"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.
I'm an ocean in your bedroom
Make you feel warm
Make you want to reassume
Now we know it all for sure
I'm a dancehall, dirty break beat
Make the snow fall up from underneath your feet
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
I'm a meth lab, first rehab
Take it all off and step inside the running cab
There's a love that knows the way
I'm the rainbow in your jail cell
All the memories of everything you've ever smelled
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
Oh (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
Come again, get me excited (more will be revealed, my friend)
I'm an inbred and a pothead
Two legs that you spread inside the tool shed
Now we know it all for sure
I could show you to the free field
Overcome and more will always be revealed
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
Oh, and (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
Come again, get me excited (more will be revealed, my friend)
Oh, and (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
There's a match, now let me light it (more will be revealed, my friend)
I'm the bloodstain on your shirt sleeve
Coming down and more, coming to believe
Now we know it all for sure
Make the hair stand up on your arm
Teach you how to dance inside the funny farm
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
I'll be there, tell me when you want to go
Come again, and tell me when you want to go
More will be revealed my friend
Make you feel warm
Make you want to reassume
Now we know it all for sure
I'm a dancehall, dirty break beat
Make the snow fall up from underneath your feet
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
I'm a meth lab, first rehab
Take it all off and step inside the running cab
There's a love that knows the way
I'm the rainbow in your jail cell
All the memories of everything you've ever smelled
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
Oh (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
Come again, get me excited (more will be revealed, my friend)
I'm an inbred and a pothead
Two legs that you spread inside the tool shed
Now we know it all for sure
I could show you to the free field
Overcome and more will always be revealed
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
Oh, and (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
Come again, get me excited (more will be revealed, my friend)
Oh, and (sideways falling, more will be revealed, my friend)
Don't forget me, I can't hide it (sideways falling)
There's a match, now let me light it (more will be revealed, my friend)
I'm the bloodstain on your shirt sleeve
Coming down and more, coming to believe
Now we know it all for sure
Make the hair stand up on your arm
Teach you how to dance inside the funny farm
Not alone, I'll be there
Tell me when you want to go
I'll be there, tell me when you want to go
Come again, and tell me when you want to go
More will be revealed my friend
Lyrics submitted by on_a_plain_11, edited by ProbeAway
Don't Forget Me Lyrics as written by John Frusciante Michael Balzary
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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/
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.
"don't forget me" competes as my favorite red hot song. it is an absolutely amazing, riveting song that literally touches something inside of me everytime i listen to it. i believe the overall message is so simple yet so touching: two lovers have ended their relationship and he simply does not want her to forget him. here are my interpretations of my favorite lines of the song:
"i'm an ocean in your bedroom, make you feel warm make you want to reassume, now we know all it all for sure" - he knows that he has affected this woman and that he is so large and encompassing in her life, hence the ocean in the bedroom. he knows he can make her feel good, and now that their relationship is over, they can finally realize and know all the aspects of their time together.
"i'm the rainbow in your jail cell, all the memories of everything you've ever smelled" - again, he is a glimpse of hope, light, and color in her small, trapped, sheltered world. his presence in her life reminds her of everything in her life, and he is so much a part of her that every moment in her life, even those that did not include him, are now somehow connected to him forever.
"sideways falling, more will be revealed my friend, don't forget me i can't hide it, come again get me excited" - he is so affected by the end of this relationship that he feels as if he is falling sideways and walking and living all off balance. he knows more about their relationship will come to light after it has ended now, but he so desperately does not want her to forget him. and truthfully, all he desires is for her to come back to him again and return to him so that he can feel the excitement and vigor of life.
"i'm the blood stain on your shirt sleeve" - although it may seem as if this line is referencing drugs, i believe it symbolizes how he gave his heart and soul to this girl, so much so that it is almost as if he bled for her, and his love for her was so strong that it metaphorically visible on her shirt, able to be noticed when looking at her life
"make the hair stand up on your arm" - this simply references how he knows their entire relationship and experience together was so meaningful and real that the mere thought of it can send goosebumps through the body. their amazing connection was so deep that it affects the body subconciously
"i'll be there, tell me when you wanna go" - this line that concludes the song includes his last words to her: telling her that he will always be there for her, will always have her in his heart and that if she were to desire to return to their love, he would instantaneously meet her. he will be ready for her love again, ready to go for her and with her the moment she says she wants to.
A beautiful song, lyrically and musically. one of rhcp's best in my opinion. I can listen to this song over and over again, and it never fails to inspire a myriad of deep emotions and memories inside of me.
totally agree with u on everything
What about this section, "I'm an inbred and a pothead, Two legs that you spread, Inside the tool shed, Now we know it all for sure"? I don't know where that fits into your interpretation.
@megan082591 I beg to differ. It refers to his heroin addiction.
@megan082591 I beg to differ. It refers to his heroin addiction.