"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.
Lost in confusion
Not knowing which way to return
To the person you know
This trepidation makes you
Take it out on someone else
You forever
Everybody wins
I don't think so
What would the worst thing be if you
Took the wheel and you lost control
No one is safe inside your safety zone
Don't understand but I hear what you're saying
The repetition of a lonely life
Somebody tell me why the
Heart is waging war against the
Friends of the enemy of your mind
Not your opinion
Sounds like you learn it from a show
It appears you have lost
So sick of marching in your lonliness parade
Stay together underneath a giant tidal wave
What would the worst thing be if you
Took the wheel and you lost control
No one is safe inside your safety zone
Don't understand but I hear what you're saying
The repetition of a lonely life
Somebody tell me why the
Heart is waging war against the
Friends of the enemy of your mind
Your imitated
Ordinary life
Its when that you can't break free can you
Take a chance as you let it go
Happy without the words you'll never know
No way to lose when your mimicking you're paying
A no decision forbidden home
No one is safe inside your safety zone
Don't understand but I hear what you're saying
The repetition of a lonely life
No one is safe inside your safety zone
Don't understand but I hear what you're saying
The repetition of a lonely soul
No one is safe inside your zone
Not knowing which way to return
To the person you know
This trepidation makes you
Take it out on someone else
You forever
Everybody wins
I don't think so
What would the worst thing be if you
Took the wheel and you lost control
No one is safe inside your safety zone
Don't understand but I hear what you're saying
The repetition of a lonely life
Somebody tell me why the
Heart is waging war against the
Friends of the enemy of your mind
Not your opinion
Sounds like you learn it from a show
It appears you have lost
So sick of marching in your lonliness parade
Stay together underneath a giant tidal wave
What would the worst thing be if you
Took the wheel and you lost control
No one is safe inside your safety zone
Don't understand but I hear what you're saying
The repetition of a lonely life
Somebody tell me why the
Heart is waging war against the
Friends of the enemy of your mind
Your imitated
Ordinary life
Its when that you can't break free can you
Take a chance as you let it go
Happy without the words you'll never know
No way to lose when your mimicking you're paying
A no decision forbidden home
No one is safe inside your safety zone
Don't understand but I hear what you're saying
The repetition of a lonely life
No one is safe inside your safety zone
Don't understand but I hear what you're saying
The repetition of a lonely soul
No one is safe inside your zone
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
Midnight
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Midnight” is a song about finding a love that is so true that it provides a calming feeling through every storm. Ed Sheeran reflects on his good fortunes in landing someone with such peace and support and speaks of not fearing the dark days because he knows they’ll all end in the safety nets of her arms.
“Well, good morning there / What a way to start the day / With everything laid bare,” Ed Sheeran sings in the first verse, enthusiastic to be waking up beside his woman. He apologizes for missing her calls in the second verse and promises to return them because for him, speaking to her is the most important thing. “Well, I get lost inside my head / In this chaos, you’re my calm / And I will find my feet again / ‘Cause еven the worst days of my life will always еnd / At midnight in your arms,” sings Ed Sheeran in the chorus, revelling in his good luck.
This song rocks. I really like the Vocal melodies. I think it's about having the guts to stand for your real opinions in life...to be honest to yourself and to others. Sure, you're less likely to lose when you follow the grain but is that really what you want? "no one is safe inside your safety zone"
I think this song is about the fear of entering into a relationship with someone.
"what would the worst thing be if you took the wheel and you lost control no one is safe inside your safety zone"
What would the worst thing be if you took the initiative to tell someone your feelings about them? You can't stay inside your "safety zone." You have to "take the wheel" and open up.
"happy without the words you'll never know"
You'd rather risk not being hurt than hear someone's words of comfort. Just my thoughts. [.:shrugs:.]
"So sick of marching in your lonliness parade"-great line:) NUFAN gets better with age! Hard Rock Bottom is may favorite punk release of the year and this song is my fav on the cd along with International You Day.
My favourite album is probably Making Friends or Leche Con Carne but Hard Rock Bottom is still good even thought it's got a slightly more different sound to it.
I love this song! I could literally listen to this song NONSTOP!
"don't understand but i hear what you're saying"
i love this line-I get goosebumps :]
great song, good beat to it. i love all of NUFAN's songs. this is a good example of some new good stuff.
best song off the new CD. love the beat. No Use has found their niche in melodic punk rock.
This song is SO good.
Their new album is more mellow than the old stuff.. but that's not a bad thing.
\m/ rawk on! \m/