Friday, September 1, 2023

Small difference, big difference

 A song that is currently getting consistent airplay in country music circle is Luke Combs cover of the Tracey Chapman song 'Fast Car'.  While the cover remains true to the original in many ways, there is one small change to the lyrics.  

Luke Combs version of the refrains goe like this:

You got a fast carIs it fast enough so we can fly away?Still gotta make a decisionLeave tonight, or live and die this way

In Tracy Chapman's original version, the first two refrains goes like this:

You got a fast car
Is it fast enough so we can fly away?
We gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way

The third refrain goes like this:

You got a fast car
Is it fast enough so you can fly away?

You gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way

See the difference?  

Luke Combs version suggests that the it is 'we' that have to make the decision to stay or leave.  Tracey Chapman's version starts with 'we', but ends with 'you'.  The suggestion is that the singer has decided they are stuck, cannot leave, and are giving their other the option to leave them behind and head to a better life because the can.  

There is harsh reality there that people experience every day.  'I love you so much I am telling you to leave without me'.  Puts a lump in my throat just thinking about being in that situation.

Small difference, big difference.

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