"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 never meant to fall in love again this way
(Oh,I'm in way too deep)
But there's somethin' 'bout the way she says my name
(I tremble every time she speaks)
I should've learned by now to take it slow
(But down I go)
I'm in way too deep
I can't help but love her
Ain't no way to keep
Me from goin' under
I can't breathe (I can't breathe)
No savin' me (No savin'me)
I'm in way too deep
(I'm in over my head)
(Every little thing she said haunts me in my sleep)
I'm in way too deep
(I can't dig my way out)
(No livin' without her)
(I'm in way too deep)
Hey,don't even bother throwin' me a line
(No,I'm in way too deep)
Ain't no need to rescue me 'cause she's so fine
(Can't fight it 'cause her love's so sweet)
She's gonna be the death of me,I know
(What a way to go)
I'm in way too deep
I can't help but love her
Ain't no way to keep
Me from goin' under
I can't breathe (I can't breathe)
No savin' me (No savin' me)
I'm in way too deep
(I'm in over my head)
(Every little thing she said haunts me in my sleep)
I'm in way to deep
(I can't dig my way out)
(No livin' without her)
(I'm in way too deep)
Yeah,yeah,yeah
She's gonna be the death of me,I know
(But it's out of my control)
(I'm in over my head)
(Every little thing she said haunts me in my sleep)
(I can't dig my way out)
(No livin' without her)
(I'm in way to deep)
(I'm in over my head) way too deep
(Every little things she said haunts me in my sleep) I can't help but
love her
Ain't no way to keep
(I can't dig my way out)
Me from goin' under
(No lovin'without her)
(I'm in way too deep)
I'm in way too deep
I can't help but love her
Ain't no way to keep
Me from goin' under
I can't breathe (I can't breathe)
No savin' me (No savin' me)
I'm in way too deep
(I'm over my head)
(Every little thing she said haunts me in my sleep)
I'm in way too deep
(I can't dig my way out)
(No livin' without her)
(I'm in way too deep)
Way too deep
(I'm in over my head)
(Every little thing she said haunts me in my sleep)
Out of my head,no I can't sleep
(I can't dig my way out)
(No livin' without her)
(I'm in way too deep)
(Oh,I'm in way too deep)
But there's somethin' 'bout the way she says my name
(I tremble every time she speaks)
I should've learned by now to take it slow
(But down I go)
I'm in way too deep
I can't help but love her
Ain't no way to keep
Me from goin' under
I can't breathe (I can't breathe)
No savin' me (No savin'me)
I'm in way too deep
(I'm in over my head)
(Every little thing she said haunts me in my sleep)
I'm in way too deep
(I can't dig my way out)
(No livin' without her)
(I'm in way too deep)
Hey,don't even bother throwin' me a line
(No,I'm in way too deep)
Ain't no need to rescue me 'cause she's so fine
(Can't fight it 'cause her love's so sweet)
She's gonna be the death of me,I know
(What a way to go)
I'm in way too deep
I can't help but love her
Ain't no way to keep
Me from goin' under
I can't breathe (I can't breathe)
No savin' me (No savin' me)
I'm in way too deep
(I'm in over my head)
(Every little thing she said haunts me in my sleep)
I'm in way to deep
(I can't dig my way out)
(No livin' without her)
(I'm in way too deep)
Yeah,yeah,yeah
She's gonna be the death of me,I know
(But it's out of my control)
(I'm in over my head)
(Every little thing she said haunts me in my sleep)
(I can't dig my way out)
(No livin' without her)
(I'm in way to deep)
(I'm in over my head) way too deep
(Every little things she said haunts me in my sleep) I can't help but
love her
Ain't no way to keep
(I can't dig my way out)
Me from goin' under
(No lovin'without her)
(I'm in way too deep)
I'm in way too deep
I can't help but love her
Ain't no way to keep
Me from goin' under
I can't breathe (I can't breathe)
No savin' me (No savin' me)
I'm in way too deep
(I'm over my head)
(Every little thing she said haunts me in my sleep)
I'm in way too deep
(I can't dig my way out)
(No livin' without her)
(I'm in way too deep)
Way too deep
(I'm in over my head)
(Every little thing she said haunts me in my sleep)
Out of my head,no I can't sleep
(I can't dig my way out)
(No livin' without her)
(I'm in way too deep)
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
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,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
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.