"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.
If life was a game
Could I win in the end?
And if I was sane
Would I fuck it up all over again?
These questions and answers
Can help me redefine myself
And I thank your open ears for all their help
No
More
Shame
Is what I see for myself
I need to change for my health
I need a better way of life for myself
If I stay the same
How long will I last?
Yet if I change
Will I still just be alone and typecast?
Professional answers
Can't help me to design myself
So I thank your open arms for all their help
No
More
Shame
Is what I see for myself
I need to change for my health
I need a better way of life for myself
Caressing gateways of the mind
(over matter through space as time)
Heals wounds inspiring gifts of light
(inside myself just need some time)
Just need some time to myself
To figure it out
Cause I've got no doubt
Then when my dreams come true
It's because of you
And the fact that I let you
(and I thank you)
No
No
More
Shame
Is what I see for myself
I need to change for my health
I need a better way of life for myself
Caressing gateways of our minds
(over matter through space as time)
Heals wounds inspiring gifts of light
(inside ourselves just need)
Time
Could I win in the end?
And if I was sane
Would I fuck it up all over again?
These questions and answers
Can help me redefine myself
And I thank your open ears for all their help
No
More
Shame
Is what I see for myself
I need to change for my health
I need a better way of life for myself
If I stay the same
How long will I last?
Yet if I change
Will I still just be alone and typecast?
Professional answers
Can't help me to design myself
So I thank your open arms for all their help
No
More
Shame
Is what I see for myself
I need to change for my health
I need a better way of life for myself
Caressing gateways of the mind
(over matter through space as time)
Heals wounds inspiring gifts of light
(inside myself just need some time)
Just need some time to myself
To figure it out
Cause I've got no doubt
Then when my dreams come true
It's because of you
And the fact that I let you
(and I thank you)
No
No
More
Shame
Is what I see for myself
I need to change for my health
I need a better way of life for myself
Caressing gateways of our minds
(over matter through space as time)
Heals wounds inspiring gifts of light
(inside ourselves just need)
Time
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
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.
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.
I think they went through a big change. I mean, they're obviously still Taproot but I think that this song is so awesome and better than most of their older stuff.