"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.
They beam things into your head
The ghosts of your pleasure in contempt
When we were liars things were seamless
When we were wired the world was like a secret
I close my eyes now and I scream
I turn the light on and there's nothing left redeeming
I saw your face before it changed
The gun it makes you look nicer in a bad way
So low for how high
Well it's too late tonight
And I'm sure you're right
So low for how high
And after this there's just the circus
And every morning your carnie heart stops workin'
It gets tight in there sometimes
Looking for those defects
Talking like it's a reflex
I close my mouth now and I scream
I open the door and there's nothing left redeeming
I saw your face before in rough
You should wait around awhile
'Cause you're body's bound to turn up
So low for how high
Well it's too late tonight
And I'm sure you're right
So low for how high
So low for hooooooooooooooooooooooooow
High!
The ghosts of your pleasure in contempt
When we were liars things were seamless
When we were wired the world was like a secret
I close my eyes now and I scream
I turn the light on and there's nothing left redeeming
I saw your face before it changed
The gun it makes you look nicer in a bad way
So low for how high
Well it's too late tonight
And I'm sure you're right
So low for how high
And after this there's just the circus
And every morning your carnie heart stops workin'
It gets tight in there sometimes
Looking for those defects
Talking like it's a reflex
I close my mouth now and I scream
I open the door and there's nothing left redeeming
I saw your face before in rough
You should wait around awhile
'Cause you're body's bound to turn up
So low for how high
Well it's too late tonight
And I'm sure you're right
So low for how high
So low for hooooooooooooooooooooooooow
High!
Lyrics submitted by becka9785, edited by babyygirl1969
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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,
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
This is a truly beautiful song. One of my favorites off of Beautiful Midnight.
According to a MGB fansite, "Running For Home was written by Matt about disintigrating relationships with people he knew due to the band's increasing popularity"
amazing song. makes me want to cry.
magnificent
I adore it. Makes me want to cry, too. I just love it so damn much.
definately one of the best mgb songs in my opinion. i love the way his voice soars. beautiful.
this song always helps me when i am feeling depressed, it doesn't really make me feel better, it just helps me realize that thier are so many people going through a "down" time some where in thier life, and that i have so many people to talk to, its amazing and i thank matt good for it, peace and email me if anyone wants to talk
matt sings so tenderly. i always imagined this song was about a friend who committed suicide, but only because of "i saw your face before it changed" as though he was there with them when they shot themself in the head. of course that suicide is probably a metaphor. like a lot of his songs it's about how tiring life can be and knowing you won't work right ever so you just do what you can which is really nothing and stay alive until you die. or maybe it's about embracing being flawed
I love this song so much...Running for Home, Fated and Symbolistic White Walls are his absolute best. The new album is simply fantastic. I would prefer though that the people submitting their lyrics submit the proper lyrics and check their spelling and typing errors before hitting submit. It takes away from Matts genius when you can't do things properly.
i second rahs... but my goodness this is one heck fo a song.. my fav of all time.
This really is beautiful music, empowered by one of my favorite canadian singer, Matt Good! The smoothness of his voice rolls through the words like water. Very emotional & powerful. As for the meaning of the words; It seems to be about the oppresion of society, how we are slaves to the machine, this system we so depend on but crushes us like nothing matters and how it all affect us at the end of the day (I open the door and theres nothin left redeeming...)