"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.
(spoken)
America totally kicks ass. Strongest nation on Earth. Nobody can kick our ass. Nobody can intimidate us, because we don't give a fuck. We are motherfucking hard like a gangsta with a nine by our side. Except there's no five-O gonna roll up and beat our ass down. And we're not really criminals, because there's no international law. No international law, because there's no international courts. And there are no international courts because we refuse to recognize any court that might ever try to stop us from doing whatever the fuck we want.
No trials, no courts, no laws for America. So we can do whatever the fuck we want. And we're not even criminals.
Doesn't that fucking kick ass?
What an excellent country!
And we've gotten rid of the hypocrisy too. We used to make bullshit excuses for whatever it is we wanted to do. We would tell the world it was 'cause of human rights, or because the country was a dictatorship, or attacked first–we don't do that anymore. We don't make bullshit excuses, because we understand now. We don't have to justify ourselves. We don't have to tell the rest of the world shit. We do whatever the fuck we want for one reason, and one reason only: because we can.
And all those other countries, they can suck our dick. They can bend over and take it up the ass, because the rest of the world is America's bitch. Half the world works for pennies a day to make us fat and rich. The deal is, maybe they get to eat, and we get cheap clothes, cheap oil, whatever we want, and if they don't like it they can suck on it, because the rest of the world is America's bitch.
Because we are the lone superpower. And all the other little countries and continents are mere mortals at best. They are like the homeless: we just step over them on the way to steppin' on somebody else. They aren't worth the time it takes to piss in their mouth. We don't care. We're America. We kick ass!
What are they gonna do? Arrest us? Ostracize us? Gang up on us? Let them fuckin' try; we are America and we will fuck them up! If they ever fuck with us, we will just shake it off and use it as an excuse to fuck them up some more. And the more they try to hurt us, the more medieval on their asses we will get. Because we can.
Because America is all-powerful. America kicks ass. And America doesn't have to answer to anybody. Unless, and until, God or the space aliens come to kick our ass.
America totally kicks ass. Strongest nation on Earth. Nobody can kick our ass. Nobody can intimidate us, because we don't give a fuck. We are motherfucking hard like a gangsta with a nine by our side. Except there's no five-O gonna roll up and beat our ass down. And we're not really criminals, because there's no international law. No international law, because there's no international courts. And there are no international courts because we refuse to recognize any court that might ever try to stop us from doing whatever the fuck we want.
No trials, no courts, no laws for America. So we can do whatever the fuck we want. And we're not even criminals.
Doesn't that fucking kick ass?
What an excellent country!
And we've gotten rid of the hypocrisy too. We used to make bullshit excuses for whatever it is we wanted to do. We would tell the world it was 'cause of human rights, or because the country was a dictatorship, or attacked first–we don't do that anymore. We don't make bullshit excuses, because we understand now. We don't have to justify ourselves. We don't have to tell the rest of the world shit. We do whatever the fuck we want for one reason, and one reason only: because we can.
And all those other countries, they can suck our dick. They can bend over and take it up the ass, because the rest of the world is America's bitch. Half the world works for pennies a day to make us fat and rich. The deal is, maybe they get to eat, and we get cheap clothes, cheap oil, whatever we want, and if they don't like it they can suck on it, because the rest of the world is America's bitch.
Because we are the lone superpower. And all the other little countries and continents are mere mortals at best. They are like the homeless: we just step over them on the way to steppin' on somebody else. They aren't worth the time it takes to piss in their mouth. We don't care. We're America. We kick ass!
What are they gonna do? Arrest us? Ostracize us? Gang up on us? Let them fuckin' try; we are America and we will fuck them up! If they ever fuck with us, we will just shake it off and use it as an excuse to fuck them up some more. And the more they try to hurt us, the more medieval on their asses we will get. Because we can.
Because America is all-powerful. America kicks ass. And America doesn't have to answer to anybody. Unless, and until, God or the space aliens come to kick our ass.
Lyrics submitted by Eamon
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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/
Dude. It's called "speaking in character." John is not a raging jingoistic asshole.
This is a staggeringly powerful song. John S. Hall can barely contain his temper as he rages (with blatant, unadulterated sarcasm) against US foreign policy. He is saying that the United States cares not a jot about any other country, as far as he can tell, and he obviously does not wish to be seen to be complicit in policies which create further sentiments of anti-Americanism around the world, sentiments which inspire atrocities such as those perpetrated by al-Qaeda and other ruthless militants. As a humanitarian, it pains him greatly to note that the American state is seen by many people throughout the world to be behaving in a manner that is no better than that of the very worst playground bully. You can bet your house that John S. Hall did not vote for McCain in the recent presidential election.
lol your wrong... He is obviously making a mockery of the U.S. and the way we do business.
I'd say John loves America, but can speak about it satirically as well. And that's what this is. Entirely.
One of my favourite King Missile tracks. Obviously it's a satirical piece. I'm not sure how some people seem to miss that. The music fits so well. I love how the bass gently carries the tune into a full blown rant and rage. Those chugs of harsh distorted guitar and shrieks of violin.really getting the listener into the mood. It sounds like an almost unstoppable machine chugging along.
Really quite a powerful piece of music, both lyrically and instrumentally. They go hand in hand. In my opinion, this really shows the genius of King Missile that so many have missed. I find it a huge shame that they are so overlooked because most perceive them as just a college-humour band. Yet, I am so happy I listened to every single release of theirs and saw beyond all of that. One of my top bands because of works like this/ And also the brilliantly put together lyrics of others such as "Ed" deserve a mention.
No, no, no!!
This is not sarcasm!! It is really his opinion!! I' am a German and I met John S. Hall and the producer Kramer from Shimmy Disc in the Netherlands! I know him well and what he think!! No, no, no!!! This night there was a documentation on the serious Arte TV about VIETNAM!!! What the hell 'They' had to do there?! I don't know any country which is so hawky like the US! I' m absolutely convinced tha Amerika will drive us to the 3. World War!!! John would say: "World War III is Giant ice cream Cone"!
"MARK WELL MY WORDS! THEY ARE OF YOUR ETERNAL SALVATION" W. Blake
Think of it!
Ozymandias
I think it's pretty obvious that it means that John S. Hall loves America.
King Missile is awesome, too bad not enough people know about them :(
sarcasm haha! america does not kcik ass mr president!