"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.
You know you're too young for your age
I feel kind of sorry for you
'Cause it's such a shame
You won't be laughing when I'm dead
Under stairs and no one cares I'm dead
And that is where I'll wait for you
Nothing here has changed
Maybe you should go and find
Someone else to blame
'Cause you are gonna be sorry when I'm dead
Under stairs and no one cares I'm dead
And that is where I'll wait for you
I feel kind of sorry for you
'Cause it's such a shame
You won't be laughing when I'm dead
Under stairs and no one cares I'm dead
And that is where I'll wait for you
Nothing here has changed
Maybe you should go and find
Someone else to blame
'Cause you are gonna be sorry when I'm dead
Under stairs and no one cares I'm dead
And that is where I'll wait for you
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
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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.
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.
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.
"You know you're too young for your age I feel kind of sorry for you 'Cause it's such a shame You won't be laughing when I'm dead"
Like Blinko said, the first line says that they are immature. The next few lines say that they won't be as happy, laughing about her when she dies.
"Under stairs and no one cares I'm dead And that is where I'll wait for you"
She's waiting under the stairs for the person that led her to her suicide, and believes no one else to care.
"Nothing here has changed Maybe you should go and find Someone else to blame 'Cause you are gonna be sorry when I'm dead"
These lines are saying, suicide has crossed my mind and now you really need to back off because you're gonna feel sorry that you caused me to kill myself.
"Under stairs and no one cares I'm dead And that is where I'll wait for you"
I agree about what shampoosuicide said. It might be about bullying and she can't take the torment anymore.
You know you're too young for your age
xoxo alex