"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 come to you all dressed in sound
Bluebirds tripping wires to the ground
Connected to a time machine that will not power down
Set the crosshairs back on one
You said we'd only die here in a sun
The way your head stone shines
I only wish that it was mine
So set the crosshairs back on one
And nail the loop that brings the second run
Passed the wished on charms
And through the lens back to your living arms
This time machine won't power down
And this time machine won't power down
And still the crosshairs rest on one
And still you rest there in the morning sun
And still I fumble through pages of constructions on the ride
I like the blown out sound that you've found
I like the way it feels here coming down
The way your headstone shines
I only wish that it was mine
Bluebirds tripping wires to the ground
Connected to a time machine that will not power down
Set the crosshairs back on one
You said we'd only die here in a sun
The way your head stone shines
I only wish that it was mine
So set the crosshairs back on one
And nail the loop that brings the second run
Passed the wished on charms
And through the lens back to your living arms
This time machine won't power down
And this time machine won't power down
And still the crosshairs rest on one
And still you rest there in the morning sun
And still I fumble through pages of constructions on the ride
I like the blown out sound that you've found
I like the way it feels here coming down
The way your headstone shines
I only wish that it was mine
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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.
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.
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 think the time machine hes talking about is his memory, he wishes he could forget and carry on, but cant
One of the few songs that can continuously gives me the chills.
I think this song is about his son who passed away (Like if you are to bloom), and wanting to bring him back thorugh a time machine or wanting to go back to the time were he was still alive. <br /> <br /> Some lines I can't make sense of, but a few give it away really. <br /> <br /> "the way your headstone shines,<br /> i only wish that it was mine"<br /> <br /> Going to his sons grave and wishing it was him instead of his son. <br /> <br /> "<br /> past the wished on charms,<br /> through the lens back to your living arms"<br /> <br /> <br /> His wished and wished for his son to come back, and through this machine he comes back. <br /> <br /> "and still the crosshairs rest on one."<br /> This machine has not worked <br /> <br /> "and still you rest here in the morning sun"<br /> His son is still in the cemetery. <br /> <br /> "and still I fumble through"<br /> <br /> He is struggleing to cope with losing his son. <br /> <br /> Thats what I got anyway<br /> <br /> <br /> <br />
A brief follow up on what Kyeb said:<br /> <br /> I believe that the line 'set the crosshairs back on one' means he wishes his son would have a second chance at making it to his first birthday.<br /> <br /> Yeah, the part where the guitar solo kicks in after 'through the lens back to your living arms' always gives me chills as well. I will never tire of this album.