"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.
NYPD, LAPD, NYPD (when it's on that's who you get, huh?)
NYPD, LAPD, NYPD (that's your motherfuckin' clique, huh?)
NYPD, LAPD, NYPD (you a motherfuckin' snitch, huh?)
NYPD, LAPD, NYPD
Niggas wanna shine like me (me)
Rhyme like me (me)
But they don't walk around with a .9 like me (me)
They don't want to do it three to nine like me
And they ain't strong enough to take nine like me
Ayo, you thinkin' 'bout shittin' on 50, save it
My songs belong in the Bible with King David's
I teach niggas sign language, that ain't deaf, son
You heard that? That mean run
Ask around, I ain't the one you wanna stunt on, pa
Pull through, I'll throw a fuckin' cocktail at ya car
From the last shootout I got a dimple on my face
It's nothin', I can go after Mase fan base (haha)
Shell hit my jaw, I ain't wait for doctor to get it out
Hit my wisdom tooth, spit it out
I don't smile a lot 'cause ain't nothin' pretty
Got a purple heart for war and I ain't never left the city
Hoes be like, "Fiddy, you so witty"
On the dick like they heard I ghostwrite for P. Diddy
You got fat while we starve, it's my turn (uh-huh)
I done felt how the shells burn, I still won't learn
Won't learn
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
Mama said everything that happened to us, was part of God's plan
So at night when I talk to him I got my gun in my hand
Don't think I'm crazy 'cause I don't fear man
'Cause I fear when I kill a man God won't understand
I got a head full of evil thoughts, am I Satan?
I been could've killed these niggas, I'm still waitin'
In the telly with two whores, Benz with two doors
Thirty-two karats in the cross, no flaws (woo)
You see me in the hood, I got at least two guns
I carry the Glock, Tony carry my M-1
Hold me down, nigga, OGs tryin' to rock me (yeah)
D's waitin' for my response to lock me (yeah)
This is my hustle, nigga, don't knock me
You need some shit with a banana clip to try and stop me
I'm the one
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
See, I done been to the Pearly Gates, they sent me back
Good die young, I ain't eligible for that
I shot niggas, I been shot, sold crack in the street
My attitude is gangsta, so I stay in some beef
You wanna get acquainted with me, you wanna know me
From three-point range with a Glock, I shoot better then Kobe (yeah)
See a nigga standin' next to me, he probably my Co-D
See a bitch gettin' in my whip, she probably gon' blow me
See the flow is like a .38, it's special y'all
A country boy tell ya, "I'm finna blow"
I'm more like a pimp than a trick, you know
You see I'm in this for the paper, I don't love the hoes
Niggas broke in the hood worryin' 'bout mines
Grown ass men wearin' starter kit shines
Know them little pieces with the little stones
Got little clientele fiends call your cell phone
When the gossipin' start I'm always the topic
You too old for that shit, dog, won't you stop it?
Shorty, I been watchin' you watchin' me
Now tell me what you like more, my watch or me? Haha
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn, not like me
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn
We ain't got nothin' in common
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn, you not like me
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn, you not like me
NYPD, LAPD, NYPD (that's your motherfuckin' clique, huh?)
NYPD, LAPD, NYPD (you a motherfuckin' snitch, huh?)
NYPD, LAPD, NYPD
Niggas wanna shine like me (me)
Rhyme like me (me)
But they don't walk around with a .9 like me (me)
They don't want to do it three to nine like me
And they ain't strong enough to take nine like me
Ayo, you thinkin' 'bout shittin' on 50, save it
My songs belong in the Bible with King David's
I teach niggas sign language, that ain't deaf, son
You heard that? That mean run
Ask around, I ain't the one you wanna stunt on, pa
Pull through, I'll throw a fuckin' cocktail at ya car
From the last shootout I got a dimple on my face
It's nothin', I can go after Mase fan base (haha)
Shell hit my jaw, I ain't wait for doctor to get it out
Hit my wisdom tooth, spit it out
I don't smile a lot 'cause ain't nothin' pretty
Got a purple heart for war and I ain't never left the city
Hoes be like, "Fiddy, you so witty"
On the dick like they heard I ghostwrite for P. Diddy
You got fat while we starve, it's my turn (uh-huh)
I done felt how the shells burn, I still won't learn
Won't learn
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
Mama said everything that happened to us, was part of God's plan
So at night when I talk to him I got my gun in my hand
Don't think I'm crazy 'cause I don't fear man
'Cause I fear when I kill a man God won't understand
I got a head full of evil thoughts, am I Satan?
I been could've killed these niggas, I'm still waitin'
In the telly with two whores, Benz with two doors
Thirty-two karats in the cross, no flaws (woo)
You see me in the hood, I got at least two guns
I carry the Glock, Tony carry my M-1
Hold me down, nigga, OGs tryin' to rock me (yeah)
D's waitin' for my response to lock me (yeah)
This is my hustle, nigga, don't knock me
You need some shit with a banana clip to try and stop me
I'm the one
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
See, I done been to the Pearly Gates, they sent me back
Good die young, I ain't eligible for that
I shot niggas, I been shot, sold crack in the street
My attitude is gangsta, so I stay in some beef
You wanna get acquainted with me, you wanna know me
From three-point range with a Glock, I shoot better then Kobe (yeah)
See a nigga standin' next to me, he probably my Co-D
See a bitch gettin' in my whip, she probably gon' blow me
See the flow is like a .38, it's special y'all
A country boy tell ya, "I'm finna blow"
I'm more like a pimp than a trick, you know
You see I'm in this for the paper, I don't love the hoes
Niggas broke in the hood worryin' 'bout mines
Grown ass men wearin' starter kit shines
Know them little pieces with the little stones
Got little clientele fiends call your cell phone
When the gossipin' start I'm always the topic
You too old for that shit, dog, won't you stop it?
Shorty, I been watchin' you watchin' me
Now tell me what you like more, my watch or me? Haha
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
If you get shot and run to the cops you not like me
You ain't got no work on the block, you not like me
It's hot and you ain't got no drop, you not like me
Like me, dude, you not like me
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn, not like me
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn
We ain't got nothin' in common
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn, you not like me
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn
Uhn-uhn, uhn-uhn, you not like me
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
He is implying that if you're not a gun-toting crack dealer, you're not like him - "I shot niggaz, I been shot, sold crack in the street"
I am not like him. Thank goodness..
damn straight im not like you
if i seen fitty in the streets, i would kick him sooo hard in the shins!!!!...oh he'll know pain then!!! he needs to go back to selling drugs, rap (a.k.a SHIT) is spreading like the plauge, WE NEED AN ANTIDOTE
WE NEED TO GUNS G
im straight up in da club n everthing G
:D
efffffffffff annoyed woot to all of his majestic and casue he is so great and powerful , ill make up a word to describe him!
it is...: Fuberancary i like it
Basically, 50 Cent is cocksucking, motherfucking, prick, shitburger, dickwod, asswipe, sexist, crackheaded smizzle!!!
Yes I said smizzle.
When Fitty (50) does this one he done needs to be lookin' in a mirror because even he ain't "like me" or like "he" (meaning himself). If he was like this, he would be livin' it, not rappin' it & no one would know about it except his fellow nigs in da 'hood. Lately 50 Cent is more like 15 Cents, as his street cred is losing its value. He's now a corporate gangsta, the same as successful guidos from Bensonhurst who make a "killing" on Wall Street, negotiating deals for Vitamin Water & such. His recent music resembles an old car battery, weak, with no voltage or shock power. Plus, a lot of rappers (like fitty) instill "creative license" to his lyrics, same as James Frey did in his book "A Million Little Pieces". The only way fitty could get "beef" these days is if he buys it at the meat dept. of Waldbaum's or some other supermarket. Word is bond/born!
Forgot to add to the end of the last post: This is a good track (one of fitty's best). I laugh & enjoy this one whenever I hear it. "U Not Like Me" has the ability to stay fresh & not get played out. Just wish Fitty had more like this one, maybe "Hustler's Ambition".