"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.
The poison makes its way through my body slowly
Into the pleasure centers of my brain
If you were here I would admit that I'm an asshole
But now it's over and I can't stay sober
Though it isn't like I tried
And on the front porch, or on an airplane on vacation
Or out for dinner in a nearby town
I was so proud just to have you sitting with me
But now it's over and I can't stay sober
Pour and swallow
Follow one shot with another
I'll keep on till you agree to come back over
Or until there are x's on my eyes
My old man always swore that hell would have no flame
Just a front row seat
To watch your true love pack her things and drive away
Into the pleasure centers of my brain
If you were here I would admit that I'm an asshole
But now it's over and I can't stay sober
Though it isn't like I tried
And on the front porch, or on an airplane on vacation
Or out for dinner in a nearby town
I was so proud just to have you sitting with me
But now it's over and I can't stay sober
Pour and swallow
Follow one shot with another
I'll keep on till you agree to come back over
Or until there are x's on my eyes
My old man always swore that hell would have no flame
Just a front row seat
To watch your true love pack her things and drive away
Lyrics submitted by sarahsavedlatin
The Poison Lyrics as written by David Shannon Bazan
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, O/B/O DistroKid
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
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.
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.
My old man alway swore That hell would have no flame Just a front row seat to watch your true love Pack her things and drive away
That line is so amazing! It makes me shiver everytime I hear it.
this is my favorite song from pedro, ever. and I've listened to them for a long time. the last verse breaks my heart. it breaks my heart because i think it's true.
i love this song. i think it is one of the best ones on this new album. but it is a killer. especially that last line. so beautiful yet sad.
what a fucking heartbreaking song.
To me, this song ends the themes in achilles heel (obviously, because its the last track on the album), and how whatever the speaker does, he cannot stop the poison (the disintegration) of his relationship, he, now in the depths of alcoholism, reflects on his loss.
This is my favorite song on the CD (besides possibly Start Without Me). Especially the last part (starting wtih "my old man").
i can relate to this song way to well.
I really appreciate David Bazan because he tells stories so well and conveys emotion perfectly in his songs. You really get the sense that a depressed, drunken, broken man is singing this song. And who knows, maybe it is.
This is quite a strange pedro song, since you get the meaning the first time you listen it. He didn't make much songs like this one. It's just very clear what he's trying to say in this song.
So simple. So true.