"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'm looking at another day to find that I've got nothing to say
Or I'm looking for another way to process what happened on that birthday
And either way, if you're gonna call it art
Then there's a cup in front of you and right away
If you're gonna play your part, you must drink it down
But mind eyes have seen the glory
Of the fields of flowers and factory floors
And my mind's content to lie at rest for hours
Behind my loved ones' doors and if there's a war
Another shitty war to fight for babylon
Then it's the perfect storm in a tea cup
But you must drink it down
And what do you make of the nights
When you thought you'd make much more
Than being too tired to turn the lights out
And too drunk to drink more?
And what does it take to not hear the cynics at your door saying
"It's time the turn the lights out, and you'll want to keep it down!"
So I'm lifting up that poison cup to drink a draught of propoganda
Or I'm giving up that other stuff in hopes that it will make me madder
But either way, if you're gonna call it art
Then there's a cup in front of you and right away
If you're gonna play your part
You must drink it down
And what do you make of nights
When you thought you'd make much more
Than being too tired to turn the lights out
And too drunk to drink more?
And what does it take to not hear the cynics at your door saying
"It's time the turn the lights out, and you'll want to keep it down!"
And what does it say of all the things you've said before
When you're too drunk to turn the lights out
And too tired to drink more?
And what do you save, and what does it feel like to be saved?
And can you "pull - 2 - 3 - 4! pull - 2 - 3 - 4!"
Can you drink it down?
Or I'm looking for another way to process what happened on that birthday
And either way, if you're gonna call it art
Then there's a cup in front of you and right away
If you're gonna play your part, you must drink it down
But mind eyes have seen the glory
Of the fields of flowers and factory floors
And my mind's content to lie at rest for hours
Behind my loved ones' doors and if there's a war
Another shitty war to fight for babylon
Then it's the perfect storm in a tea cup
But you must drink it down
And what do you make of the nights
When you thought you'd make much more
Than being too tired to turn the lights out
And too drunk to drink more?
And what does it take to not hear the cynics at your door saying
"It's time the turn the lights out, and you'll want to keep it down!"
So I'm lifting up that poison cup to drink a draught of propoganda
Or I'm giving up that other stuff in hopes that it will make me madder
But either way, if you're gonna call it art
Then there's a cup in front of you and right away
If you're gonna play your part
You must drink it down
And what do you make of nights
When you thought you'd make much more
Than being too tired to turn the lights out
And too drunk to drink more?
And what does it take to not hear the cynics at your door saying
"It's time the turn the lights out, and you'll want to keep it down!"
And what does it say of all the things you've said before
When you're too drunk to turn the lights out
And too tired to drink more?
And what do you save, and what does it feel like to be saved?
And can you "pull - 2 - 3 - 4! pull - 2 - 3 - 4!"
Can you drink it down?
Lyrics submitted by knifefight
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
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
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.
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.
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.
the meaning i took from this song was an artists responsibility to make social/political commentary. ted basically saying the state of things aren't what i'd like them to be, and i will not censor myself because the president is fighting his war. i think that "there's a cup in front of you" is basically saying if you want to wear the badge of an artist be prepared to make your statement and accept the criticism you will undoubtedly recieve from those who don't agree with your opinion. ted has seriously changed my life. his lyrics, his music, and his conversations have been a constant inspiration to me.