"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.
You're driving along...about 95 miles and hour
Sun's up, it's a hot day
And blue sky, there's not a soul around you
You're alone
Hey little god with your foot to the pedal
Hands on the wheel staring out through the windshield
Hair streaking back with the wind like a raven
Over your shoulder, all is forgotten
Under the rubber, the road is afire
Sweat on your body and rust on the chromium
One motivation, a single desire
Keep on the move, don't let anyone near you
Here comes confession time
The ghost of my past
On my shoulder now
This is confession time for me
Here comes confession time
The ghost of all
The years has tracked me down
It's confession time for me
Now thinking back to a home
When you had one
Back down the road
In the dust you remember
Loves you left
When you woke up surrounded
Now you're alone, no one
To turn to
What do you hide with your ray-bans
What do you love when you look in the mirror
There's no escape from the voices inside you
Here comes confession time
The ghost of my past
On my shoulder now
This is confession time for me
Here comes confession time
The ghost of all
The years has tracked me down
It's confession time for me
Rain down
And nowhere to hide
Nowhere to hide
Rain on me
Rain down
And nowhere to hide
Nowhere to hide
You can drive on a road to nowhere
Or you can take the wheel and
Turn it to your heart
It's your life it's your life
Sun's up, it's a hot day
And blue sky, there's not a soul around you
You're alone
Hey little god with your foot to the pedal
Hands on the wheel staring out through the windshield
Hair streaking back with the wind like a raven
Over your shoulder, all is forgotten
Under the rubber, the road is afire
Sweat on your body and rust on the chromium
One motivation, a single desire
Keep on the move, don't let anyone near you
Here comes confession time
The ghost of my past
On my shoulder now
This is confession time for me
Here comes confession time
The ghost of all
The years has tracked me down
It's confession time for me
Now thinking back to a home
When you had one
Back down the road
In the dust you remember
Loves you left
When you woke up surrounded
Now you're alone, no one
To turn to
What do you hide with your ray-bans
What do you love when you look in the mirror
There's no escape from the voices inside you
Here comes confession time
The ghost of my past
On my shoulder now
This is confession time for me
Here comes confession time
The ghost of all
The years has tracked me down
It's confession time for me
Rain down
And nowhere to hide
Nowhere to hide
Rain on me
Rain down
And nowhere to hide
Nowhere to hide
You can drive on a road to nowhere
Or you can take the wheel and
Turn it to your heart
It's your life it's your life
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
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.