"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.
Baby I guess you know my story
Baby I guess you know my side
It seems I've traded love for glory
But I'm still not satisfied
Given all the years
All the cries and cheers
Don't amount to much more than pride
Take my love for you
Take tomorrow too
There's not much left inside
How we laughed when we first knew love
Singing dum-de-lum-de-lie
I taught you how to see life through love
Then I taught you how to cry
And though I must have known
How easily love is thrown
I took some chances, I don't know why
There's not much you can do
You wish that I'd been true
Darlin' so do I
Now you better hold out
Go on and hold out
Go ahead and hold out
For what you know love can be
Move on and hold out
Don't let your love be sold out
If there's anyone who knows about it
Baby that's me
Ahh you're right
You can't forget the way I lied
Time has seen you grow,
To lead your life alone
Though you tried and tried
Cried and cried
Baby I guess you know my story
Maybe there's not much left to say
You know the more we take the more we
Turn each other's hearts away
Now I'll be leaving in the morning
Leaving half of me behind
To find the pieces life's been torn in
And take whatever love I find
But you better hold out
Go on and hold out
Just walk away and hold out
For what you know love can be
Move on and hold out
Don't let your love be sold out
It's starting to be cold out
For people who live like me
Move on and hold out
And somewhere later no doubt
You'll find another hold out
Someone just like you baby, wait and see..
Baby I guess you know my side
It seems I've traded love for glory
But I'm still not satisfied
Given all the years
All the cries and cheers
Don't amount to much more than pride
Take my love for you
Take tomorrow too
There's not much left inside
How we laughed when we first knew love
Singing dum-de-lum-de-lie
I taught you how to see life through love
Then I taught you how to cry
And though I must have known
How easily love is thrown
I took some chances, I don't know why
There's not much you can do
You wish that I'd been true
Darlin' so do I
Now you better hold out
Go on and hold out
Go ahead and hold out
For what you know love can be
Move on and hold out
Don't let your love be sold out
If there's anyone who knows about it
Baby that's me
Ahh you're right
You can't forget the way I lied
Time has seen you grow,
To lead your life alone
Though you tried and tried
Cried and cried
Baby I guess you know my story
Maybe there's not much left to say
You know the more we take the more we
Turn each other's hearts away
Now I'll be leaving in the morning
Leaving half of me behind
To find the pieces life's been torn in
And take whatever love I find
But you better hold out
Go on and hold out
Just walk away and hold out
For what you know love can be
Move on and hold out
Don't let your love be sold out
It's starting to be cold out
For people who live like me
Move on and hold out
And somewhere later no doubt
You'll find another hold out
Someone just like you baby, wait and see..
Lyrics submitted by mikepauer
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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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
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.
it is self explanatory. Duh.
For a woman I know...
The lyrics are clearly about a romantic relationship that is ending and the singer is acknowledging that he wasn't always faithful to his departing partner. The "holdout' idea is just a way of saying that one party or both are not settling for an unsatisfactory relationship so they're seeking a partner they will feel closer, more connected, and more committed to.
But there's also something worth noticing about the melody -- it's based on one of the great melodies of rock 'n roll -- Procol Harum's "Whiter Shade of Pale." It's not a note-for-note ripoff of the whole Whiter Shade melody but has enough of the same chord progression to be readily recognizable. Browne knew that and talked about it in interviews at the time. .