"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.
Heartbeats that race, but feet that drag.
Your parents split up and I'm left here to feel sorry for you.
I'm just not sure if this is how it's supposed to be with me on your bed,
And your eyes glued to the TV.
I'm just not sure if I fit into this film strip of yesterdays
And this is as real as it gets.
This is as real as I can be
And it just feels right floating around your room.
It just feels right touching your hair.
It just feels right to hold onto what we felt before.
But I'm apathetic with a capital "A".
And I'm fading into this old chair.
There just isn't enough magic to turn this one around.
I can't play the role of concerned anymore.
She says, "This life is for the birds."
But heavens no, don't go away tonight.
'Cause this isn't about what's on the TV set.
It's about how you've handled yourself
And how it isn't working anymore.
It's ten seconds until it gets quiet.
It's old and it's far fetched to say that spring is around the corner.
And if this is how it ends, I'm already dead.
Your parents split up and I'm left here to feel sorry for you.
I'm just not sure if this is how it's supposed to be with me on your bed,
And your eyes glued to the TV.
I'm just not sure if I fit into this film strip of yesterdays
And this is as real as it gets.
This is as real as I can be
And it just feels right floating around your room.
It just feels right touching your hair.
It just feels right to hold onto what we felt before.
But I'm apathetic with a capital "A".
And I'm fading into this old chair.
There just isn't enough magic to turn this one around.
I can't play the role of concerned anymore.
She says, "This life is for the birds."
But heavens no, don't go away tonight.
'Cause this isn't about what's on the TV set.
It's about how you've handled yourself
And how it isn't working anymore.
It's ten seconds until it gets quiet.
It's old and it's far fetched to say that spring is around the corner.
And if this is how it ends, I'm already dead.
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.
it's about wanting to be with a person but no longer finding it in you to continue the pursuit.
but! letting go isn't as easy as it seems.