"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.
The risk of the horizon
is worth the aging of the mind
Go and make your own.....WAY!!!
Slowly moving sands of time
Sheltered by the wings of Infinity
Soldier of his own master plan
Drifting endless, broken dreams
Diving in the sea of eternity
Soaring through the winds of the Sky
A promised dream; eternal nights
His shadow's scream; they scream of future times
A tortured soul by candlelight
Story told; told of atomic fire
The God of old is on my side
To tell the future of all mankind
My life's price set on this date
To save us from this prophet's fate
Written, journals of his dreams
Binded by the hands of infinity
Victim of this eternal life
A promised dream; eternal nights
Shadows scream; a scream of future times
Eternal soul, eternal lights
Will make its stand; stand the Immortal fight
is worth the aging of the mind
Go and make your own.....WAY!!!
Slowly moving sands of time
Sheltered by the wings of Infinity
Soldier of his own master plan
Drifting endless, broken dreams
Diving in the sea of eternity
Soaring through the winds of the Sky
A promised dream; eternal nights
His shadow's scream; they scream of future times
A tortured soul by candlelight
Story told; told of atomic fire
The God of old is on my side
To tell the future of all mankind
My life's price set on this date
To save us from this prophet's fate
Written, journals of his dreams
Binded by the hands of infinity
Victim of this eternal life
A promised dream; eternal nights
Shadows scream; a scream of future times
Eternal soul, eternal lights
Will make its stand; stand the Immortal fight
Lyrics submitted by ruben
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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/
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.