"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.
One, two, three, uh
My baby don't mess around
Because she loves me so
And this I know fo sho (uh)
But does she really wanna
But can't stand to see me walk out the door? (Ah)
Don't try to fight the feeling
Because the thought alone is killin' me right now (uh)
Thank God for Mom and Dad
For sticking two together
'Cause we don't know how (c'mon)
Hey ya! Hey ya!
Hey ya! Hey ya!
Hey ya! Hey ya!
Hey ya! Hey ya!
You think you've got it
Oh, you think you've got it
But got it just don't get it 'til there's nothin' at all
We get together
Oh, we get together
But separate's always better when there's feelings involved
If what they say is
"Nothing is forever"
Then what makes, then what makes
Then what makes, then what makes (what makes, what makes)
Love the exception?
So why, oh, why, oh
Why, oh, why, oh, why, oh
Are we so in denial when we know we're not happy here?
(Y'all don't want to hear me, you just want to dance)
Hey ya! (Uh oh) Hey ya! (Uh oh)
Don't want to meet your daddy
Hey ya! (Uh oh)
Just want you in my Caddy (Uh oh)
Hey ya! (Uh oh)
Don't want to meet your mama
Hey ya! (Uh oh)
Just want to make you cum-a (Uh oh)
Hey ya! (Uh oh)
I'm, I'm, I'm just being honest (Uh oh)
I'm just being honest
Hey! Alright now
Alright now, fellas (Yeah?)
Now, what cooler than being cool? (Ice cold!)
I can't hear you
I say what's, what's cooler than being cool? (Ice cold!)
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright, alright
Okay, now ladies (Yeah?)
Now, we gon' break this thang down in just a few seconds
Now, don't have me break this thang down for nothin'
Now, I want to see y'all on y'all baddest behavior
Lend me some sugar, I am your neighbor
Ah! Here we go
Shake it, shake, shake it, shake it, shake, shake it (Uh oh)
Shake it, shake, shake it, shake it, shake it (Uh oh)
Shake it like a Polaroid picture, hey ya!
Shake it, shake, shake it, shake it, shake, shake it
Shake it, shake it, shake it, sugar
Shake it like a Polaroid picture
Now, all Beyonce's, and Lucy Liu's
And baby dolls
Get on the floor
Get on the floor, you know what to do
You know what to do
You know what to do
Hey ya! (Uh oh) Hey ya! (Uh oh)
Hey ya! (Uh oh) Hey ya! (Uh oh)
Hey ya! (Uh oh) Hey ya! (Uh oh)
Hey ya! (Uh oh) Hey ya! (Uh oh)
My baby don't mess around
Because she loves me so
And this I know fo sho (uh)
But does she really wanna
But can't stand to see me walk out the door? (Ah)
Don't try to fight the feeling
Because the thought alone is killin' me right now (uh)
Thank God for Mom and Dad
For sticking two together
'Cause we don't know how (c'mon)
Hey ya! Hey ya!
Hey ya! Hey ya!
Hey ya! Hey ya!
Hey ya! Hey ya!
You think you've got it
Oh, you think you've got it
But got it just don't get it 'til there's nothin' at all
We get together
Oh, we get together
But separate's always better when there's feelings involved
If what they say is
"Nothing is forever"
Then what makes, then what makes
Then what makes, then what makes (what makes, what makes)
Love the exception?
So why, oh, why, oh
Why, oh, why, oh, why, oh
Are we so in denial when we know we're not happy here?
(Y'all don't want to hear me, you just want to dance)
Hey ya! (Uh oh) Hey ya! (Uh oh)
Don't want to meet your daddy
Hey ya! (Uh oh)
Just want you in my Caddy (Uh oh)
Hey ya! (Uh oh)
Don't want to meet your mama
Hey ya! (Uh oh)
Just want to make you cum-a (Uh oh)
Hey ya! (Uh oh)
I'm, I'm, I'm just being honest (Uh oh)
I'm just being honest
Hey! Alright now
Alright now, fellas (Yeah?)
Now, what cooler than being cool? (Ice cold!)
I can't hear you
I say what's, what's cooler than being cool? (Ice cold!)
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright, alright, alright
Alright, alright, alright, alright
Okay, now ladies (Yeah?)
Now, we gon' break this thang down in just a few seconds
Now, don't have me break this thang down for nothin'
Now, I want to see y'all on y'all baddest behavior
Lend me some sugar, I am your neighbor
Ah! Here we go
Shake it, shake, shake it, shake it, shake, shake it (Uh oh)
Shake it, shake, shake it, shake it, shake it (Uh oh)
Shake it like a Polaroid picture, hey ya!
Shake it, shake, shake it, shake it, shake, shake it
Shake it, shake it, shake it, sugar
Shake it like a Polaroid picture
Now, all Beyonce's, and Lucy Liu's
And baby dolls
Get on the floor
Get on the floor, you know what to do
You know what to do
You know what to do
Hey ya! (Uh oh) Hey ya! (Uh oh)
Hey ya! (Uh oh) Hey ya! (Uh oh)
Hey ya! (Uh oh) Hey ya! (Uh oh)
Hey ya! (Uh oh) Hey ya! (Uh oh)
Lyrics submitted by fallacies, edited by embassyrow, Lakdn
Hey Ya! Lyrics as written by Andre Benjamin
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
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.
The man is unable to figure out if the girl he's with actually cares for him. He is distressed, and but assures himself it is fine, but he "just don't get it." He discovers her actions, but she doesn't care because she believes "separates always better when there's feelings involved," going so far as to say love is not an exception to the phrase "nothing lasts forever." He then realizes their own denial in their dysfunctional relationship, and doesn't understand why they stay in their relationship when he too does not honor it.
The entire song is sad because he is describing the very real and serious issues that he is dealing with. This pained man, in his attempts to write a song that conveys his feelings, concludes that no one will ever care about his own problems, he is yelling saying how the audience "don't want him here they just wanna dance."
He then lists his superficial relationships, remaining distant so as not to get hurt, finally stating this behavior is perfectly normal,because society glorifies people who are "ice cold." He then re-addresses the superficial and sexual nature of modern society, "shake it, shake, shake it like a Polaroid picture." Contemporary relationships are unable to find meaning because they "shake it," or rather, in their impatience ruin something that could be good. In contrast, past people, like mom and dad, knew how to "stick two together" while they don't know how. He then says they know what to do, meaning they know this and fully embrace what he too has come to accept.
All the while, he has this upbeat instrumental section, existing because it is what the crowd wants, and he knows they'll be happy despite his sad lyrics, thus proving his own claim: the audience doesn't care what you're feeling, they just want to have a good time, and as a musical professional he can't ruin the happy mood. He realizes he's a popular music artist and that people just don't like or understand emotionally meaningful songs, even if it's by someone they like because society is superficial. The saddest part: people truly did think this song was happy and they did glorify it, they thought they "got it," but they "just don't get it," there is "nothing at all."
This song is about the descent of morals and values in respect to relationships, from mom and dad's past generation to the present generation. The man changes himself, trying his best to fit in and meet the quota, however, despite his attempts to convince himself that he does meet the expectation, despite making the song upbeat, despite putting up a smile in front of the crowd, he cannot help but convey his emotion. This all proves that he is truly disheartened in the face of modern expectations: he has lost hope for love, he is losing himself, he does not believe in society.
That was beautiful, you are the Andre Whisperer.
@SeanDaNerd If that was any deeper, Adele would be rolling in it
@SeanDaNerd baboo babadaba<br />
There's even meaning to "What's COOLER THAN BEING COOL" "ICE COLD"
It's about how love has become completely degraded today. We confuse sex for love, and we don't have real feelings. It's "cool" to NOT SHOW EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT. It's cooler than being cool. Be ice cold, completely emotionally unattached, cuz being a player is way more idealized than being a cool person with a steady girlfriend or boyfriend. All love is today is women showing off our goodies and men idealizing emotional unattachment. This song is deceptively deep. Love it.
Outkast=the shit!
Damn that's deep! Outkast really is the shit!
Brilliant!! We're all so afraid of showing how we feel because it makes us vulnerable. It's much better to be ice cold. To act like you don't care.<br /> <br /> Life is short guys! Tell em how you feel today, because you might not get the chance tomorrow.
I'm not sure i completely get this song, it's kind of a mix of happy and sad. It's such a good song. I always thought it was a happy happy song, but after being forced to listen to the lyrices, it became so much better, and complex. To me, it's about the bittersweet side of love, it's great to be in love and you always want it to be like that and force it to be like it is in the movies, but sometimes it just doesn't/won't work ("you think you've got it, but got it just don't get it when there's nothing at all to get"). It's about accepting the inevitability of change ("People say that nothig lasts forever, what makes love an exception?") and acting upon it. I think he knows that the relationship is doomed, and it must be ended before it hurts them both ("separate's always better when there's feelings involved"). He is after all, just being honest. I don't really understand the bit about ("thank God for Mum and Dad for keeping two together"), but maybe it's like he's taking comfort in the fact that relationships sometimes do progress past the tough periods (if they're made to) and that kind of long term love does exist and is possible. I love the line "y'all don't want to hear me, y'all just want to dance" because to me it's what the song's about, having fun without thinking about the end, you don't want to hear, just dance, live for the moment.
um, yeah.... I love this song (but probably not forever...)
I totally agree i think there is a very bittersweet quality to the song. I def think he is referring to how some relationships, along with many other thigns ins life have to come to an end.
Hey Ya: a splash of ice-cold water
[Intro] One two three go!
[Verse One - Andre 3000] "My baby don't mess around Because she loves me so And this I know fo shooo.."
"Uh, But does she really wanna But can't stand to see me Walk ou the dooo.."
"Don't try to fight the feelin' Because the thought alone is killing me right nooww.."
"Uh, thank god for mom and dad For sticking through together 'Cause we don't know hooowww... UH!"
[Verse Two - Andre 3000] "You think you've got it Ohh, you think you've go it But got it just don't get it Till' there's nothing at AaaaaaaaAAAAAAAaaaaaaAAAAAAaaaaaallllll.."
We've been together "Ohh, we've been together But seperate's always better when there's feelings InvooooooOOOOOOOoooooooOOOOOOooooooOOOOOlved"
"If what they say is ("Nothing is forever") Then what makes, Then what makes, Then what makes Then what makes, Then what makes LOOVVEEE? (Love exception) "
"So why you, why you Why you, why you, why you are we so in denial When we are not happy heeeerrreeee..."
"Y'all don't want me here you just wanna dance"
[Chorus] "Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa.. (OHH OH) Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa.. (OHH OH) Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa.. (Don't want to meet your daddy, OHH OH) Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa.. (Just want you in my Caddy OHH OH) Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa.. (OHH OH, don't want to meet yo' mama OHH OH) Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa.. (Just wan't to make you cumma OHH OH) Heeeyyy... Yaaaaaaa.. (I'm, OHH OH I'm, OHH OH) Heeyy Yaaaaaaaa.. (I'm just being honest OHH OH, I'm just being honest)"
[Bridge - Andre 3000] "Now what's cooler than bein' cool? (ICE COLD!)"
"Shke it, shake it like a Poloroid Picture, shake it, shake it Shh you got to, shake it, shh shake it, shake it, got to shake it (Shake it Suga') shake it like a Poloroid Picture"
[Verse Three - Andre 3000 (Repeating "Shake it" in background)] "Now while Beyonc and Lucy Lui: And baby dogs, get on the floor"
"(Get on the floor) You know what to dooo.. Yooooouuu.. know I do"
Summary: The song describes being logical and thinking about what happens in relationships. The singer decides that the best thing to do to avoid unpleasant emotions and situations, is to be detached. The song is also about being honest about basic urges and seeking freedom from manipulation and dependency. The song acknowledges the fact that love and emotions fade, and it is impractical to stick together when happiness is gone. That is why people should just enjoy one another and not complicate things.
I recommend this song for those who constantly seek love, when all they need is sex and a healthy self-esteem
I beilve Andre 3000 said that he wrote this song about the difficulties of romace and relationships. However, realizing the beat was so good he figured people would dance to it even though it's not putting romance and such in a good light, hence the line: "ya'll don't wanna hear me, ya'll just wanna dance."
it's so fucked up that people think just because someone's famous they have the right to say "end your life" if they don't like their music. im assuming you've never met the man you wish death upon? outkast is the shit, but i wouldn't even wish death upon james blunt
THIS SONG KICKS ASS AND TAKES NAMES! LMFAO! :D
Man , this song is awesommmeeeeee!! It's the best song! It has such a good beat....and that "shake it" part kicks ass! This is definitely the best song of 2004!
I don't mean this in a confrontational way, but I think it is ironic that rainbow said they don't care what the song is about. "Y'all don't want to hear me, you just want to dance." And I have to agree.
the ultimate workout song - upbeat, motivating n generally fun. i luv it