"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.
It was a thing I had to do
It was a message from below
It was a messy situation
It was desire for a girl
I'm not a wanker or a banker
I'm not afraid to take a risk
It is the thing females ask for
When they convey the opposite
Before I die
Before I die
Before I die
I'll get another piece of pie
I'll get another piece of pie
I'll get another piece of pie
If I have to lie
It was a thing I had to do
It was a message from below
It was a messy situation
It was a triumph of the will
Before I die
Before I die
Before I die
I'll get another piece of pie
I'll get another piece of pie
I'll get another piece of pie
If I have to lie
When the well cries out for water
It is a need that must be filled
It goes beyond the laws of nature
It takes a triumph of the will
It was a message from below
It was a messy situation
It was desire for a girl
I'm not a wanker or a banker
I'm not afraid to take a risk
It is the thing females ask for
When they convey the opposite
Before I die
Before I die
Before I die
I'll get another piece of pie
I'll get another piece of pie
I'll get another piece of pie
If I have to lie
It was a thing I had to do
It was a message from below
It was a messy situation
It was a triumph of the will
Before I die
Before I die
Before I die
I'll get another piece of pie
I'll get another piece of pie
I'll get another piece of pie
If I have to lie
When the well cries out for water
It is a need that must be filled
It goes beyond the laws of nature
It takes a triumph of the will
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
Triumph of the Will Lyrics as written by Mark Mothersbaugh Gerald V. Casale
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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/
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.
I assume by "breaks a taboo" you mean rape? That's what I think. And obviously Devo are mocking him by comparing his "it's just nature" excuse to fascism.
"Triumph of the Will" is a famous Nazi propaganda film by Leni Riefenstahl. It's a good title though - I think Devo is seeing this grand-sounding fascist mission statement as given by a guy who's just trying to get laid.
This song is about a man who breaks a taboo in order to gain sexual intercourse. He didn't want to, knew it was wrong, but he HAD to do it, because the mating urge is too strong.
I don't know you, but I've always heard (wrong) "People are dying" instead of "Before I die". That would change a bit the meaning of the song, so would contribute to the dictatorial connotation, once the "I'll get another piece of pie" would mean indifference.
Where is all of this negative rape and taboo interpretation coming from? One of Devo's favorite topics in song has always been SEX. Period. NO rape, no taboo. Just a guy explaining he was receiving a message from below, (an Uncontrollable Urge, if you will) and had to act on it. As a matter of human necessity. And to get laid, most guys will agree it takes a triumph of the will. And I believe the chorus is not "Before I die" but "meat for a guy" which I think makes morte sense as an analogy...meat for a guy, get another piece of pie before I die. Obviously, the Reienschtal film title was co-opted because devo will seize on a lot of fascist-based concepts as a means to an end to help illustrate what their ultimately making a statement about. Observations, warnings, told ya so's. They are not suggesting or condoning rape.