"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.
I know that when you look at me
There's so much that you just don't see
But if you would only take the time
I know in my heart you'd find
A girl who's scared sometimes
Who isn't always strong
Can't you see the hurt in me?
I feel so all alone
I wanna run to you (ooh)
I wanna run to you (ooh)
Won't you hold me in your arms
And keep me safe from harm?
I want to run to you (ooh)
But if I come to you (ooh)
Tell me, will you stay or will you run away?
Each day, each day I play the role
Of someone always in control
But at night I come home and turn the key
There's nobody there, no one cares for me
Oh oh, what's the sense of trying hard to find your dreams
Without someone to share it with?
Tell me what does it mean
I wanna run to you (ooh)
I wanna run to you (ooh)
Won't you hold me in your arms
And keep me safe from harm?
I want to run to you (ooh)
But if I come to you (ooh)
Tell me, will you stay or will you run away?
Run away
Oh, I need you here
I need you here to wipe away my tears
To kiss away my fears
No (if you only knew) if you only knew how much
I wanna run to you (ooh)
I wanna run to you (ooh)
Won't you hold me in your arms
And keep me safe from harm?
I, I run to you (ooh)
But if I come to you, you
Tell me, will you stay or will you run away?
There's so much that you just don't see
But if you would only take the time
I know in my heart you'd find
A girl who's scared sometimes
Who isn't always strong
Can't you see the hurt in me?
I feel so all alone
I wanna run to you (ooh)
I wanna run to you (ooh)
Won't you hold me in your arms
And keep me safe from harm?
I want to run to you (ooh)
But if I come to you (ooh)
Tell me, will you stay or will you run away?
Each day, each day I play the role
Of someone always in control
But at night I come home and turn the key
There's nobody there, no one cares for me
Oh oh, what's the sense of trying hard to find your dreams
Without someone to share it with?
Tell me what does it mean
I wanna run to you (ooh)
I wanna run to you (ooh)
Won't you hold me in your arms
And keep me safe from harm?
I want to run to you (ooh)
But if I come to you (ooh)
Tell me, will you stay or will you run away?
Run away
Oh, I need you here
I need you here to wipe away my tears
To kiss away my fears
No (if you only knew) if you only knew how much
I wanna run to you (ooh)
I wanna run to you (ooh)
Won't you hold me in your arms
And keep me safe from harm?
I, I run to you (ooh)
But if I come to you, you
Tell me, will you stay or will you run away?
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
I absolutely love this song! And as big as the soundtrack was, I think it's often overshadowed by other great tracks. This song is the classic "who can I talk to?" song. The singer is insecure and alone and lonely. And they're asking someone to stay with them and be with them and to not run away like everyone else has. Great song. Perfect song. This song makes me tear up all of the time. I always think it won't, but it does.