"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.
Standing at the punch table, swallowing punch
Can't pay attention to the sound of anyone
A little more stupid, a little more scared
Every minute, more unprepared
I made a mistake in my life today
Everything I love gets lost in the drawers
I want to start over, I want to be winning
Way out of sync from the beginning
I wanna hurry home to you
Put on a slow, dumb show for you and crack you up
So you can put a blue ribbon on my brain
God, I'm very, very frightened, I'll overdo it
Looking for somewhere to stand and stay
I leaned on the wall and the wall leaned away
Can I get a minute of not being nervous
And not thinking of my dick?
My leg is sparkles, my leg is pins
I better get my shit together, better gather my shit in
You could drive a car through my head in five minutes
From one side of it to the other
I wanna hurry home to you
Put on a slow, dumb show for you and crack you up
So you can put a blue ribbon on my brain
God, I'm very, very frightened, I'll overdo it
You know I dreamed about you
For twenty-nine years before I saw you
You know I dreamed about you
I missed you for, for twenty-nine years
You know I dreamed about you
For twenty-nine years before I saw you
You know I dreamed about you
I missed you for, for twenty-nine years
Can't pay attention to the sound of anyone
A little more stupid, a little more scared
Every minute, more unprepared
I made a mistake in my life today
Everything I love gets lost in the drawers
I want to start over, I want to be winning
Way out of sync from the beginning
I wanna hurry home to you
Put on a slow, dumb show for you and crack you up
So you can put a blue ribbon on my brain
God, I'm very, very frightened, I'll overdo it
Looking for somewhere to stand and stay
I leaned on the wall and the wall leaned away
Can I get a minute of not being nervous
And not thinking of my dick?
My leg is sparkles, my leg is pins
I better get my shit together, better gather my shit in
You could drive a car through my head in five minutes
From one side of it to the other
I wanna hurry home to you
Put on a slow, dumb show for you and crack you up
So you can put a blue ribbon on my brain
God, I'm very, very frightened, I'll overdo it
You know I dreamed about you
For twenty-nine years before I saw you
You know I dreamed about you
I missed you for, for twenty-nine years
You know I dreamed about you
For twenty-nine years before I saw you
You know I dreamed about you
I missed you for, for twenty-nine years
Lyrics submitted by lampada, edited by marsattack, mfinn
Slow Show Lyrics as written by Aaron Brooking Dessner Bryce David Dessner
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
Mountain Song
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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."
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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,
It’s about someone who’s really uncomfortable in public around people, maybe a little a-social and there’s a girl who makes him feel normal, loved and comfortable. He feels out of place, like he doesn’t fit where he is, he probably feels embarrassed, a little like an alien. And he wants to go home to that one person he can be himself around and feel good about it. That one person that makes him feel normal and sane. He’s been dreaming of having this person in his life since he was born, probably referring to a life full of insecurities and doubts about people and he found the person who finally understands him and accepts him.
I agree with jahjahjeh....I think it's about a shy, somewhat socially inept guy who has been lonely most of his life, and dreaming of finding someone who understands him. Now he has found that person, but he's worried he is letting things become a mess ("everything I love gets lost in drawers") and being too intense and scaring her away ("I'll overdo it").
I think Slow Show relates to the fact that the woman may be more educated than this man. The man, feeling very insecure, feels the constant need to clown his way into the heart of his girl, lest she become bored. And he is afraid afraid of over doing it and becoming the silly idiot he himself thinks he is. I think he is also so very in love with her, and afraid that she will find out he is the fraud he thinks he is...
I haven't read a post yet that i completely agree with. I have felt this way about this since i heard it. I am looking at the lyrics now cause im going through exactly what I think they are talking about. first I dont know what the lyrics officially are but I hear the drawer line as Everything I love is lost in drugs. which makes a lot more sense. I think there may be some other lines I hear differently. Anyway, I see this song as the verse contrasting the chorus. The verse is about how everything is falling apart in his life. He has made some serious mistakes. These mistakes may have to do with drugs, relationships, work, the law, whatever it may be but they do not have anything to do with the person from the chorus. The person in the chorus is his savior. As bad as everything in his life is going he just wants to rush home and be with this one person who loves him unconditionally. This makes so much sense I could quote line for line but it makes so much sense. It is a thank you song to this person. "ut a blue ribbon on my brain". just comfort him when he is down because everything else is so wrong. I dont see how you all see this song so differentl.
This song relates to me, a 35 year-old man who did a lot of partying in his 20s who is now married with a one year-old daughter, in a much different way. <br /> <br /> "Standing at the punch table swallowing punch<br /> can't pay attention to the sound of anyone<br /> a little more stupid, a little more scared<br /> every minute more unprepared"<br /> <br /> ---I used to be great at parties....very sociable and fun. Now I think about my responsibilities and the fact that I shouldn't be out "swallowing punch" while my baby is at home. I am completely unprepared to succeed in this atmosphere.<br /> <br /> "I made a mistake in my life today<br /> everything I love gets lost in drawers<br /> I want to start over, I want to be winning<br /> way out of sync from the beginning"<br /> <br /> --I have been irresponsible in the past and effed things up. Of course, my new responsibility is way too important and I need to step up and get my brain and heart around it.<br /> <br /> "I wanna hurry home to you<br /> put on a slow, dumb show for you<br /> and crack you up<br /> so you can put a blue ribbon on my brain<br /> god I'm very, very frightened<br /> I'll overdo it"<br /> <br /> --Yup, this is how I feel every day that I am leaving the office, a friend's house, or anywhere, these days, when I am coming home to my daughter. The Slow Show is whatever performance I am putting on, slow and at her level, with the intent of cracking her up and building love.<br /> <br /> "Looking for somewhere to stand and stay<br /> I leaned on the wall and the wall leaned away<br /> Can I get a minute of not being nervous<br /> and not thinking of my dick<br /> My leg is sparkles, my leg is pins<br /> I better get my shit together, better gather my shit in<br /> You could drive a car through my head in five minutes<br /> from one side of it to the other"<br /> <br /> --Again, feeling uncomfortable in the party, singles environment in which I used to thrive. "The wall leaned away" means that the environment is no longer accepting of me and wants me out of there, and home where I belong. The party with the punch bowl isn't where I belong anymore. I need to "stop thinking of my dick" because my days of fornication are over.<br /> <br /> "You know I dreamed about you<br /> for twenty-nine years before I saw you<br /> You know I dreamed about you<br /> I missed you for<br /> for twenty-nine years"<br /> <br /> --I dreamed of true love my whole life, and found it when she was born.<br />
I really think you nailed it beanbag. Makes sense to me. Toastwaver, I'm curious if it is actually a child that the 29 years refers to or 29 years it took him to find his true love maybe?
This song is about feeling inadequate in every area of your life except your relationship. It's about being in love with the way the person you love makes you feel.
"I made a mistake in my life today," "I want to start over, I want to be winning" "I leaned on the wall and the wall leaned away" "I better get my shit together, better gather my shit in" - not being good enough, feeling awkward, not feeling like you're living up to your potential.
"I wanna hurry home to you put on a slow, dumb show for you and crack you up so you can put a blue ribbon on my brain god I'm very, very frightening I'll overdo it"
But it's all worth it to come home at the end of the day to someone who accepts you for exactly who you are. Even if you don't have any moves... :) She makes him feel smart and sexy, the opposite of how he feels around other people.
"I missed you for for twenty-nine years"
Gorgeous. It's how The National says "You complete me."
This song is pretty much about someone with zero self-esteem who is in love with someone. He sucks at relationships (everything I love gets lost in drawers) and he has never had a chance to really stay with someone for a long period of time... most likely because he is his own worst enemy.
So he knows he is a fuck up. He wants to still go home to this girl he loves because he seeks approval from her... he cares way too much about what this girl thinks of him. He already knows he will try too hard. He will say something stupid. He knows that this relationship is doomed. But only because he is so unsure of every single thing that he does.
It seems like at the end he cuts the BS and just comes clean about how he feels. Doesn't over do it and just simply states "You know I dreamed about you for 29 years, before I saw you." The song is him realizing that he isn't such a fuck up and that he knows how he feels and he just has to be honest rather than put on a show for her.
A love song. I think this is about a man in love, perhaps for the first time.
He's awkward and desperately wants approval from the person he's in love with (to give him a 'blue ribbon'). He also sees her as his sanctuary from the world, all he wants to do is go home and be with her and make her laugh.
He's afraid he's going to blow it - "God I'm very, very frightening, I'll overdo it" - because he wants to impress her SO much, and can't think of anything else, and can't find peace in normal social situations.
"Can I get a minute of not being nervous And not thinking of my dick?"
And
"You could drive a car through my head in five minutes From one side of it to the other"
And she (I'm just assuming it's a she) is perhaps the love of his life, the one he always dreamed to find. And it scares him.
You know I dreamed about you For twenty-nine years before I saw you You know I dreamed about you I missed you for, for twenty-nine years
Just a beautiful song.
I love reading about everyone's interpretations...so interesting! <br /> <br /> I got a much more tragic image in my head when I heard this song for the first time...maybe it's the ex ER worker in me. <br /> <br /> I think he is at his lover's funeral....."standing at the punch table, swallowing punch<br /> Can't pay attention to the sound of anyone A little more stupid, a little more scared<br /> Every minute, more unprepared". <br /> <br /> I think he feels he is to blame for his lover's death...the "drawers" could symbolize a coffin.<br /> "I made a mistake today<br /> Everything I love gets lost in the drawers<br /> I want to start over, I want to be winning<br /> Way out of sync from the beginning<br /> I wanna hurry home to you"<br /> <br /> I think he may have crashed a car with his lover, maybe he was showing off by speeding to impress, but sadly it ended in tragedy. Now he longs for a "slow show", and regrets thinking with his "dick".<br /> He is injured from the car crash too...."My leg is sparkles, my leg is pins I better get my shit together, better gather my shit in". He must have sustained some leg trauma from the crash, and has pins in his bones.<br /> <br />
You know I dreamed about you for twenty-nine years before I saw you
There just seems so much ache and half joy in this line I can't even catch my breath. I imagine him naked on the edge of his bed cock flailing writing this on the back of a cigarette pack.
Wow. I am imagining that now too.
wtf
@Brian902 lol
the national is so damn good
"i leaned on the wall and the wall leaned away"
i know it's kind of lame just to quote what's already been quoted above...but jesus.
that line is GOOD. so funny and so humanly pathetic...what an album this is.
definitely my favorite line in the song
My favorite line in the song as well. really good
Rumor has it Branwell Bronte died leaning on a wall to prove he could.
Standing at the punch table swallowing punch.... : Im at a party listening to all the bullshti being said around me with empty conversations that mean nothing to me that are not of any interest to me and im stuck here putting up with it. (punch has several meaning of getting drunk; punched by all this conversations that are going over my head)
I made a mistake in my life today...: I got into a fight with youtoday and now im here at a party realizing how much i miss you and realizing that i dont and shouldnt be here and i shouldnt have foughten with you over it
I wanna hurry home to you..(my fav part of the whole song) Hes saying that while hes at this party hes stuck at the only thing he wishes he could do is repair the fight he had with you and go back to being with you to make you laugh instead of being at theis akward party that is making me more frightened with every minute i spend away from you and frightened that you are still mad at me.
I leaned on the wall adn the wall leaned away..: im looking for soem type of support but couldnt find it in any one of the people im surrounded by
You could drive a car through my head..: Imagine driving through a dark tunnel; you are in the dark and the only thing you can see is the light at the end of the tunnel that you are dying to get to (the light is the person you want to make laugh. you want to be back at that happy point int eh relationship with that significant person
You know I dremed about you for 29 years: You are everythign i ever desired and sought out in a person .
This song is beautiful it cna be taken in so many directions. It can be a testament of love and apology to a significant other or it can be viewed as a song talkign about an akwardness of feeling like you havent reached your goals in life and you cant be happy and calm and sure of yourself or think about anything else until you achieve this goal.
I cried when I listened to the song.I don't know why. You know I dreamed about you for twenty-nine years before I saw you You know I dreamed about you. I missed you for for twenty-nine years I began to love the song, the band just because these lyrics.It's just beautiful...