I was reading the newspaper, as is my wont, and found an article, opinion piece ... nah it was a discussion, podcast, among some journalists at the Washington Post, a coupla days ago. The theme of the podcast, which I preferred to read, was about the undue influence of so called elite colleges and the crazy scramble among primarily the upper classes... Etc, etc., etc.
But, what grabbed me in the article was an offhand reference to an apparently minor blip in the culture wars about a song, Fast Car, that was a hit 35 years ago by a gay Black woman, Tracy Chapman, that has been revived by a current country western star, Luke Combs, the blip being Combs is a white guy and cultural appropriation, and all that BS which, apparently dissipated, when Chapman said she thought it was great that a new generation appreciated her song...
I remember the tune, the music but I never paid much attention to it. It is a terrific song. A classic. The music is great, and the lyrics very moving. And Chapman's delivery is terrific:
Tracy Chapman - Fast Car (Official Music Video) - YouTube
I like Luke Comb's cover, too, but think the original is better.
Lyrics:
You got a fast car
And I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere
Any place is better
Starting from zero, got nothing to lose
Maybe we'll make something
Me, myself, I got nothing to prove
You got a fast car
I got a plan to get us out of here
I've been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money
Won't have to drive too far
Just across the border and into the city
You and I can both get jobs
Finally, see what it means to be living
See, my old man's got a problem
He live with the bottle, that's the way it is
He says his body's too old for working
His body's too young to look like his
Mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
I said, somebody's got to take care of him
So, I quit school and that's what I did
You got a fast car
Is it fast enough so we can fly away?
Still gotta make a decision
Leave tonight, or live and die this way
So, I remember when we were driving, driving in your car
Speed so fast, I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped around my shoulder
And I, I, I had a feeling that I belonged
I, I, I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
You got a fast car
We go cruising, entertain ourselves
You still ain't got a job
So I work in a market as a checkout girl
I know things will get better
You'll find work and I'll get promoted
We'll move out of the shelter
Buy a bigger house, live in the suburbs
So, I remember when we were driving, driving in your car
Speed so fast, I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped around my shoulder
And I, I, I had a feeling that I belonged
I, I, I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
You got a fast car
I got a job that pays all our bills
You stay out drinking late at the bar
See more of your friends than you do of your kids
I'd always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me would find it
I got no plans, I ain't going nowhere
Take your fast car and keep on driving
So, I remember when we were driving, driving in your car
Speed so fast, I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped around my shoulder
And I, I, I had a feeling that I belonged
I, I, I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
You got a fast car
Is it fast enough so you can fly away?
You still gotta make a decision
Leave tonight, or live and die this way
