"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 was waiting in the express lane with my twelve items or less
At the checkout counter at the local grocery store
I was only passing by
But a paper caught my eye
And I learned a few things I never knew before
It said your pet may be an extra terrestrial
It said the ghost of Elvis is living in my den
You can learn to cope with stress
You can beat the IRS
And the incredible frog boy is on the loose again
Oh, Midnight Star
It's in the weekly Midnight Star
Aliens from outer space are sleeping in my car
Midnight Star, I want to know, I want to know
Eat jelly donuts and lose twenty pounds a day
Hear the story of the man born without a head
And top psychics all agree
That the telephone company
Will have a brand new service that lets you talk to the dead
Oh, Midnight Star
You can believe it if you read it in the weekly Midnight Star
They're keeping Hitler's brain alive inside a jar
Midnight Star, I want to know, I want to know
Tell me, tell me, tell me how to make my bust-line grow
Midnight Star, I want to know
Oh, Midnight Star
Well, don't you know that I read it, I read it in the weekly Midnight Star
The UFOs have landed and we'll tell you where they are
Midnight Star, I want to know, I want to know
Midnight Star
Well, you can read all about in in the weekly Midnight Star
You can use you ESP to learn to play guitar
Midnight Star I want to know, I want to know
(Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(Ah, Midnight Star) Inquiring minds like mine want to know
(You can read it, Midnight Star) (Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(You can read it, Midnight Star) (Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(You can read it, Midnight Star) (Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(You can read it, Midnight Star) (Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(You can read it, Midnight Star) (Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(You can read it, Midnight Star) (Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
At the checkout counter at the local grocery store
I was only passing by
But a paper caught my eye
And I learned a few things I never knew before
It said your pet may be an extra terrestrial
It said the ghost of Elvis is living in my den
You can learn to cope with stress
You can beat the IRS
And the incredible frog boy is on the loose again
Oh, Midnight Star
It's in the weekly Midnight Star
Aliens from outer space are sleeping in my car
Midnight Star, I want to know, I want to know
Eat jelly donuts and lose twenty pounds a day
Hear the story of the man born without a head
And top psychics all agree
That the telephone company
Will have a brand new service that lets you talk to the dead
Oh, Midnight Star
You can believe it if you read it in the weekly Midnight Star
They're keeping Hitler's brain alive inside a jar
Midnight Star, I want to know, I want to know
Tell me, tell me, tell me how to make my bust-line grow
Midnight Star, I want to know
Oh, Midnight Star
Well, don't you know that I read it, I read it in the weekly Midnight Star
The UFOs have landed and we'll tell you where they are
Midnight Star, I want to know, I want to know
Midnight Star
Well, you can read all about in in the weekly Midnight Star
You can use you ESP to learn to play guitar
Midnight Star I want to know, I want to know
(Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(Ah, Midnight Star) Inquiring minds like mine want to know
(You can read it, Midnight Star) (Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(You can read it, Midnight Star) (Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(You can read it, Midnight Star) (Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(You can read it, Midnight Star) (Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(You can read it, Midnight Star) (Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
(You can read it, Midnight Star) (Ah, Midnight Star) I want to know, I want to know
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
Midnight Star Lyrics as written by Yankovic
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
This song is making fun of stupid tabloid headlines, by making up a false one, the midnight star.
This is just great stuff. I love cheesy tabloids (Like the World Weekly News) and this covers most of the cliches. Musically, it's also one of Al's strongest songs as well. The melody kicks butt.
Love this song. It was always my favorite when I was about 8 years old and I've never forgotten the words! My favorite line "Inquiring minds like mine wanna know" And I agree with Bonehead. It is one of his strongest songs musically.