"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.
It's tricky when you feel someone
Has done some sin on your behalf
It's slippery when your sense of justice
Murmurs underneath and is asking you
How am I going to make it right
How am I going to make it right
With a palm full of stars
I throw them like dice (repeatedly)
On the table (repeat, repeatedly)
I shake them like dice
And throw them on the table repeatedly (repeatedly)
Until the desired constellation appears
How am I going to make it right
How am I going to make it right
How am I going to make it right
(And did you hear how am I going to make it right)
How am I going to make it right
How am I going to make it right
(How am I going to make it right)
Has done some sin on your behalf
It's slippery when your sense of justice
Murmurs underneath and is asking you
How am I going to make it right
How am I going to make it right
With a palm full of stars
I throw them like dice (repeatedly)
On the table (repeat, repeatedly)
I shake them like dice
And throw them on the table repeatedly (repeatedly)
Until the desired constellation appears
How am I going to make it right
How am I going to make it right
How am I going to make it right
(And did you hear how am I going to make it right)
How am I going to make it right
How am I going to make it right
(How am I going to make it right)
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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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
I heard the song live, before the Internet was even showing anything about this song.
I cried. I understand totally how it feels to have someone you trust, do something they think is in your best interest, but it is actually directly against your innermost wish.
When we try to patch things up, we often turn to tarot or other divinations. I like the I Ching. It's unfortunate it was telling me for so long after the fact that there was nothing I could do about it. It takes time for healing, it takes time for growing, it takes time to mature. It even takes time to overgrow obsessiveness. Repeatedly.
That wait is the epitome of excruciating pain.
all i keep thinking about when i listen to this song is tarot cards, or astrology, hence desired constellation...or an eight ball. We keep playing this game of chance until we get what we want to see, the desired constellation. It makes you feel somehow in control..when you really aren\'t.
the first thing i noticed about this song (besides how GORGEOUS it was) was how, in the first line, she used the word "tricky." I know it may be going way out on a limb to say this, but i think it could be a reference to THE tricky (as in her ex). Yes, i'm probably looking too much into it, but she could have used another word in that paragraph...she had to know that it would evoke thoughts like mine...any thoughts?
Wow! I never thought about that! You may be right. All in all, it's such a beautiful song. Hard to imagine that the music in the background is actually Bjork's own voice! :)
this song is so stark and beautiful.
Bjork has an amazing voice! I've been listening to her since when she was in the Sugarcubes... I like this song a lot.
This song is about where you are put in a position where you have to decide, and you have basicly two little creatures on your shoulder, like in a disney movie, One good, and one bad. Its tricky to decide which to listen to.
this is an incredible song. i just love the dark loud 'silence' throughout the song. and her voice just sorta bursts in emotion. i love the lyrics. whenever i listen to it, i can relate to mistakes and problems i've caused and wondering how i am going to fix it. "how am i going to make it right?" it just sings out to my soul and makes me feel not alone.
anyone else think this song might be better as an instrumental? the music is beautiful, the "how am i going to make it right?" bits are good, but the verse lyrics and the melody are so meandering, as if bjork is making it up on the spot, and not doing a good job. i wish i could edit it out.
i cannot describe how this song makes me feel!
" the dark loud 'silence'"
i agree. it is completely terrifying and wonderful