"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.
Coward, the next time you want to fuck me over stab me in the front
Can I still see my future in your eyes,
Or can I picture myself dead in your embrace
And your cruel crimson red smile, kills
Everyone cared about you. Why couldn't you
Instead your greed compelled you to steal other silver linings.
No one could have their moments free from your withering touch.
Fuck off like you're the only person that has ever cried or been broken by love
Spare me your pity party drunk off your own misfortunes
Wallowing in your blissful melancholy
Can you taste my blood. You knew that this would kill me. But you carried on and on
With your selfish shit, everyone cared about you. Why couldn't you
Instead your greed compelled you to steal other silver linings.
Burnt down my world, you killed my hope
Spread out the ash and walked away
How could you just close off your eyes.
Turn tail and run, you are the greatest coward
Damn right I am still pissed.
Next time I see you we will see who has the upper hand
Kiss me fist. Taste the floor. Tired of your games. fuck off goodbye
Can I still see my future in your eyes,
Or can I picture myself dead in your embrace
And your cruel crimson red smile, kills
Everyone cared about you. Why couldn't you
Instead your greed compelled you to steal other silver linings.
No one could have their moments free from your withering touch.
Fuck off like you're the only person that has ever cried or been broken by love
Spare me your pity party drunk off your own misfortunes
Wallowing in your blissful melancholy
Can you taste my blood. You knew that this would kill me. But you carried on and on
With your selfish shit, everyone cared about you. Why couldn't you
Instead your greed compelled you to steal other silver linings.
Burnt down my world, you killed my hope
Spread out the ash and walked away
How could you just close off your eyes.
Turn tail and run, you are the greatest coward
Damn right I am still pissed.
Next time I see you we will see who has the upper hand
Kiss me fist. Taste the floor. Tired of your games. fuck off goodbye
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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,
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental 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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
best song on the album.
I couldn't agree more w/ Royal77. The entire record, suicide notes and butterfly kisses, is just amazing though. I was very impressed.
yea...i bought it at a show recently...i believe it's the best song too...seems like the hardest with sick breakdown
I love the last part of the song from right before it says "damn right i'm still pissed" til the end, I go crazy for that part.
I like how the whole cd is pretty much about how girls are evil.
I agree Daniel , Atreyu has a lot of these "emotional breakdown / mosh" parts....I love it !
I also think that the last part of the song where he screams "Damn right I am still pissed..." is the best part of the songs, everytime i love the emotion there, these guys are sick and deserve a lot of recognition. Good lyrics, intense emotions, nice music, everything is just great. I havent ever seen them live though. The artwork on the front of the cd is kinda cool too, it looks like a metal butterfly or something.
this song is definitely the best. theyre great live.
such amazing lyrics. i cannot begin to explain how much they mean to me. i'm going to see them in a few weeks... can't wait.
agree, thaty are brilliant! looking forward for whats to come