"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 saw you walking down the street last night,
I saw him walking by your side,
I saw the way he stopped and held you tight,
I saw the look in your eyes,
Go on and tell him that you love him,
Go on and show him he's the one,
Go on and give him every sacred thing that you used to save for us,
And see if I care,
Look at the way you're tearing me apart baby,
See if I care,
Look at the tears falling in this heart baby,
Go on go on go on,
Yeah go on go on go on,
And see if I care,
I still can hear the way you whisper,
Softly in my ear,
I lay awake and I remember the way it felt to hold you near,
Go on and run your fingers through his hair,
Go on and lay by his side,
Go on and wrap him in your dark surrender,
And all your tender lies,
And see if I care,
Look at the way you're tearing me apart baby,
See if I care,
Look at the tears falling in this heart baby,
Go on go on go on,
Yeah go on go on go on,
And see if I care,
Look a the way you're tearing me apart baby,
See if I care,
Look at the tears falling in this heart baby,
Go on go on go on,
Yeah go on go on go on,
Well go on,
And see if I care
See if I care
See if I care
See if I care
I saw him walking by your side,
I saw the way he stopped and held you tight,
I saw the look in your eyes,
Go on and tell him that you love him,
Go on and show him he's the one,
Go on and give him every sacred thing that you used to save for us,
And see if I care,
Look at the way you're tearing me apart baby,
See if I care,
Look at the tears falling in this heart baby,
Go on go on go on,
Yeah go on go on go on,
And see if I care,
I still can hear the way you whisper,
Softly in my ear,
I lay awake and I remember the way it felt to hold you near,
Go on and run your fingers through his hair,
Go on and lay by his side,
Go on and wrap him in your dark surrender,
And all your tender lies,
And see if I care,
Look at the way you're tearing me apart baby,
See if I care,
Look at the tears falling in this heart baby,
Go on go on go on,
Yeah go on go on go on,
And see if I care,
Look a the way you're tearing me apart baby,
See if I care,
Look at the tears falling in this heart baby,
Go on go on go on,
Yeah go on go on go on,
Well go on,
And see if I care
See if I care
See if I care
See if I care
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
this song is pretty obvious. it's about a relationship that ended...and how the guy can't get over the girl, even though she has moved on and found another guy. the ex boyfriend is trying to pretend that he does not care, however, we see that he is torn up over the situation. good song, and catchy chorus.
Its like the only 'country' song i've ever liked. Its so sad, I cry everytime I hear it. The other night my cousin and I were listening to it on the way home from the mall and we were just crying. We put it on repeat and didnt turn it down until we got home.
were so pathetic.
Must be the best song in the album. I love how ironic it is when he's saying "See if I care," as if he doesn't care, but the way he sings it shows the exact opposite.