"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.
Black boys employ Selassie
We kiss to define
White hands, white hearts
The gender
How can I make you mine
Take me to god
In a world of blank kisses
Who breaks the colors
I know what this is
A one man show
That's how we know
That's how we know
Your white does it show
Your white dance like an enemy
Your white dance like an enemy
Your white dance like an enemy, you
White boys fall out
In a whirl of decisions
Show me what is
Then show me what isn't
A heart too slow
That's how we know
That's how we know
Your white does the blood flow
Your white dance like an enemy
Your white dance like an enemy
Your white dance like an enemy
You're so white
White boy
White boy
White boy
White boy
White boy (ooh)
White boy
White boy
White boy dance
Do something sweet
Like pull my heart
Like use your feet
Like steal some culture
Let's fake this dance
A white boy kiss
A white boy chance
Don't take me over
Don't lose my heart
When I change color I'm here stop start
You're white
You're white
You're white
You're white
You're white
You're white
You're white
You're white
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
We kiss to define
White hands, white hearts
The gender
How can I make you mine
Take me to god
In a world of blank kisses
Who breaks the colors
I know what this is
A one man show
That's how we know
That's how we know
Your white does it show
Your white dance like an enemy
Your white dance like an enemy
Your white dance like an enemy, you
White boys fall out
In a whirl of decisions
Show me what is
Then show me what isn't
A heart too slow
That's how we know
That's how we know
Your white does the blood flow
Your white dance like an enemy
Your white dance like an enemy
Your white dance like an enemy
You're so white
White boy
White boy
White boy
White boy
White boy (ooh)
White boy
White boy
White boy dance
Do something sweet
Like pull my heart
Like use your feet
Like steal some culture
Let's fake this dance
A white boy kiss
A white boy chance
Don't take me over
Don't lose my heart
When I change color I'm here stop start
You're white
You're white
You're white
You're white
You're white
You're white
You're white
You're white
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
You're white, dance like an enemy
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.