"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.
I'll write you a letter tomorrow
Tonight, I can't hold a pen
Someone's got a stamp that I can borrow
I promise not to blow the address again
Lights that flash in the evening
Through a crack in the drapes
Jesus rides beside me
He never buys any smokes
Hurry up, hurry up, ain't you had enough of this stuff?
Ashtray floors, dirty clothes, and filthy jokes
See you're high and lonesome
Try and try and try
Lights that flash in the evening
Through a hole in the drapes
I'll be home when I'm sleeping
I can't hardly wait
I can't wait, hardly wait
I can't wait, hardly wait
I can't wait, hardly wait
I can't wait, hardly wait
I can't wait, hardly wait
Tonight, I can't hold a pen
Someone's got a stamp that I can borrow
I promise not to blow the address again
Lights that flash in the evening
Through a crack in the drapes
Jesus rides beside me
He never buys any smokes
Hurry up, hurry up, ain't you had enough of this stuff?
Ashtray floors, dirty clothes, and filthy jokes
See you're high and lonesome
Try and try and try
Lights that flash in the evening
Through a hole in the drapes
I'll be home when I'm sleeping
I can't hardly wait
I can't wait, hardly wait
I can't wait, hardly wait
I can't wait, hardly wait
I can't wait, hardly wait
I can't wait, hardly wait
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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."
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/
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.
Wow, how has no one caught on to this?
This song is about touring and how much it sucks. It's about sleeping on horrible floors, in terrible motels (when you're lucky) and being DRUNK all the time. "I'll write you a letter tomorrow, tonight I can't hold a pen."
Have any of you toured? It is exactly this song, especially when someone is waiting.
"Jesus rides beside me," in the van. Probably a slick reference to a tour manager or just a metaphor for driving straight.
This song is listed it the Wikipedia as a song about suidice.
After that context, you look at it with a different perspective.
I originally thought it was about suicide, or the acceptance of death.
However, it seems like the film named after the song takes a broader interpretation: acceptance of leaving something behind or a readiness to move forward.
I think I prefer that, because there is a paradoxical sense of optimism shining through.
@deevo the original lyrics seem to be about suicide--jumping off a water tower.
@deevo The original version with Bob Stinson on guitar was about suicide..the version that made it onto the album..completely different lyrics and so much more poppier..I prefer the Bob Stinson version with the lyrics about suicide..with Bob everything packed more punch..too bad he was such a mess..sad end to a sad life..I was grateful to have met him after a show in NYC in 1986 at the Ritz
To me it's about hoping for the future, and like hpw said, he had a crappy life before but he's left behind his past, and is now going to start afresh. Nice song.
i always heard "he never buys and he smokes." but that's just me.
I thought it was "he never drives, and he smokes."
i love the horns. great sound. great song.
@gogojessicat Darn right! In the documentary "Color Me Obsessed" there are a few comments from people about their love of the horns and someone asks a great rhetorical question of how could they go to Ardent Studios, work with Jim Dickinson and NOT have horns.<br /> <br /> I do also love the version that was released on the "Tim" reissue by Rhino. So desolate sounding and despairing.
@gogojessicat According to the 'Mats bio Trouble Boys..the horns were added by the producer unbeknownst to the band
Probably one of my favorite songs by the Replacements, it has such a mellow mood and leaves you with a good feeling inside. Rock on Replacements!!!
just about anticipation for the better things in life. hes underwent a lot of crap and is now thinking things can only look up
There is another version on the 2nd disk oif the All For Nothing compilation. It has Bob Stinson on it and different lyrics. It pretty much blows the original away (Which is saying alot considering how the original was arguebly among the bands best songs)
It sounds like it's about a swingin' party: "ashtray flooers, dirty clothes and filthy jokes"--have you ever, ever been to a party that didn't have at least two of those? I love the line, "I'll be home when I'm sleeping," which I originally took as some inspired nonsense, but now I'm realizing it's more along the lines of "anywhere I hang my head, I will call my home."