"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.
Hands in line
Arms close to my side
I'm fighting tides of an ocean's undertow
And I figure I might not make it
And I'm taking empty
But seldom keeping
And the words retreat breathing histories into stories untold
And I unfold.
My hands are high
And I'm holding out, holding up
Because I figure that I just might make it
And I'm waking empty but seldom sleeping
And the words repeat breathing histories into stories untold
And I unfold.
Quality is what you see now in the corner of your eye.
Don't be surprised if you hear the bells ring
They form from the sky and they sound bong, bong, bong
And I'm holding up because I figure that I just make it.
And I'm waking empty but seldom sleeping
And the words repeat breathing histories into stories untold
And I unfold.
Arms close to my side
I'm fighting tides of an ocean's undertow
And I figure I might not make it
And I'm taking empty
But seldom keeping
And the words retreat breathing histories into stories untold
And I unfold.
My hands are high
And I'm holding out, holding up
Because I figure that I just might make it
And I'm waking empty but seldom sleeping
And the words repeat breathing histories into stories untold
And I unfold.
Quality is what you see now in the corner of your eye.
Don't be surprised if you hear the bells ring
They form from the sky and they sound bong, bong, bong
And I'm holding up because I figure that I just make it.
And I'm waking empty but seldom sleeping
And the words repeat breathing histories into stories untold
And I unfold.
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Dusty Springfield
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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:
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Ed Sheeran
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Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
my absolute favorite song. I think some of the lyrics here are off, but that's cool. I think, to me, this song is about letting go of your past and opening up to what the world and your life has to offer you. Overcoming any odds. I really like the line- Quality is what you see now in the corner of your eye. Kind of like if you look straight ahead, you might not find what you're looking for- you have to search for it. I think the whole idea of holding out this time is he's saying that he's not going to succumb to past beliefs that he's not capable of doing something. Just my thoughts. rock on players.
my absolute favorite song. I think some of the lyrics here are off, but that's cool. I think, to me, this song is about letting go of your past and opening up to what the world and your life has to offer you. Overcoming any odds. I really like the line- Quality is what you see now in the corner of your eye. Kind of like if you look straight ahead, you might not find what you're looking for- you have to search for it. I think the whole idea of holding out this time is he's saying that he's not going to succumb to past beliefs that he's not capable of doing something. Just my thoughts. rock on players.
I also really dig the whole bong, bong, bong part- I think these sounds are the cleansing process and the bells are starting to ring. the whole part at the end of words repeat breathing histories into stories untold- I think that's saying- stories about his past that were harmful and left dead are finally brought to light.
why haven't more people commented on this song???i don't understand!.....ok well i love this song, it reminds me of my sister.
Beautiful
I think Jason's describing what mental experience he might go through when writing a song. I think he's comparing it with standing on the beach, right where the waves crash onto the shore. He's trying to wait for just the right moment to dive into the ocean, without first being overtaken by the waves. Comparing it to song writing, it's like he's right at the brink of the words flowing from his head onto the paper but he's waiting until it's just perfect, and then the words come sailing out, just like his dive into the ocean. His "unfolding" is the moment the melodies, harmonies, and lyrics fit perfectly together like the waves crashing on the beach and then retracting to build yet another wave. Just my take on it but i LOOVE this song. My favorite Mraz creation.
first off- always been my favorite song
I always saw this song as a representation of future. difference. like finally coming to terms about the past and being able to move on. PAST: "And I figure I might not make it" PRESENT: "And I'm holding up because I figure that I just make it" FUTURE: "And I unfold."
This is probably my favorite Jason Mraz song. It's about taking chances even though you aren't sure if they'll be beneficial.
This is probably my favorite Jason Mraz song. It's about taking chances even though you aren't sure if they'll be beneficial.
In my opinion, he's talking about how he's finally, I don't want to say letting go, but he's giving in and he knows that it's the right thing to do. It's almost like when two people are fighting and they both know that one is right but the other is too subborn to give in, but they finally do and are happy about it. I may just be getting that from the line "and my arms unfold" as in like, I'm not mad anymore, lets hug. Yeah my mind works a little "different" from most.