"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.
Take me back to my boat, on the river
I need to go down, I need to come down
Take me back to my boat, on the river
And I won't cry out anymore
Time stands still, as I gaze in her waters
She eases me down, touching me gently
With the waters that flow past my boat, on the river
So I don't cry out anymore
Oh, the river is wise
The river, it touches my life like the waves on the sand
And all roads lead to Tranquility Base
Where the frown on my face disappears
Take me down to my boat, on the river
And I won't cry out anymore
Oh, the river is deep
The river, it touches my life, like the waves on the sand
And all roads lead to Tranquility Base
Where the frown on my face disappears, oh
Take me down to my boat, on the river
I need to go down, would you let me go down
Take me back to my boat, on the river
And I won't cry out anymore
And I won't cry out anymore
And I won't cry out anymore
I need to go down, I need to come down
Take me back to my boat, on the river
And I won't cry out anymore
Time stands still, as I gaze in her waters
She eases me down, touching me gently
With the waters that flow past my boat, on the river
So I don't cry out anymore
Oh, the river is wise
The river, it touches my life like the waves on the sand
And all roads lead to Tranquility Base
Where the frown on my face disappears
Take me down to my boat, on the river
And I won't cry out anymore
Oh, the river is deep
The river, it touches my life, like the waves on the sand
And all roads lead to Tranquility Base
Where the frown on my face disappears, oh
Take me down to my boat, on the river
I need to go down, would you let me go down
Take me back to my boat, on the river
And I won't cry out anymore
And I won't cry out anymore
And I won't cry out anymore
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
This song is about none of the above. Tommy Shaw wrote this in 1979 and there are several influences behind it. The music is inspired by a trip to France; the lyrics refer to the need to get away from it all. Tranquility Base was the name of the 125 acre farm he lived on in Niles, Michigan. At that time, Styx was one of the top bands in the U.S. after a relatively quick rise to superstardom; "Boat on the River" was Tommy expressing his need to be able to get home and get away from all the pressures and craziness.
PS to the above comment: "Lights" is not a drug song, just the joys of being onstage in the glare of spotlights. "Snowblind" is an anti-drug song, written from the point of view of a user (which Tommy was at the time, pretty heavily).
I've heard someone argue that Tranquility Base is the one on the moon. This is one of the best love of water songs ever.