"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.
He took the stable,
Bred me to be a mare.
Made the brethren able,
Gave me a room.
I never asked him.
I never meant meant to stay.
He dressed the table,
Wore a dress to be my mare.
There's no permanence
When you never leave the stall.
He ran to other wars,
Won't write me at all.
I want to kill him,
I want to cut his brain,
And when it's over,
I know I'll feel okay.
He was a champion;
We were riding side by side.
Into the frontier.
He left me without a ride.
Where did the hour go
When the champions intercede?
He stole the cargo,
Took every chance to leave.
There's no permanence
When you never leave the stall.
He ran to other wars,
Won't write me at all.
I want to kill him,
I want to cut his brain,
And when it's over,
I know I'll feel okay.
I want to kill him,
I want to cut his face,
And when it's over,
I know I'll feel okay.
I want,
I want,
I want,
I want.
Bred me to be a mare.
Made the brethren able,
Gave me a room.
I never asked him.
I never meant meant to stay.
He dressed the table,
Wore a dress to be my mare.
There's no permanence
When you never leave the stall.
He ran to other wars,
Won't write me at all.
I want to kill him,
I want to cut his brain,
And when it's over,
I know I'll feel okay.
He was a champion;
We were riding side by side.
Into the frontier.
He left me without a ride.
Where did the hour go
When the champions intercede?
He stole the cargo,
Took every chance to leave.
There's no permanence
When you never leave the stall.
He ran to other wars,
Won't write me at all.
I want to kill him,
I want to cut his brain,
And when it's over,
I know I'll feel okay.
I want to kill him,
I want to cut his face,
And when it's over,
I know I'll feel okay.
I want,
I want,
I want,
I want.
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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Hayalperest
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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.
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
I love Sufjan Stevens. This song creeps the shit out of me.
definitely like roman candle! "i want to hurt him/i want to give him pain" "i want to kill him/ i want to cut his brain"
so similar.
guys. i seriously think it's about cain and able. in the bible, they were brothers, one was better than the other so he got jealous and murdered his own brother in a field. sad story.
i think you are overstretching it a little but good thought...
Even the kindest of men feel anger.
Is it just me, or does this song sound a lot like Roman Candle by Elliott Smith?
houseofdolls, i came here to post the exact same thing. it's similar enough that i think it's possible he did it purposefully as a reference to the song. although i'm not exactly sure why he would.
This reminded me of that Poe story. The Tell-Tale Heart or something.
I have no clue what it means. "I want to cut his brain"
=I WOULDNT WANT TO BE ON SUFJAN'S BAD SIDE :D
Here are the exact lyrics for this song, transcribed from Sufjan's handwriting in the first pressing of the album. The lyrics are originally written without line breaks.
Kill: he took the stable, bred me to be a mare. Made the brethren able, gave me a room. I never asked him. I never meant to stay. He dressed the table, wore a dress to be my mare. There's no permanence when you never leave the stall. He ran to other wars, won't write me at all. I want to kill him, I want to cut his brain, and when it's over, I know I'll feel okay. He was a champion; we were running side by side into the frontier. He left me without a ride. Where did the hour go when the champions intercede? He stole the cargo, took every chance to leave (chorus). I want to kill him, I want to cut his face, and when it's over, I know I'll feel okay. I want I want I want I want.
Interesting, this song seems to share the characteristic of an extremely bitter break-up with the song "Jason." Except with both, it's man he's speaking to.
i was about to post that exact same comment, house of dolls that chorus is too close to be a coincidence i think and surely sufjan is familiar with elliot maybe he's identifying with that feeling/elliot smith saying, "i know where you're coming from" basically ?