"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 met you at the barricade
It's fever pitch where the crowd had gathered
You said the bow is breaking
You want to get some coffee or something
Float by the crowd that scatters
I found my people and nothing else matters
Bullhorns feed back in stormy skies
No one listens but it's so hot when you try
You've got a taste for danger
It turns you on
Just take a look in your face
I know what's going on
You got a taste for danger
Tiptoe through the riots
Vandals laced and braced for action
No sense, no consequence
You're a green stick fracture
Bounce back at you
Chorus
Beggars stare at the brand new sneakers on the
Anarchists and celebrity speakers
These are improbable days my friends
Tomorrow's mundane
All good things must end
And the cops told the crown they must disperse
Your pretty eyes fall as the tear gas burst
Here come the horses and we move along
Promise I'll see you but the moment is gone
You're shocked when the spray can splatters
Deliver us from the chumps and suckers
You and me killing time in the present tense
Bound together by someone to fight against
Chorus
I used to be a dissident citizen
It's fever pitch where the crowd had gathered
You said the bow is breaking
You want to get some coffee or something
Float by the crowd that scatters
I found my people and nothing else matters
Bullhorns feed back in stormy skies
No one listens but it's so hot when you try
You've got a taste for danger
It turns you on
Just take a look in your face
I know what's going on
You got a taste for danger
Tiptoe through the riots
Vandals laced and braced for action
No sense, no consequence
You're a green stick fracture
Bounce back at you
Chorus
Beggars stare at the brand new sneakers on the
Anarchists and celebrity speakers
These are improbable days my friends
Tomorrow's mundane
All good things must end
And the cops told the crown they must disperse
Your pretty eyes fall as the tear gas burst
Here come the horses and we move along
Promise I'll see you but the moment is gone
You're shocked when the spray can splatters
Deliver us from the chumps and suckers
You and me killing time in the present tense
Bound together by someone to fight against
Chorus
I used to be a dissident citizen
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.
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
i love stephan jenkins. too bad i never made it to a concert. anyways, i'm not sure who this is about...t sounds like a girl he met at a concert. it could be anyone. oh well i just wanted to say my favorite part is: you're shocked when the spray can splatters Deliver us from the chumps and suckers
I just love how he says SPLATTERS. like gengy said...third eye blind is so perfect