"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.
Jester: So indulge me if I pause to raise my chalice to a quaint and charming dance
he used to do, in the days when my dear father played the palace back in 1392.
My dad was debonair and quite as light as air in his very soft shoes.
How he could dip and glide and skip and slide. In his very soft shoes.
I used to stand and watch him ev'ry day, he was always smooth and cool.
I used to love to hear the people say, "He's a regular dancing fool!"
He barely touched the ground, and never made a sound, but I've noticed in all his reviews,
that when he took his bow to the crowd and the crown the crowd went crazy
and the house came down!
When daddy wore his very soft shoes.
Announcer: Ladies and gentleman, the King of the Dancing Jesters!
(A Silver Jester appears behind scrim. Our Jester and the Silver Jester
perform a mirror dance. Towards the end of the dance, the Silver Jester
gives the stage to our Jester, and watches him finish the dance.)
Jester & Ensemble: And when he took his bow to the crowd and the crown,
the crowd went crazy and the house came down!
Jester: When daddy…
Ensemble: Daddy…
Jester: Wore his…
Ensemble: Wore his…
Jester: Very…
Ensemble: Very…
Jester: Soft
Ensemble: Shhhhhhh….
Jester: Shoes!
he used to do, in the days when my dear father played the palace back in 1392.
My dad was debonair and quite as light as air in his very soft shoes.
How he could dip and glide and skip and slide. In his very soft shoes.
I used to stand and watch him ev'ry day, he was always smooth and cool.
I used to love to hear the people say, "He's a regular dancing fool!"
He barely touched the ground, and never made a sound, but I've noticed in all his reviews,
that when he took his bow to the crowd and the crown the crowd went crazy
and the house came down!
When daddy wore his very soft shoes.
Announcer: Ladies and gentleman, the King of the Dancing Jesters!
(A Silver Jester appears behind scrim. Our Jester and the Silver Jester
perform a mirror dance. Towards the end of the dance, the Silver Jester
gives the stage to our Jester, and watches him finish the dance.)
Jester & Ensemble: And when he took his bow to the crowd and the crown,
the crowd went crazy and the house came down!
Jester: When daddy…
Ensemble: Daddy…
Jester: Wore his…
Ensemble: Wore his…
Jester: Very…
Ensemble: Very…
Jester: Soft
Ensemble: Shhhhhhh….
Jester: Shoes!
Lyrics submitted by BroadwayAngel232
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
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
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.
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.
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,
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.