"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, man
How come you treat your woman so bad?
That's not the way you do it
No, no, no, you shouldn't do it like that
I could show you how to do it right
I used to practice every night on my wife, now she's gone
Yeah, she's gone
You see, her mother and me
We never got along that well, you see
I'd love to help you
But everybody's telling me you look like me
But please don't turn out like me, you look like me
But you're not like me I know
I had one, two, three,
Four shots of happiness, I look like a big man
But I've only got a little soul
I only got a little soul
Yeah, I wish I could be an example
Wish I could say I stood up for you
And fought for what was right
But I never did
I just wore my trenchcoat and stayed out every single night
You think I'm joking?
Try me
Try me
Yeah come on, try me tonight
I did what was wrong though I knew what was right
I've got no wisdom that I want to pass on
Just don't hang round here, no, I'm telling you son
You don't want to know me
Oh, that's just what everybody's telling me
And everybody's telling me you look like me
But please don't turn into me
You look like me
But you're not like me I hope
I have run away form the one thing that I ever made, now
Only wish that I could show you
Wish I could show a little soul
Wish I could show a little soul
How come you treat your woman so bad?
That's not the way you do it
No, no, no, you shouldn't do it like that
I could show you how to do it right
I used to practice every night on my wife, now she's gone
Yeah, she's gone
You see, her mother and me
We never got along that well, you see
I'd love to help you
But everybody's telling me you look like me
But please don't turn out like me, you look like me
But you're not like me I know
I had one, two, three,
Four shots of happiness, I look like a big man
But I've only got a little soul
I only got a little soul
Yeah, I wish I could be an example
Wish I could say I stood up for you
And fought for what was right
But I never did
I just wore my trenchcoat and stayed out every single night
You think I'm joking?
Try me
Try me
Yeah come on, try me tonight
I did what was wrong though I knew what was right
I've got no wisdom that I want to pass on
Just don't hang round here, no, I'm telling you son
You don't want to know me
Oh, that's just what everybody's telling me
And everybody's telling me you look like me
But please don't turn into me
You look like me
But you're not like me I hope
I have run away form the one thing that I ever made, now
Only wish that I could show you
Wish I could show a little soul
Wish I could show a little soul
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
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.
I'd also add that this is about his regret specifically about having left the child behind or whatever. "I have run away from the one thing that I ever made..." He thinks he's too seedy or whatever to be of value as a father, yet also realizes he might be in a unique position to help the child avoid his own fate.