us love her more, who is the fool if she did?
Do you feel ashamed of who you are?
Do you love the color of your skin?
Did dad pay enough attention?
Or did your brother get more than you?
Do you think you're beautiful?
All cool and irreplaceable
Does it really matter at all?
Do you think you're beautiful?
Where should we start?
Beauty queen, magazine, steroids and silicone
Pick apart
Mirror, mirror, who is the fairest of them all?
Wouldn't you rather be smart
Than worry about what it means to get by
If you don't look right
Do you just, do you just tell yourself
That you are beautiful, do you believe it?
Did your mom say the right things to you?
Did she encourage you on your ventures?
Did junior high break you down?
Were the kids so mean that you've never quite recovered?
Or were you popular?
Or were you too busy doing your own thing?
Do you think you're beautiful?
All cool and irreplaceable
Does it really matter at all?
Do you think you're beautiful?
Oh, do you think you're beautiful?
All cool and irreplaceable
Does it really matter at all?
Do you think you're beautiful?
Give us one reason to make an impression
Give us two, give us two reasons to
Give us two reasons, we'll start this obsession again
Don't look now, it's telling lies again
Don't you know that the mirror is not your friend?
Unless you're beautiful
And then, it could be the answer to your problems
Do you think you're beautiful?
All cool and irreplaceable
Does it really matter at all?
Do you think you're beautiful?
Pretty girl, the one we idolize
Has she got cellulite or conversational skills
Is she real, did she enhance appeal
To make us love her more, who is the fool if she did?
Do you feel ashamed of who you are?
Do you love the color of your skin?
Did dad pay enough attention?
Or did your brother get more than you?
Do you think you're beautiful?
All cool and irreplaceable
Does it really matter at all?
Do you think you're beautiful?
Where should we start?
Beauty queen, magazine, steroids and silicone
Pick apart
Mirror, mirror, who is the fairest of them all?
Wouldn't you rather be smart
Than worry about what it means to get by
If you don't look right
Do you just, do you just tell yourself
That you are beautiful, do you believe it?
Did your mom say the right things to you?
Did she encourage you on your ventures?
Did junior high break you down?
Were the kids so mean that you've never quite recovered?
Or were you popular?
Or were you too busy doing your own thing?
Do you think you're beautiful?
All cool and irreplaceable
Does it really matter at all?
Do you think you're beautiful?
Oh, do you think you're beautiful?
All cool and irreplaceable
Does it really matter at all?
Do you think you're beautiful?
Lyrics submitted by Pawnstar69
Do You Think You're Beautiful Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Hayalperest
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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.
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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.
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Yo La Tengo
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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,
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“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.
because was meant to become