"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.
Mary cries out, "for the love of God"
As she's walking out of the laundromat
Down the street and it's the short way home
Feeling special cause she's so alone
But we know
(The world's full of lonely people)
And it shows
(The world's full of lonely people)
She shrugs her coat off and unlocks the door
Eats her dinner on the kitchen floor
Writes a poem and turns the radio on
Every singer sings the same old song
And it goes:
(The world's full of lonely people)
And it shows
(The world's full of lonely people)
But when we she wanted me to go
She just had to let it show
To bring me down if she wanted me to leave
She just wore it on her sleeve
But at least, I was around
But when we she wanted me to go
She just had to let it show
To bring me down if she wanted me to leave
She just wore it on her sleeve
At least, I was around
Mary Ellen makes the moment count
As she's looking through old photographs
Pictures taken from an early age
Faces look back at her from the page
And they say
(The world's full of lonely people)
It's OK
(The world's full of lonely people)
It's OK
(The world's full of lonely people)
But when we she wanted me to go
She just had to let it show
To bring me down if she wanted me to leave
She just wore it on her sleeve
But at least, I was around
I was around
I was around
I was around
Mary Ellen makes the moment count
As she's walking out of the laundromat
Down the street and it's the short way home
Feeling special cause she's so alone
But we know
(The world's full of lonely people)
And it shows
(The world's full of lonely people)
She shrugs her coat off and unlocks the door
Eats her dinner on the kitchen floor
Writes a poem and turns the radio on
Every singer sings the same old song
And it goes:
(The world's full of lonely people)
And it shows
(The world's full of lonely people)
But when we she wanted me to go
She just had to let it show
To bring me down if she wanted me to leave
She just wore it on her sleeve
But at least, I was around
But when we she wanted me to go
She just had to let it show
To bring me down if she wanted me to leave
She just wore it on her sleeve
At least, I was around
Mary Ellen makes the moment count
As she's looking through old photographs
Pictures taken from an early age
Faces look back at her from the page
And they say
(The world's full of lonely people)
It's OK
(The world's full of lonely people)
It's OK
(The world's full of lonely people)
But when we she wanted me to go
She just had to let it show
To bring me down if she wanted me to leave
She just wore it on her sleeve
But at least, I was around
I was around
I was around
I was around
Mary Ellen makes the moment count
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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/
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
why not to consider this really beautiful and sad song? do anyone know who can be Mary Ellen? I fantasize very much about it. maybe it is just about the lonelyness and people who can't get off their situation or off the sensation to be abandoned. but I ask you: why ?she makes the MOMENT COUNT?
This is indeed a powerful song. A very obscure song by A-ha but beloved by its fans. Truly a thought provoking song that deals with sadness and depression