"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.
Even with a diagram of my DNA
I leave scientists baffled 'till the end of the day
They try to pick apart my life-style and how I survive
Making money for the boss while I make nickel and dime being on time
Takin' a punch and doin' my best
Not ever hearing good job and staying upset
It doesn't take to much to find the sediments they left behind
Put down the book
Put up the walls
I'm never givin' up at all
What's yours is yours
What's mine is yours and I'll mature
Endure
Not even with ten men holding me back
Not even with a devious planned attack
Contemplating every move that I play willing the bad things all away
Keeping the worry-free happiness philosophy
That's what I let them see when they try to look at me
Put down the books
Put up the walls
I'm never givin' up at all
What's yours is yours
What's mine is yours and I'll mature.
Endure
Don't want out
These issues arise everyday
Though you try to turn your head and walk away
Though it leaves you feeling insecure
You're gonna feel your life mature
Endure
I leave scientists baffled 'till the end of the day
They try to pick apart my life-style and how I survive
Making money for the boss while I make nickel and dime being on time
Takin' a punch and doin' my best
Not ever hearing good job and staying upset
It doesn't take to much to find the sediments they left behind
Put down the book
Put up the walls
I'm never givin' up at all
What's yours is yours
What's mine is yours and I'll mature
Endure
Not even with ten men holding me back
Not even with a devious planned attack
Contemplating every move that I play willing the bad things all away
Keeping the worry-free happiness philosophy
That's what I let them see when they try to look at me
Put down the books
Put up the walls
I'm never givin' up at all
What's yours is yours
What's mine is yours and I'll mature.
Endure
Don't want out
These issues arise everyday
Though you try to turn your head and walk away
Though it leaves you feeling insecure
You're gonna feel your life mature
Endure
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
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.
Gentle Hour
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,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
Gotta agree on that. :)