"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.
You say there's a sadness in my eyes
Inevitable when surrounded by lies
Settle for second best without a fight
I'll be sold out when the price is right
When the stars are gone
You can carry on
Hold your head up high
And the clouds roll by
I don't care what you say
You never meant that much to me, anyway
Just keep living for myself
Cause you'll never know what I thought or how I felt
You say I'm selling myself short
Sharing my heart only as a last resort
"You'll never pull yourself through"
Isolation from all I knew
Where's your smile now?
You'll still wonder how
I held my head up high
When I passed you by
I'm not ending today
Did you think that I'd just lay down and die?
Did you think that you meant that much in my life?
Inevitable when surrounded by lies
Settle for second best without a fight
I'll be sold out when the price is right
When the stars are gone
You can carry on
Hold your head up high
And the clouds roll by
I don't care what you say
You never meant that much to me, anyway
Just keep living for myself
Cause you'll never know what I thought or how I felt
You say I'm selling myself short
Sharing my heart only as a last resort
"You'll never pull yourself through"
Isolation from all I knew
Where's your smile now?
You'll still wonder how
I held my head up high
When I passed you by
I'm not ending today
Did you think that I'd just lay down and die?
Did you think that you meant that much in my life?
Lyrics submitted by oofus
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Ebba Grön
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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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.
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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,
Along with every other song by TCP...I love this one too. The verse "When the stars are gone You can carry on Hold your head up high And the clouds roll by" is so true. I don't know how they do it, but they say everything to the point. I love them. I can never thank them enough for everything. It's so great to know that you're not alone.