The song is about the cycle of poverty and just how hard it is to escape the cycle of poverty. I think it's intended to be both uplifting and deeply sad.
Agree. Very sad as it also highlights the cycle of the behavior that is stereotypical of the impoverished, which I guess could be argued as the same thing?
I don’t think it’s about poverty so much as it is about young people seeing a path of life laid out before then that they don’t want but will most likely take… The moment when a young person sees how hard life is being an adult
Which is fitting, because after hearing this song thousands of times in the last 33 years, I have yet been able to make it through the entire song without tearing up. It's a masterpiece.
😭 I'm probably going to catch grief for saying this but it's how I feel.. This song is so iconic and so beloved that y'all's reaction kind of ruined the vibe it's meant to have. You worried more about her her voice and if she was a girl or a guy that you missed the beauty of Tracy's masterpiece and her beautiful story. I hope you listen to it again without the "ha ha" mindset. 🎧🎤✌
You're being unfair picking on her. Her voice is different but clearly a talented folk singer. If you want weird voices try Buffy St. Marie, Bob Dylan, Axel Rose, Lee Marvin etc. all distinct all worth listening to.
Come on guys, shape up. Now was NOT the time to switch roles. Brad, you should be in your element here, this is all about the words, the pathos, the story…… Get over the fact that this is sung by a woman with a superb deep voice, and listen to the tale she tells. This is profound class.
She has emotion in her voice. It’s a song about trying to change her circumstances, if not now maybe it will be never. It’s a powerful song in my opinion.
You should pay attention to her lyrics both of this but also all of her songs. They are beautiful and full of meanings. Fast car always gave me the feeling of dreaming of getting out of poor and bad life situation, young dreams, maybe not too realistic but that keep you going and not thinking at your misery. Sad enough it didn't come true like it doesn't come true for most of people. Everybody highlight the "American dream" but I love the fact of writing a song of the impossible dream.
Normally I'm not one to pay attention to lyrics whatsoever, especially for songs from my era in the 60's,70 and 80's, but there are a few songs exactly like this that cry out and please listen to what I have to say. This is one of those songs. On the other side of the coin, I have rarely learned the words to any songs. In fact most of my group back in the day made up some of the words when we did want to sing along. We mostly knew the catchy parts. Today it's the opposite it seems. Lex is the exception that one reason she reminds me of people I grew up with. I assume she gets it from her mom. Not to be offended. It's not about disrespecting or not paying attention intentionally. It's just a different way of hearing music some of us have. Brad usually dissects lyrics and tbh, that kinda drives me nuts. That's my side of the coin.
I've finally had it with this channel their lack of understanding of this song goes way beyond a joke and the mocking of her voice, well Tracy Chapman has more talent in her strumming hand than these two will ever have
This song is really brilliantly constructed. The song is about a woman stuck in the cycle of poverty, unable to escape to a better life, and the instruments reflect that. In the verses, when she's talking about being stuck and unable to escape, the guitar just plays the exact same simple riff over and over and over again. The riff isn't going anywhere, it's just repeating the same pattern, just like her. The only time the music changes, when it kicks up into the bigger, happier sound is when she's remembering what it was like to go driving in the guy's fast car, back when they were younger and she still had dreams of escaping her small, poor life and becoming someone. Back when she still felt free and like there was a brighter future ahead. But then the song keeps dropping back into that simple, repetitive riff as we time jump forward and they're still stuck. And he's not helping. She's inadvertently ended up with someone just like her father: a drunk who doesn't work, a guy whom she has to take care of because he's not even trying. Also, at the beginning of the song, when she still has hope, she tells the guy that they need to make a decision: "we can leave tonight or live and die this way." Basically saying we need to get out of this dead-end life and find something better or we'll die never having gone anywhere or done anything. By the end of the song, she's just telling the guy "YOU need to make a decision / leave tonight or live and die this way" because she's given up hope that she'll ever escape to something better. She's giving him the option to go but she's accepted her fate that she's never going anywhere. And the song ends with that same repetitive riff because she's still stuck in that life, forever. It really is a gorgeous, heartbreaking song that is genius in its construction, beginning to end. I'm sad that you both got so caught up in giggling at and trying to figure out the tone of her voice that you basically ignored the song and missed everything that makes it such a genius piece of art. I usually enjoy watching y'all but this time I'm honestly disappointed in the reaction.
ngl I kind of felt the same, but also I guess that's on me. I really like this song and the message, and I want anyone who hears it to appreciate it the same way, but that's not really realistic to expect everyone to be moved by and value the same things. Reaction channels have built up a sort of culture for their reactions that doesn't easily lend itself to introspection or being moved by a song, just moving through a list, liked it or didn't like it, next, next, next. IDK, hopefully they or other people hearing it for the first time give it some more spins and the story sinks in. I don't think I fully appreciated this song the first time I heard it, of course I was a teenager heh.
My favorite part is the shifting meaning of the phrase "I had a feeling I could be someone", in each verse it takes on a different color of emotion, just like the phrase "you got a fast car". Much more emphasized in a live performance.
I agree. Great description. This song always pulls at my heart, to this very day. Tracy Chapman is amazing. Incredible voice and lyricist and the pain in her voice in this song is profound. Definitely disappointed in this reaction because I love her so much. The entire album with this song is amazing.
I was staying in a homeless veterans living facility, they had a dinner for us and Tracy Chapmans mother sang for us… beautiful voice and a beautiful person I wish gods love upon her
@THE ACOUSTIC CAGE see I have more confidence in god, I give gif more credit than u do! I don’t think god would be so PETTY as to be offended by such trivial things ….. but now god knows what u think
How much of a song can you take in on one listen? Singles used to come out, the Lp came out, and you played them over and over. Then maybe there's another single, another album, perhaps not. The singer is a girl, she tells her story, her job changes, he gets a job finally, kids come along and life goes on. Our narrator is dissatisfied. Her man is an alcoholic like the father she sacrificed her education for, she herself feels like she's drunk, there's a lot packed into the lyric. I don't think Tracy Chapmen ever made a better album than the one this song is on. The story in Tracy Chapman's "For My Lover" is more pleasant for me to contemplate. There are many car songs in the annals of Rock and Roll. "Road Runner" by Jonathan Richman, "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen, "Deadman's Curve" by Jan and Dean or whoever.
I absolutely adore you two but this reaction hurt my heart a little. This song made people face homelessness and poverty when it was so easily ignored.
[Everyone]: "Such a powerful critique on the cycle of generational poverty, trapping people to relive the lives of their parents in abusive relationships" [Brad & Lex]: "It was a vibe with a yodelling voice."
This is one of the most hopeful, sad, and overall soulful songs I ever heard. I was a fan when it came out. It still brings a tear to me eye lol. Look at where she's at in this, her feelings, her aspirations. Real blues.
I agree James. I'm kinda bummed that Lex & Brad didn't really get the poignant meaning about the cycle of poverty. It's sad that even with dreams of a better life sometimes people seem destined to stay on an endless treadmill.
The comment below (by Cate) is correct to say that the song is about how hard it is to escape the cycle of poverty. Equally, it's about a lady finding herself in a repeating cycle of negative relationships. The lady in the lyrics was trapped, looking after her alcoholic father and left that situation only to find herself as the sole breadwinner for her family with an alcoholic husband. A tragic story of dreams being crushed by reality.
Please listen to this masterpiece again so you can focus on the story Tracy is telling you and hear the music. When the tempo goes up it reflects the speed of the "fast car" and captures that feeling, that expectation, that hope that you can become something larger than your circumstances, that maybe your dreams will come true despite your limitations, responsibilities and problems. It's beautiful and heartbreaking and she is an awesome singer and artist.
This is way too good a song to have this poor a review. One of the best written and most emotional songs from the 80’s and you guys missed it. Felt like guys were just looking at this review as “on to the next one..”
I remember buying this cd back in the 80's cause of the song 'Baby can I hold you tonight' and i got to admit that when i heard fast car for the first time which, was near the start of the cd....I wasn't blown away by it. I really wanted to hear the song i bought the cd for. But, after listening to the album a few more times, this song just absolutely grows on you and it's my favourite and the only one i really listen to after all these years. An absolute masterpiece
Simple story but it went right over their heads. For a couple living in a trailer part you'd think they'd understand the story rather than prattle on about who Tracy sounds like or whether she' s a man or woman. The story tells us how easy it is leave one loser with a similar loser who happens to have the means of escape. Then the new boss becomes the same as the old boss.
Tracy Chapman was a homeless street performer in Boston back in the day, she would work the subways, street corners and the like, she was discovered near the Boston Garden by a music producer who threw a 100 dollar bill in her case and his business card.
I remember when Tracy Chapman hit. The Queen of Folk was Joni Mitchell and the New(ish) Kid was Suzanne Vega. Chapman hit the scene and claimed her space on the folkie stage with her powerful lyrics and her distinctive voice and musical style. She introduced a rawness that had been missing, no disrespect to Joni or to Ms. Vega. I’m not sure Folk is the most accurate label-let’s call her a brilliant singer-songwriter and leave it at that.
Wow...one of the most profound songs to hit the radio waves...and Brad misses it!!!! We can usually depend upon Brad to get the meaning of the lyrics. Bummer! The "fast car" is a metaphor for dreams & hopes. The story starts when she is a teenager. She quits school to take care of her worthless dad. Then, she turns to her boyfriend & asks him to take her away. But, her boyfriend is as worthless as her dad. She takes care of him. She takes care of the kids. Poverty follows her. Her dreams are empty.
@@sikksotoo Lex was a bit charming right away, but it got old fast. She's always trying to compare something to another and it drives me nuts. It's not funny or cute anymore.
I was in Middle School when this came out. My mom was just divorcing my dad because of his drug problem, inability to hold a job, and abuse to us all because he couldn’t deal with his own failures. So this song resonated very hard with her (and me), and it still hits me hard to this day. You should hear her song “Gimme One Reason”, it’s a blues banger, completely different vibe from this one.
Zac, I know your struggle. If you want another relatable one about going through that, try Jason Isbell's Dreamsicle. Another one that'll hit you in the feels.
One of the most painful songs ever written. Heartbreaking 💔 Edit. A beautiful human who could be far more being dragged down by others. But loyalty is more important than personal achievements. Heartbreaking 💔
Brad & Lex, not only does Tracy Chapman have a fantastic Alto voice, she is also the queen of lower register vibrato - that's the 'wavering-Delores' you're interpreting. This song tells the story of two young people - one in particular, wishing to run away from the harsh life & alcoholic dependent Father - & escape to the city (where they consider that the streets are paved with gold & ambition) - but as is often the case, their destitution re-establishes itself at this new location. A cyclical, inescapable, life-long struggle.
One of the most beautiful songs ever written, full of hope in parts, sadness, regret, and yet still hope at the end too. Very melancholic. Beautiful voice too.
Complete and utter failure by both of you for missing the sadness and meaning in this song. It's an absolutely beautiful and sad song, but that was totally lost on you. You can't see the forest for all the trees in the way.
So what. Perception is in the eye of the beholder. They cover MANY SONGS a month and it's difficult to pinpoint what the true meaning is on their first take.
Listen to the words. Its about the words. About trying to escape poverty with your high school love, filled with ambition you run to the city, but fail to make it. You then look back at that ambition with sorrow at the failure of opportunity.
My bestest friend and I grew up in dysfunctional homes on the poor side of town. Can't believe it almost 20 years ago she told me that this song reminded her of us. That we were gonna make it out. We were in college at the time & on our way to rising. We both graduated but only one of us gained momentum and eventually left the hometown. Now in our 40s, this song makes me sad as I hope and pray she can also get out of there.
I just like the fact they cover so many songs I like. Lex is funny and cute. As far as reactions I think they are the worst reactors I've ever heard. Brad never knows what the song is truly about even though he's usually reading the lyrics and lex just liked the beats 90% of the time. Nothing Else.
It's hard to imagine a world were there are people hearing this song or Tracy Chapman for the first time. Her first album was every, where all the time when it came out. It's seared into my brain. Groundbreaking and soul stirring. Thanks for doing this.
Its SOUL! She is so amazing. I could listen to her everyday, and it would never get old. She can sing something so personal, yet have everyone living it with her.
One of my favorite songs of all time. Reminds me of my childhood. Mom picking me up from school listening to this on the way home. As I got older the song took on a whole new meaning to me. Funny how you don’t realize things when you are young and innocent. This song always gets me in the feels when I think of those memories. Makes me appreciate my mom even more being a single mom, getting a second job when I was born, working 7 days a week because my lame ass “dad” left when I was a baby. Thanks for making it all seem so easy mom
Lex is talking about vibrato and mixing it up with what vocal style Irish singers do. If you want the queens of vibrato, you have to listen to some Pretenders. Chrissy Hynes masters it.
I will never forget when that iconic voice broke onto the scene in 1988 and shook the world! I do not know the words to convey how good she is, so I will just post up some statistics. Her debut album, Tracy Chapman, has been certified platinum 6X, earned her 6 Grammy nominations including Album of the year (She won 3 of those nominations), Best New Artist, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Fast Car and Best Contemporary Folk Album. Most of all, her voice still transports me away from reality and when you find a voice that can do that you hang on to it. I always love your reactions guys, but you missed this one. It's OK, still like you guys enough to keep following.
Wow! This is solid gold hits. I’m surprised you couldn’t hear that. Tracy Chapman is one of the best singers ever and a classic. You have to listen to the lyrics. She is a great story teller. Thought for sure you both would pick up on that.
An absolutely beautiful song about trying to change your circumstances in life. I know people in the comments are all mad you aren't taking it the way "you're supposed to", but I, for one, am just glad that people are listening to this song for a first time in 2022, and maybe it will stick with you like it did with us when we were little and heard it on the radio.
Please try more of Tracy, she has a unique voice...and is such a talented songwriter and singer. So many GREAT songs of hers did not get the recognition they deserved, just as she in my opinion does not get the attention and praise that she deserves. A few of her songs you should listen to are "Give me a reason" / " Talkin' bout a revolution" / "Cold Feet" / "At this point in my life" / "Smoke and Ashes"....just please try a few of those and you will be pleased I am sure !! Love your reactions and just your honest approach to each artist and song you are discovering.
Ya sometimes you guys just don't seem to get it, I mean the lyrics were right there, how could you not know what it's about ? This is such a sad song, some of the comments have explained it well enough, about being trapped in the cycle of poverty & alcoholism, and of having hope that things can get better.
There's a really cool story behind this song. I forget the details but I believe it was a concert at Wimberley in 1988 where she was one of the performers in a decent lineup that included Stevie Wonder. Apparently somebody lost Stevie's prerecorded background music or something like that and he got really upset and left. The organizers went around frantically looking for someone to fill the slot and when Tracy heard this she agreed to go back on stage. This was before she had made her name big in the music industry having only released I believe one album so far. She had been working on this song for a while but hadn't played it for anyone yet but she decided to give it a shot and as she began playing and singing the crowd got quiet and at the end everybody cheered. There's a video of it, it's pretty cool. th-cam.com/video/teZsA_ci-7E/w-d-xo.html I suggest the next song of hers that you react to should be "At This Point In My Life" th-cam.com/video/eRBzThST8hE/w-d-xo.html
@@jamesdavisjr6937 I gotta give credit for even knowing this story to The Professor of Rock, he covered this story on his channel. I highly recommend anyone who loves music to check his channel out, he's very knowledgeable about all generas of music from between the 1950's to the early 2000's. Here's a link to his channel: th-cam.com/users/ProfessorofRock
The song had already been released as a single about 2 months before when she appeared at Wembley (Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute Concert on 11 June 1988) but hadn't done too well. It had just charted the week before the concert at number 88 in the UK, but this concert pushed it up the charts, to eventually peak at number 5 in the UK (and number 6 in US). I remember the concert, I was 20 at the time, and I think that was probably the first time I heard the song (although I probably heard it almost every day for the next few months!), but didn't know about the Stevie Wonder thing. Apparently some of his equipment 'went missing' and he returned later and played using Whitney Houston's instruments.
@@davidjames3080 You're right, I was a little off about the release. I decided to actually look it up to be sure and from what I can find Stevie Wonder had lost a prerecorded disk of synthesized music for his set and he left the stadium crying with some of his entourage. It didn't say whether or not he returned but it'd be kinda messed up if he didn't.
This is probably one of the best songs ever recorded. It’s devastating, heartbreaking, and uplifting all at the same time. You spent the entire time listening for her singing tone instead of the story she’s telling. The song is an entire ocean and all you did was stick your toes in
I love Tracy Chapman’s voice! It is so rich and her song writing is Poignant and beautiful! You guys never know what the song is about and you have the words! How is that possible? 😂This song is so straight forward…she wanted a better life than she was raised with but it didn’t turn out as she hoped for! It’s alternative rock and she is amazing! If you had checked out the video you would have seen she’s a woman! She had another great hit that was a bit of a groove called Give Me One Reason!❤️❤️
Amazing singer, amazing song. I think many of us in our youth when going through tough times wished we could just hop in the car and get away from tough things we were facing
I was just starting out as a young adult when this song came out. It always hit me as a beautiful coming of age song. You want so much more than what you saw growing up but then somehow you settle for the same and repeat the trauma to the next generation
I still remember Tracy at Live Aid. She walked out to half a million people guitar in hand and looking like a deer in headlights but just did her thing and blew us away.. I think you were a little overly analitic and slightly rude to be honest guys. Her voice is haunting and beautiful Go check out the whole album Tracy Chapman Shes a seriously underrated artist
It's all in the lyrics. A simple song, beautiful yet heartbreaking. All she wanted was for a better life, he had other ideas. All she sees now is a repeat of what her parents went through. Tracy Chapman is profoundly talented 🖤
I saw her on the library steps in Cambridge MA in the early 80s and headlining the Lilith Fair years later. She and her band are awesome! Great singer/storyteller/guitarist.
Remember songs were designed to be heard over and over because of the way radio markets worked. By the third or fourth listen, these beautiful lyrics started to make sense. By the time one heard it a dozen times, you’d get. Devastating.
I was in a similar situation and am perpetuating it myself and thats why I cant listen to this without crying, I am a product of a dysfuntional family due to alcohol drugs and now Im in the same boat.
You two are so focused on the sound of Ms. Chapman's voice that you missed the story. This song broke my heart the first time I heard it. The repetition of the melody mirrors the repetition of day after day existence in poverty. The fast car represents the hope of getting out-of getting ANYWHERE. It's tragically sad and brilliant. And it still puts tears in my eyes.
sad story, but oh so true to so many lives. I absolutely love how in the beginning it was "We gotta make a decision", and it turned to "YOU gotta make a decision" at the end. A true classic song.
She is one of my favorites. She is a true artist. Singer. Songwtiter and poet. She studied poetry. Love her unique voice. "Give Me One Reason" won a Grammy. You to listen to it again. It is a story. You need to see her live. She did a song with Pavarotti on Pavarotti and Friends.
This song's about the cycle of poverty, and how hard it is to break. Her father is a drunk, and she puts her future on hold so she can take care of him. But then she meets this guy, and sees an opportunity to run off with him and have a real future. Fast forward, he ends up being a drunk like her father and she leaves like her mother did to again try and escape from her shitty situation. It's a sad song, but she delivers it so beautifully that you really feel it.
![ILLSLICK - WINTER IS COMING [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dwTMeM1zIhQ/mqdefault.jpg)
The song is about the cycle of poverty and just how hard it is to escape the cycle of poverty. I think it's intended to be both uplifting and deeply sad.
Agree. Very sad as it also highlights the cycle of the behavior that is stereotypical of the impoverished, which I guess could be argued as the same thing?
Being impoverished in America is more of a mental state. The same homeless person can rise to riches.. Don't say it isn't true...
She condemned herself to a low station in life by inviting a lazy deadbeat drunk to live off her meager income.
I don’t think it’s about poverty so much as it is about young people seeing a path of life laid out before then that they don’t want but will most likely take… The moment when a young person sees how hard life is being an adult
@@oreally8605 it's not true, it is however what we tell ourselves as a people so we don't have to care or help.
Tracy is one of the best American poets. She captures America in her words.
The quiver in her voice fit the song perfectly. It sounded like she was on the verge of tears, explaining why they just couldn't go on that way.
Which is fitting, because after hearing this song thousands of times in the last 33 years, I have yet been able to make it through the entire song without tearing up.
It's a masterpiece.
Its a light yodel that comes from celtic culture which permeates folk music everywhere in the world
@@timstarkes173 Ain't it funny how that "yodel" says so much?
Across cultures, across languages, across time. It resonates in the human spirit.
@@matthewhudson5685 I always thought she was using a vibrato in her voice. I love the people who can do that as well as the yodel.
😭 I'm probably going to catch grief for saying this but it's how I feel.. This song is so iconic and so beloved that y'all's reaction kind of ruined the vibe it's meant to have. You worried more about her her voice and if she was a girl or a guy that you missed the beauty of Tracy's masterpiece and her beautiful story. I hope you listen to it again without the "ha ha" mindset. 🎧🎤✌
No, you're right. Absolutely.
Totally agree.
Despite being a big fan of them, they do this kind of often. Don't feel bad for mentioning it, it's the only way for them to possibly realize.
I've never thought Tracy had a masculine voice... I don't understand how that was a concern for them!
@@sdhartley74 I've seen one reactor call her a man through the entire reaction and then they had a comment pinned about it. Not naming names
If you want to watch one woman with one guitar captivate tens of thousands of people watch her perform this at Wembley stadium...
@Lauren Lewis I’m jealous!!! That must’ve been UNBELIEVABLE!!!
@@markwilken2492 Me too.
You're being unfair picking on her. Her voice is different but clearly a talented folk singer. If you want weird voices try Buffy St. Marie, Bob Dylan, Axel Rose, Lee Marvin etc. all distinct all worth listening to.
I saw her at old JFK stadium in Philly probably 80,000 there. We were all captivated.
@Lauren Lewis I'm jealous......big time. I love TC!
She won 3 Grammy awards for this..the song, the album and as female performer!
And that was totally earned.
she deserved it
Come on guys, shape up. Now was NOT the time to switch roles. Brad, you should be in your element here, this is all about the words, the pathos, the story…… Get over the fact that this is sung by a woman with a superb deep voice, and listen to the tale she tells. This is profound class.
Agreed. They totally muddled their experience trying to listen for something else. This song is too great for that mess.
Yeah, I was almost offended by how little they actually paid attention to the lyrics and the composition of the song.
Masterpiece. Shame it wasn't given a little more respect
@@SaturnusDK They are trailer trash what do you expect
@@woahblackbettybamalam Move on with that shit. It's not TH-cam that sucks. Trail this.
She has emotion in her voice. It’s a song about trying to change her circumstances, if not now maybe it will be never.
It’s a powerful song in my opinion.
You should pay attention to her lyrics both of this but also all of her songs. They are beautiful and full of meanings. Fast car always gave me the feeling of dreaming of getting out of poor and bad life situation, young dreams, maybe not too realistic but that keep you going and not thinking at your misery. Sad enough it didn't come true like it doesn't come true for most of people. Everybody highlight the "American dream" but I love the fact of writing a song of the impossible dream.
Yeah, I was almost offended by how little they actually paid attention to the lyrics and the composition of the song.
Normally I'm not one to pay attention to lyrics whatsoever, especially for songs from my era in the 60's,70 and 80's, but there are a few songs exactly like this that cry out and please listen to what I have to say. This is one of those songs.
On the other side of the coin, I have rarely learned the words to any songs. In fact most of my group back in the day made up some of the words when we did want to sing along. We mostly knew the catchy parts. Today it's the opposite it seems. Lex is the exception that one reason she reminds me of people I grew up with. I assume she gets it from her mom. Not to be offended. It's not about disrespecting or not paying attention intentionally. It's just a different way of hearing music some of us have. Brad usually dissects lyrics and tbh, that kinda drives me nuts. That's my side of the coin.
I've finally had it with this channel their lack of understanding of this song goes way beyond a joke and the mocking of her voice, well Tracy Chapman has more talent in her strumming hand than these two will ever have
@@mairyhuff7102 settle down
Agreed, musical ignorance is not a good look in a music review.
This song is really brilliantly constructed. The song is about a woman stuck in the cycle of poverty, unable to escape to a better life, and the instruments reflect that. In the verses, when she's talking about being stuck and unable to escape, the guitar just plays the exact same simple riff over and over and over again. The riff isn't going anywhere, it's just repeating the same pattern, just like her.
The only time the music changes, when it kicks up into the bigger, happier sound is when she's remembering what it was like to go driving in the guy's fast car, back when they were younger and she still had dreams of escaping her small, poor life and becoming someone. Back when she still felt free and like there was a brighter future ahead.
But then the song keeps dropping back into that simple, repetitive riff as we time jump forward and they're still stuck. And he's not helping. She's inadvertently ended up with someone just like her father: a drunk who doesn't work, a guy whom she has to take care of because he's not even trying.
Also, at the beginning of the song, when she still has hope, she tells the guy that they need to make a decision: "we can leave tonight or live and die this way." Basically saying we need to get out of this dead-end life and find something better or we'll die never having gone anywhere or done anything. By the end of the song, she's just telling the guy "YOU need to make a decision / leave tonight or live and die this way" because she's given up hope that she'll ever escape to something better. She's giving him the option to go but she's accepted her fate that she's never going anywhere.
And the song ends with that same repetitive riff because she's still stuck in that life, forever.
It really is a gorgeous, heartbreaking song that is genius in its construction, beginning to end. I'm sad that you both got so caught up in giggling at and trying to figure out the tone of her voice that you basically ignored the song and missed everything that makes it such a genius piece of art. I usually enjoy watching y'all but this time I'm honestly disappointed in the reaction.
ngl I kind of felt the same, but also I guess that's on me. I really like this song and the message, and I want anyone who hears it to appreciate it the same way, but that's not really realistic to expect everyone to be moved by and value the same things. Reaction channels have built up a sort of culture for their reactions that doesn't easily lend itself to introspection or being moved by a song, just moving through a list, liked it or didn't like it, next, next, next. IDK, hopefully they or other people hearing it for the first time give it some more spins and the story sinks in. I don't think I fully appreciated this song the first time I heard it, of course I was a teenager heh.
My favorite part is the shifting meaning of the phrase "I had a feeling I could be someone", in each verse it takes on a different color of emotion, just like the phrase "you got a fast car". Much more emphasized in a live performance.
The chorus also comes more frequently as she fantasies more about the good times later on. Never looked at it that, thanks.
I agree. Great description. This song always pulls at my heart, to this very day. Tracy Chapman is amazing. Incredible voice and lyricist and the pain in her voice in this song is profound. Definitely disappointed in this reaction because I love her so much. The entire album with this song is amazing.
maybe the song hit too close to home for them to admit it
I was staying in a homeless veterans living facility, they had a dinner for us and Tracy Chapmans mother sang for us… beautiful voice and a beautiful person I wish gods love upon her
@THE ACOUSTIC CAGE do you think god is offended? Or just u?
@THE ACOUSTIC CAGE see I have more confidence in god, I give gif more credit than u do! I don’t think god would be so PETTY as to be offended by such trivial things ….. but now god knows what u think
I think we're all agreed that Brad & Lex let us down on this one. 😁🤦♂️
They missed it entirely, just worried about her voice and trivial matters, if she sounds like dolores o riordan, or whether its a guy or girl singing
How much of a song can you take in on one listen? Singles used to come out, the Lp came out, and you played them over and over. Then maybe there's another single, another album, perhaps not. The singer is a girl, she tells her story, her job changes, he gets a job finally, kids come along and life goes on. Our narrator is dissatisfied. Her man is an alcoholic like the father she sacrificed her education for, she herself feels like she's drunk, there's a lot packed into the lyric. I don't think Tracy Chapmen ever made a better album than the one this song is on. The story in Tracy Chapman's "For My Lover" is more pleasant for me to contemplate. There are many car songs in the annals of Rock and Roll. "Road Runner" by Jonathan Richman, "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen, "Deadman's Curve" by Jan and Dean or whoever.
I guess you two need to move to your own planet and have the fake a-- life you deserve... won't be listening to anything else you put out there...
I absolutely adore you two but this reaction hurt my heart a little. This song made people face homelessness and poverty when it was so easily ignored.
[Everyone]: "Such a powerful critique on the cycle of generational poverty, trapping people to relive the lives of their parents in abusive relationships"
[Brad & Lex]: "It was a vibe with a yodelling voice."
Ha, so true.
This is one of the most hopeful, sad, and overall soulful songs I ever heard. I was a fan when it came out. It still brings a tear to me eye lol. Look at where she's at in this, her feelings, her aspirations. Real blues.
one of the best songs ever recorded, Anyone with a dream of living better can relate.
One of the most beautiful song ever written.
I agree James. I'm kinda bummed that Lex & Brad didn't really get the poignant meaning about the cycle of poverty. It's sad that even with dreams of a better life sometimes people seem destined to stay on an endless treadmill.
I agree.
👌👌👌👌👌
This masterpiece went over their heads.
Totally
Fr lol
They weren't crying by half way through so yep they weren't listening
@@clivejones1152 or maybe they grew up in the suburbs, and didn't have the same experiences
@@rollotomassi4768 I didn't grow up as the story went. Still got it
The comment below (by Cate) is correct to say that the song is about how hard it is to escape the cycle of poverty. Equally, it's about a lady finding herself in a repeating cycle of negative relationships. The lady in the lyrics was trapped, looking after her alcoholic father and left that situation only to find herself as the sole breadwinner for her family with an alcoholic husband. A tragic story of dreams being crushed by reality.
You said it Marc .Dissapointed that Brad and Lex didn't interpret the feeling of this beautifuly sad song. Love Tracy Chapman
Don't assume it's a husband.
@@kierstenridgway4634 😂 shut up
@@kierstenridgway4634 You're not wrong actually, and I never considered that. Tracy might be singing about her girlfriend.
@@kierstenridgway4634 exactly
One of the greatest songs ever written right there.
One of the best songs ever. Heartbreaking and hopeful. Still not tired of it after all these years!
👌
I can always listen to it and feel it like I did the first time I heard it.
Please listen to this masterpiece again so you can focus on the story Tracy is telling you and hear the music.
When the tempo goes up it reflects the speed of the "fast car" and captures that feeling, that expectation, that hope that you can become something larger than your circumstances, that maybe your dreams will come true despite your limitations, responsibilities and problems.
It's beautiful and heartbreaking and she is an awesome singer and artist.
They're idiots, they won't get it
Wow I never noticed that when she is singing about the fast car, the tempo of the chorus also increases. Great observation.
This one of the 80s songs I play and sing because so many people can relate to it.
This is way too good a song to have this poor a review. One of the best written and most emotional songs from the 80’s and you guys missed it. Felt like guys were just looking at this review as “on to the next one..”
I remember buying this cd back in the 80's cause of the song 'Baby can I hold you tonight' and i got to admit that when i heard fast car for the first time which, was near the start of the cd....I wasn't blown away by it. I really wanted to hear the song i bought the cd for. But, after listening to the album a few more times, this song just absolutely grows on you and it's my favourite and the only one i really listen to after all these years. An absolute masterpiece
80s? How about the last 40 years. Just sayin
Simple story but it went right over their heads. For a couple living in a trailer part you'd think they'd understand the story rather than prattle on about who Tracy sounds like or whether she' s a man or woman. The story tells us how easy it is leave one loser with a similar loser who happens to have the means of escape. Then the new boss becomes the same as the old boss.
Tracy Chapman was a homeless street performer in Boston back in the day, she would work the subways, street corners and the like, she was discovered near the Boston Garden by a music producer who threw a 100 dollar bill in her case and his business card.
And the rest as they say is history.
I remember when Tracy Chapman hit. The Queen of Folk was Joni Mitchell and the New(ish) Kid was Suzanne Vega. Chapman hit the scene and claimed her space on the folkie stage with her powerful lyrics and her distinctive voice and musical style. She introduced a rawness that had been missing, no disrespect to Joni or to Ms. Vega. I’m not sure Folk is the most accurate label-let’s call her a brilliant singer-songwriter and leave it at that.
@@MarcosElMalo2 As an absolutely massive Joni fan and a medium-sized Suzanne Vega fan, there will always be a place for all three of them.
Wow...one of the most profound songs to hit the radio waves...and Brad misses it!!!! We can usually depend upon Brad to get the meaning of the lyrics. Bummer!
The "fast car" is a metaphor for dreams & hopes. The story starts when she is a teenager. She quits school to take care of her worthless dad. Then, she turns to her boyfriend & asks him to take her away. But, her boyfriend is as worthless as her dad. She takes care of him. She takes care of the kids. Poverty follows her. Her dreams are empty.
In my experience, Brad gets it about half the time, Lex about 5%
@@sikksotoo Lex was a bit charming right away, but it got old fast. She's always trying to compare something to another and it drives me nuts. It's not funny or cute anymore.
BRAD missed it? Lex didnt get ANY of it.
Deng, you're real for leaving this one up.
The one song where the lyrics are so important and Brad is vibing 😆
I was in Middle School when this came out. My mom was just divorcing my dad because of his drug problem, inability to hold a job, and abuse to us all because he couldn’t deal with his own failures. So this song resonated very hard with her (and me), and it still hits me hard to this day. You should hear her song “Gimme One Reason”, it’s a blues banger, completely different vibe from this one.
Zac, I know your struggle. If you want another relatable one about going through that, try Jason Isbell's Dreamsicle. Another one that'll hit you in the feels.
@@MelonMcGee thanks, I’ll check it out.
Great song!! She was discovered in NY. She was playing for money by the subway. She was homeless.
Would be an interesting series to do, singers discovered that way. Jewel had a similar story.
"Leave tonight or live and die this way" gets me every time.
"Baby Can I Hold You" is my favorite Tracy Chapman song. This is my second favorite.
I can't believe there missing the song. Really disappointing considering how beautiful the music and lyrics are.
Despite being great on the couch, they're really bad at breaking down music.
Where?
But it's still fun
One of the most painful songs ever written. Heartbreaking 💔
Edit.
A beautiful human who could be far more being dragged down by others. But loyalty is more important than personal achievements. Heartbreaking 💔
👌
That was my first concert ever, 1988 she has played as support for Bruce Springsteen in Bremen (Germany)
Was just great
This was massive back in the day. It was the 80s and Chapman gave voice to the unlucky underdog.
Tracy Chapman is amazing and this song is so powerful we all have different taste but she is very talented.
Brad & Lex, not only does Tracy Chapman have a fantastic Alto voice, she is also the queen of lower register vibrato - that's the 'wavering-Delores' you're interpreting. This song tells the story of two young people - one in particular, wishing to run away from the harsh life & alcoholic dependent Father - & escape to the city (where they consider that the streets are paved with gold & ambition) - but as is often the case, their destitution re-establishes itself at this new location. A cyclical, inescapable, life-long struggle.
She told a powerful and kind of sad story. It gets to me everytime. Tracy hit a home run with this one. Surprised it didn’t hit you guys too.
One of the most beautiful songs ever written, full of hope in parts, sadness, regret, and yet still hope at the end too. Very melancholic. Beautiful voice too.
Complete and utter failure by both of you for missing the sadness and meaning in this song. It's an absolutely beautiful and sad song, but that was totally lost on you. You can't see the forest for all the trees in the way.
So what. Perception is in the eye of the beholder. They cover MANY SONGS a month and it's difficult to pinpoint what the true meaning is on their first take.
@The Vinyl Music Life I agree. TH-cam how a quota though on videos made per week. It's their living. I can't take anything away from em.
@@thediaz07 For Brad to claim he tries to understand the meaning behind the lyrics of most songs he reacts to, yes, it was a failure.
@@chasingbirds3073 well I guess he should start putting a disclaimer up saying "open for my own interpretation".
Listen to the words. Its about the words. About trying to escape poverty with your high school love, filled with ambition you run to the city, but fail to make it. You then look back at that ambition with sorrow at the failure of opportunity.
I’m a metal head, but when my wife turned me on to Tracy knowing I listen for talent and I was completely blown away, incredible amount of talent.
My bestest friend and I grew up in dysfunctional homes on the poor side of town. Can't believe it almost 20 years ago she told me that this song reminded her of us. That we were gonna make it out. We were in college at the time & on our way to rising. We both graduated but only one of us gained momentum and eventually left the hometown. Now in our 40s, this song makes me sad as I hope and pray she can also get out of there.
One of the most beautiful songs ever written, in my opinion. So much passion and HEART ❤️
This song DESERVES a REDO! Brad listen to the lyrics, that's your forte! Lex don't distract him!
They should just stop doing these altogether after this. Forget a redo lol
I just like the fact they cover so many songs I like. Lex is funny and cute. As far as reactions I think they are the worst reactors I've ever heard. Brad never knows what the song is truly about even though he's usually reading the lyrics and lex just liked the beats 90% of the time. Nothing Else.
It's hard to imagine a world were there are people hearing this song or Tracy Chapman for the first time.
Her first album was every, where all the time when it came out. It's seared into my brain. Groundbreaking and soul stirring.
Thanks for doing this.
Its SOUL! She is so amazing. I could listen to her everyday, and it would never get old. She can sing something so personal, yet have everyone living it with her.
This song has brought me tears since I was 12. It was like she was singing about my life and what I wanted to do when I grew up. Just run away.
The desperation to escape her life is so well delivered in those lyrics. Sorry you guys missed it.
I love these guys, but that was a pretty ho-hum reaction to a perfectly written song with immense meaning and emotion
She came out like a tsunami!!! She blew everyone away with her first album, her voice, her sound, her lyrics!!! She's one of a kind, unique!!!
Whatever happened to her.
One of my favorite songs of all time. Reminds me of my childhood. Mom picking me up from school listening to this on the way home. As I got older the song took on a whole new meaning to me. Funny how you don’t realize things when you are young and innocent.
This song always gets me in the feels when I think of those memories. Makes me appreciate my mom even more being a single mom, getting a second job when I was born, working 7 days a week because my lame ass “dad” left when I was a baby. Thanks for making it all seem so easy mom
Lex is talking about vibrato and mixing it up with what vocal style Irish singers do.
If you want the queens of vibrato, you have to listen to some Pretenders. Chrissy Hynes masters it.
Chrissy Hynde, and yea she’s 🔥
Don't forget Beth Hart.
@@marlew6629 who?
Nah, Lex is talking about how Dolores flips the ends of her words with a falsetto lilt.
One of the most emotional songs in my lifetime. Tracy came out of nowhere in '87 or '88 with this and the world fell in love with her, and this song.
Amazing artist, this is an amazing song about fear, hope, and poverty. A lot of people refuse to hear the message of this song.
YES! Anything by her but please Give me one reason by her as well. chefs kiss
Brad ain't lettin' just any voice be in the same universe with Delores. Lol! Tracy Chapman's voice is so unique though!
They both are unique and don't sound like each other. Both Tracy and Delores are very special to a lot of people.
The voice wow ! Every time I hear her wow !
One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Emotional and tragic yet inspiring. Love Tracy Chapman.
I will never forget when that iconic voice broke onto the scene in 1988 and shook the world! I do not know the words to convey how good she is, so I will just post up some statistics. Her debut album, Tracy Chapman, has been certified platinum 6X, earned her 6 Grammy nominations including Album of the year (She won 3 of those nominations), Best New Artist, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Fast Car and Best Contemporary Folk Album. Most of all, her voice still transports me away from reality and when you find a voice that can do that you hang on to it. I always love your reactions guys, but you missed this one. It's OK, still like you guys enough to keep following.
Wow! This is solid gold hits. I’m surprised you couldn’t hear that. Tracy Chapman is one of the best singers ever and a classic. You have to listen to the lyrics. She is a great story teller. Thought for sure you both would pick up on that.
An absolutely beautiful song about trying to change your circumstances in life. I know people in the comments are all mad you aren't taking it the way "you're supposed to", but I, for one, am just glad that people are listening to this song for a first time in 2022, and maybe it will stick with you like it did with us when we were little and heard it on the radio.
Please try more of Tracy, she has a unique voice...and is such a talented songwriter and singer. So many GREAT songs of hers did not get the recognition they deserved, just as she in my opinion does not get the attention and praise that she deserves. A few of her songs you should listen to are "Give me a reason" / " Talkin' bout a revolution" / "Cold Feet" / "At this point in my life" / "Smoke and Ashes"....just please try a few of those and you will be pleased I am sure !! Love your reactions and just your honest approach to each artist and song you are discovering.
Behind The Wall
Tracy Chapman is a truly gifted singer songwriter and greatly unappreciated.
Ya sometimes you guys just don't seem to get it, I mean the lyrics were right there, how could you not know what it's about ? This is such a sad song, some of the comments have explained it well enough, about being trapped in the cycle of poverty & alcoholism, and of having hope that things can get better.
cuz theyre not good listeners
It was her rediscovering herself after defining herself by who she was with for so long.
There's a really cool story behind this song. I forget the details but I believe it was a concert at Wimberley in 1988 where she was one of the performers in a decent lineup that included Stevie Wonder. Apparently somebody lost Stevie's prerecorded background music or something like that and he got really upset and left. The organizers went around frantically looking for someone to fill the slot and when Tracy heard this she agreed to go back on stage. This was before she had made her name big in the music industry having only released I believe one album so far. She had been working on this song for a while but hadn't played it for anyone yet but she decided to give it a shot and as she began playing and singing the crowd got quiet and at the end everybody cheered. There's a video of it, it's pretty cool.
th-cam.com/video/teZsA_ci-7E/w-d-xo.html
I suggest the next song of hers that you react to should be "At This Point In My Life"
th-cam.com/video/eRBzThST8hE/w-d-xo.html
Wow - loved this song for years but I’d never seen that Wembley video before.
Never saw this before very cool
@@jamesdavisjr6937 I gotta give credit for even knowing this story to The Professor of Rock, he covered this story on his channel. I highly recommend anyone who loves music to check his channel out, he's very knowledgeable about all generas of music from between the 1950's to the early 2000's. Here's a link to his channel:
th-cam.com/users/ProfessorofRock
The song had already been released as a single about 2 months before when she appeared at Wembley (Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute Concert on 11 June 1988) but hadn't done too well. It had just charted the week before the concert at number 88 in the UK, but this concert pushed it up the charts, to eventually peak at number 5 in the UK (and number 6 in US).
I remember the concert, I was 20 at the time, and I think that was probably the first time I heard the song (although I probably heard it almost every day for the next few months!), but didn't know about the Stevie Wonder thing. Apparently some of his equipment 'went missing' and he returned later and played using Whitney Houston's instruments.
@@davidjames3080 You're right, I was a little off about the release. I decided to actually look it up to be sure and from what I can find Stevie Wonder had lost a prerecorded disk of synthesized music for his set and he left the stadium crying with some of his entourage. It didn't say whether or not he returned but it'd be kinda messed up if he didn't.
This is probably one of the best songs ever recorded. It’s devastating, heartbreaking, and uplifting all at the same time. You spent the entire time listening for her singing tone instead of the story she’s telling. The song is an entire ocean and all you did was stick your toes in
I love this. I think she kills it and it's just such a smooth sound. The whole thing.
I love Tracy Chapman’s voice! It is so rich and her song writing is Poignant and beautiful! You guys never know what the song is about and you have the words! How is that possible? 😂This song is so straight forward…she wanted a better life than she was raised with but it didn’t turn out as she hoped for! It’s alternative rock and she is amazing! If you had checked out the video you would have seen she’s a woman! She had another great hit that was a bit of a groove called Give Me One Reason!❤️❤️
The song is hauntingly beautiful. Some songs are so poignant and sad that they can bring you to tears.
Love Tracy, her voice is amazing, but I love to watch her sing she is captivating, beautiful black woman.
The song was deep when it came out and still holds its own to this day
This is one of the most beautiful but so very sad songs ever.
This is a powerful song, real life shit. Tracy's spitting real world facts here. Its so good.
This is a wonderful song. Tracy always make me tear up a little.
One of the best story tellers of my Twenties.
This is one of those songs that you can just keep replaying and get lost in it each time.
Amazing singer, amazing song. I think many of us in our youth when going through tough times wished we could just hop in the car and get away from tough things we were facing
Many of us did.
Tracy Chapman...sublime. I love her songs, her voice and her humble stage presence.
I was just starting out as a young adult when this song came out. It always hit me as a beautiful coming of age song. You want so much more than what you saw growing up but then somehow you settle for the same and repeat the trauma to the next generation
I still remember Tracy at Live Aid. She walked out to half a million people guitar in hand and looking like a deer in headlights but just did her thing and blew us away.. I think you were a little overly analitic and slightly rude to be honest guys. Her voice is haunting and beautiful Go check out the whole album Tracy Chapman Shes a seriously underrated artist
Such a tragically beautiful song
This was Tracy Chapman’s answer to Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run. An absolutely classic.
It's all in the lyrics. A simple song, beautiful yet heartbreaking. All she wanted was for a better life, he had other ideas. All she sees now is a repeat of what her parents went through. Tracy Chapman is profoundly talented 🖤
One of the greatest songs ever made.
I saw her on the library steps in Cambridge MA in the early 80s and headlining the Lilith Fair years later. She and her band are awesome! Great singer/storyteller/guitarist.
Remember songs were designed to be heard over and over because of the way radio markets worked. By the third or fourth listen, these beautiful lyrics started to make sense. By the time one heard it a dozen times, you’d get. Devastating.
Great song. Really sad, but deeply beautiful.
I was in a similar situation and am perpetuating it myself and thats why I cant listen to this without crying, I am a product of a dysfuntional family due to alcohol drugs and now Im in the same boat.
I get what you are saying, Lex. Dolores and Tracy both have primal vocals.
Another one of the most beautiful songs ever created
You two are so focused on the sound of Ms. Chapman's voice that you missed the story. This song broke my heart the first time I heard it. The repetition of the melody mirrors the repetition of day after day existence in poverty. The fast car represents the hope of getting out-of getting ANYWHERE. It's tragically sad and brilliant. And it still puts tears in my eyes.
This is one of the greatest songs ever made.
sad story, but oh so true to so many lives. I absolutely love how in the beginning it was "We gotta make a decision", and it turned to "YOU gotta make a decision" at the end. A true classic song.
The classic story of America. The promise of hope that is seldom delivered.
She is one of my favorites. She is a true artist. Singer. Songwtiter and poet. She studied poetry. Love her unique voice. "Give Me One Reason" won a Grammy.
You to listen to it again. It is a story.
You need to see her live. She did a song with Pavarotti on Pavarotti and Friends.
This song's about the cycle of poverty, and how hard it is to break.
Her father is a drunk, and she puts her future on hold so she can take care of him. But then she meets this guy, and sees an opportunity to run off with him and have a real future. Fast forward, he ends up being a drunk like her father and she leaves like her mother did to again try and escape from her shitty situation.
It's a sad song, but she delivers it so beautifully that you really feel it.