"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.
Hey, see there's a girl who's afraid of the world so she stays at home
Also a boy who seems so lost in his joy she's all alone
The camera's on them, they're in the land of competition
Southern California air feeds them
And they know they're the best because of the way they are dressed
You can bet you are not welcome in their home
Hey, see there's a girl who sits and watches the world from their blue screen
Also a boy who truly wants to destroy his hometown scene
They both want to travel to the land of competition
Southern California will destroy them
And they won't be the best, they'll be the posers who dress
Like the plastic idiots who they copy
Tell me, what do you need to make you happy? Indeed, is it out of your reach?
Beware of number one, see all the damage it has done, there are so few of them
You won't find too many in the land of competition
Southern California doesn't breed them
If you just want the best, turn to yourself for the rest
And forget about the ones who "have it all"
Also a boy who seems so lost in his joy she's all alone
The camera's on them, they're in the land of competition
Southern California air feeds them
And they know they're the best because of the way they are dressed
You can bet you are not welcome in their home
Hey, see there's a girl who sits and watches the world from their blue screen
Also a boy who truly wants to destroy his hometown scene
They both want to travel to the land of competition
Southern California will destroy them
And they won't be the best, they'll be the posers who dress
Like the plastic idiots who they copy
Tell me, what do you need to make you happy? Indeed, is it out of your reach?
Beware of number one, see all the damage it has done, there are so few of them
You won't find too many in the land of competition
Southern California doesn't breed them
If you just want the best, turn to yourself for the rest
And forget about the ones who "have it all"
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
First of all dont be mislead; the best punk came from so. cal. (in my opinion)
This song is about the people who overpopulate southern Cal. The ones who spend money they dont have, the ones who dress in clothes they cannot afford, the ones who think they are some fucking celebrity who everyone is watching.. Competing with the rest of the ants on the hill. Sucked in to the life of 'look at me'.
I live in the heart of it all and am sickened at what's important to some people. And whats not.
This song is AMAZING