"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.
20 long years ridin' somebody's coattails
Watch the vermin go by through a heavy coat of chain mail
So ya wanna change the world out ya still can't decide
They can take away the cash out a fool's got his pride
Everyone must kneel before the man
The leader of the band
Trapped in Toyland
20 odd years since you heard "Revolution"
Feeding your fears with psychological pollution
Everybody in the world tryin' to take you for a ride
So you get behind the wheel just to realize you're blind
Sycophants associates 'n press men
Read the upper hand
Trapped in Toyland
Well it seems like years since anybody knew your name
And you're browin' in your tears out it's all just the same
And it seems such a waste for a man with such pride
But it's obvious reality is eatin' at you insides
Sycophants associates n' press men
Read the upper hand
Trapped in Toyland
Everyone must kneel before the man
The leader of the band
Trapped in Toyland
Where Do I Fit In?
Don't you color me by the way you paint your pictures
I'm happy just the way I am
It's been soaked into my bones, a child under pressure
I'm a bastard of the master plan
I wanna live my life
Don't wanna live a lie
I hear freedom ringin'
Everyone's got a place
But where do I fit in
Don't go sellin' me a dream you can't deliver
Like a dog in a cat suit, it's a poor disguise
Strange little angels a parade of saints and sinners
Greetings from the other side
I wanna live my life
Don't wanna live a lie
I hear freedom ringin'
Everyone's got a place
But where do I fit in
I was walking on glass from thousand broken mirrors
Saw my reflection stare me down
I tried to run, I was going through the motions
I got my feet on solid ground
I wanna live by life
Don't wanna live a lie
I hear freedom ringin'
I wasn't the same as you baby
But take a walk in my shoes
I hear freedom ringin'
Everyone's got a place
But where do I fit in
Watch the vermin go by through a heavy coat of chain mail
So ya wanna change the world out ya still can't decide
They can take away the cash out a fool's got his pride
Everyone must kneel before the man
The leader of the band
Trapped in Toyland
20 odd years since you heard "Revolution"
Feeding your fears with psychological pollution
Everybody in the world tryin' to take you for a ride
So you get behind the wheel just to realize you're blind
Sycophants associates 'n press men
Read the upper hand
Trapped in Toyland
Well it seems like years since anybody knew your name
And you're browin' in your tears out it's all just the same
And it seems such a waste for a man with such pride
But it's obvious reality is eatin' at you insides
Sycophants associates n' press men
Read the upper hand
Trapped in Toyland
Everyone must kneel before the man
The leader of the band
Trapped in Toyland
Where Do I Fit In?
Don't you color me by the way you paint your pictures
I'm happy just the way I am
It's been soaked into my bones, a child under pressure
I'm a bastard of the master plan
I wanna live my life
Don't wanna live a lie
I hear freedom ringin'
Everyone's got a place
But where do I fit in
Don't go sellin' me a dream you can't deliver
Like a dog in a cat suit, it's a poor disguise
Strange little angels a parade of saints and sinners
Greetings from the other side
I wanna live my life
Don't wanna live a lie
I hear freedom ringin'
Everyone's got a place
But where do I fit in
I was walking on glass from thousand broken mirrors
Saw my reflection stare me down
I tried to run, I was going through the motions
I got my feet on solid ground
I wanna live by life
Don't wanna live a lie
I hear freedom ringin'
I wasn't the same as you baby
But take a walk in my shoes
I hear freedom ringin'
Everyone's got a place
But where do I fit in
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
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.
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.
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.