"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.
Ah, mother
I reach for you in the dark
Ah, mother
I reach for the dark
Ah, ah
All alone and I can't decide
And I can't decide on him
All alone and I can't seem to
Can't seem to, oh, begin
Holding on (I won't)
And I got my mind (I can't)
And I got my heart (I know)
And I'm in a bind
Holding on (I won't)
And I can't decide (I can't)
On him (I know)
I won't, I can't
I know, I'll let you go!
I won't, I can't
I know, I'll let you go!
I'll let you go!
I'll let you go!
I go and I know, and I wait for you
Hold on, and go on, 'cause I'll wait for you
Faster, faster, the leaves will fall
The sky will grey and my skin will dull
Hold on, and go on, 'cause I'll wait for you
All alone and I can't decide
And I can't decide on him
All alone and I can't seem to
Can't seem to, oh, begin
Holding on (I won't)
And I can't decide (I can't)
I can't decide on him (I know, I'll let you go!)
Holding on (I won't)
And I can't (I can't)
Seem to, can't seem to, oh, begin
(I know, I let you go!)
Can't seem to oh begin
Can't seem to ohbegin
(I let you go!)
Can't seem to begin
Can't seem to begin (I let you go!)
I reach for you in the dark
Ah, mother
I reach for the dark
Ah, ah
All alone and I can't decide
And I can't decide on him
All alone and I can't seem to
Can't seem to, oh, begin
Holding on (I won't)
And I got my mind (I can't)
And I got my heart (I know)
And I'm in a bind
Holding on (I won't)
And I can't decide (I can't)
On him (I know)
I won't, I can't
I know, I'll let you go!
I won't, I can't
I know, I'll let you go!
I'll let you go!
I'll let you go!
I go and I know, and I wait for you
Hold on, and go on, 'cause I'll wait for you
Faster, faster, the leaves will fall
The sky will grey and my skin will dull
Hold on, and go on, 'cause I'll wait for you
All alone and I can't decide
And I can't decide on him
All alone and I can't seem to
Can't seem to, oh, begin
Holding on (I won't)
And I can't decide (I can't)
I can't decide on him (I know, I'll let you go!)
Holding on (I won't)
And I can't (I can't)
Seem to, can't seem to, oh, begin
(I know, I let you go!)
Can't seem to oh begin
Can't seem to ohbegin
(I let you go!)
Can't seem to begin
Can't seem to begin (I let you go!)
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
sorry, i had to edit the lyrics, because why would she sing "I got my car", when she doesn't even have a driving licence? ;) you can read her beautiful lips here youtube.com/watch
take care
Holding on and I got my mind, and I got my heart and I'll end up fine*
I go and i know, and i wait for you i'll hold on and go on, cuz i'll wait for you. faster faster my legs will go the sky will gray and my skin will grow and i'll hold on and go on cuz i'll wait for you*
At least thats what I'm hearing out of her lyrics
Also i'm not sure at the moment if its: faster faster my legs will go or faster faster my days will go
It's "faster, faster, the leaves will fall."