"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.
Swing in this tree
Oh I am bounce around so well
Branch to branch,
limb to limb you see
All in a day's dream
I'm stuck
Like the other monkeys here
I am a humble monkey
Sitting up in here again
But then came the day
I climbed out of these safe limbs
Ventured away
Walking tall, head high up and singing
I went to the city
Car horns, corners and the gritty
Now I am the proudest monkey you've ever seen
Monkey see, monkey do
Then comes the day
Staring at myself I turn to question me
I wonder do I want the simple, simple life that I once lived in well
Oh things were quiet then
In a way they were the better days
But now I am the proudest monkey you've ever seen
Monkey see, monkey do
Monkey see, monkey do
Oh I am bounce around so well
Branch to branch,
limb to limb you see
All in a day's dream
I'm stuck
Like the other monkeys here
I am a humble monkey
Sitting up in here again
But then came the day
I climbed out of these safe limbs
Ventured away
Walking tall, head high up and singing
I went to the city
Car horns, corners and the gritty
Now I am the proudest monkey you've ever seen
Monkey see, monkey do
Then comes the day
Staring at myself I turn to question me
I wonder do I want the simple, simple life that I once lived in well
Oh things were quiet then
In a way they were the better days
But now I am the proudest monkey you've ever seen
Monkey see, monkey do
Monkey see, monkey do
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Hayalperest
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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”
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
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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.
first off, fatbob 158, you obviously have no idea what you're talking about; there are numerous (as you put it) "half human monkees/apes," you just are uninformed of their existence. secondly, i agree with everyone on the fact that this song rocks. one idea i'd like to throw out is this:
Oh things were quiet then In a way they were the better days But now I am the proudest monkey you've ever seen
i love these lines. on the one hand you love what your past has been and all the joy it has brought you ("In a way they were better days"). yet at the same time, you know that you have a future that hangs on the accomplishments you have made even though taken the new path may lead to a different outcome than originally planned ("Then comes the day, Staring at myself I turn to question me").
glorious song, definitely one of my favorites
This song is a reflection of our society. Corrupted by capitalism, we all leave our nice, cozy, simple lives, in the search for the greater gold. Money. Money = happiness...or so many of us tend to believe. Money = power, and this is true...unfortunately...and this power leads to a sense of pride...of superiority. (A sense of false superiority in my view.) Anyways, my point is, this life a riches may, and probably will, bring us many things, but never fulfillment, which is what we are all searching for...and this monkey is realizing he may be rich, he may be proud, but maybe that's not what he needs, maybe the simple branches of home would have been enough.
This is a great DMB song that many people overlook. I love the last couple lines..."I wonder do I want the simple, simple life that I once lived in well Oh things were quiet then In a way they were the better days." To me this song could be about evolution and primates and stuff. But on a simpler level it's about moving onto to new and different experiences, but still being able to stay yourself. Before the monkey left he was like all the rest, but after "going to the city" he becomes proud. This song is all about knowing who you are and being able to experience new and different things. A solid DMB song, one of the best. DMB forever!
im surprised nobody has anything to say about proudest mokey! its pretty straightforward, i think just about anyone can grasp the meaning. regardless, this is just a fun song to listen to. all the little bells and whistles in the background are funny and remind me of those whistle suckers i used to eat when i was little.... hehe, the good old days.
this is my favorite dmb song~no contest
Simple one, for sure.
I think it has elements of moving out of your parent's house, or similar environmental/personal changes. I think it's about personal changes, that nobody can aprreciate but the person experienceing it. Pride comes from leaving the 'safe limbs' sometimes. Means a lot to me, this song.
i'm with crazygmofpkr19 its a very very simple meaning, its about the evolution of monkeys to humans! humans think they're better than "primative" monkeys and such, but they are our origins, we're just prouder monkeys
there's nothing like feeling like the proudest monkey.. I love it! Just listen to this song, if you love DMB, you'll love this song!! Becareful though, it can get stuck in your head for days!!
ps, drinking the drink i've seen dave matthews say he has before so many concerts: red, red wine
Plain and simple, I feel like I'm floating when I hear this song. I turn off the lights in my room and play it, and feel as if I'm walking on air. That's how powerful this song is. I agree with the meaning, about venturing off into the unknown.