"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 peel back the staples
I’m leaving a space where your frame used to hang
I’m leaving holes in the wall and holes in my heart
now let’s begin at forgetting and we’ll end at forgotten
I’ll be forgotten as soon as you let go...let go
seeing you today was like losing you all over again
I know I said I wouldn’t ask but does it have to be this way?
empty the locket and throw it beneath the bed
along with the things you wish you could forget
I swear I’m under there somewhere
now let’s begin at forgetting and end at forgotten
I’ll be forgotten as soon as you let go...let go
I’ll forget just to stay alive
and God’s plan winds but his faithfulness is at every bend
and straightaway to get away from reality
reality without you
I’m leaving a space where your frame used to hang
I’m leaving holes in the wall and holes in my heart
now let’s begin at forgetting and we’ll end at forgotten
I’ll be forgotten as soon as you let go...let go
seeing you today was like losing you all over again
I know I said I wouldn’t ask but does it have to be this way?
empty the locket and throw it beneath the bed
along with the things you wish you could forget
I swear I’m under there somewhere
now let’s begin at forgetting and end at forgotten
I’ll be forgotten as soon as you let go...let go
I’ll forget just to stay alive
and God’s plan winds but his faithfulness is at every bend
and straightaway to get away from reality
reality without you
Lyrics submitted by punkrockchick217
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
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.
does anyone have this song i can get from them ? i can't find it anywhere. thanks.
i have it. but you posted that like a year ago sooo yeah
and God’s plan winds but his faithfulness is at every bend and straightaway to get away from reality
i like that but im not sure i totally get the end part God will always be there for you... even in the bad times [bends] and good [strightaways] but the reality part?
The reality part makes sense to me. Adjusting to life without her because before his reality was very much about and with her. God is helping him reach that. It's hard to accept something like that that flips your world upside down.