"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.
But for the grace of God
She'd cry herself to sleep
Because the grace of God
Is something she can keep
Oh, it won't be long
Until their hold is broken
Oh, it won't be long
Until we've found our home
It's for the good of you
I sing sweet melody
They'll cast the first stone
When the last one's out of reach
Oh, it won't be long
Until their hold is broken
Oh, it won't be long
Until we've found our home
Forget where to begin
Brother I have not sinned
I have not
But for the grace of God
She'd cry herself to sleep
But now the grace of God
Is the reason that she weeps
Oh, it won't be long
Until their hold is broken
Oh, it won't be long
Until we've found our home
When summer comes, light my life
Snow will melt away
When summer comes, light my life
Snow will melt away
I was born again, I was born again
Not into the world they put me in
She was born again, she was born again
Not into the world they put her in
I was born again, I was born again
Not into the world they put me in
She was born again, she was born again
Not into the world they put her in.
She'd cry herself to sleep
Because the grace of God
Is something she can keep
Oh, it won't be long
Until their hold is broken
Oh, it won't be long
Until we've found our home
It's for the good of you
I sing sweet melody
They'll cast the first stone
When the last one's out of reach
Oh, it won't be long
Until their hold is broken
Oh, it won't be long
Until we've found our home
Forget where to begin
Brother I have not sinned
I have not
But for the grace of God
She'd cry herself to sleep
But now the grace of God
Is the reason that she weeps
Oh, it won't be long
Until their hold is broken
Oh, it won't be long
Until we've found our home
When summer comes, light my life
Snow will melt away
When summer comes, light my life
Snow will melt away
I was born again, I was born again
Not into the world they put me in
She was born again, she was born again
Not into the world they put her in
I was born again, I was born again
Not into the world they put me in
She was born again, she was born again
Not into the world they put her in.
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
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
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.
But they forgot one of the best parts of the song. Right at the end, after "she was born again, she was born again/ not into the world they put her in."
"Lord, I know, my heart beats slow From time, to time when I was blind.
The hope and the spirit I'd rather not feel it The hope and the spirit I'd rather not fear it"