"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 would have Done It Anyway!
We're gonna free you all
And make you one of us (Bullshit!)
We're gonna find everyone
And make them pay for this (Bullshit!)
Go ahead, have some more
It won't hurt you! (Bullshit!)
I know that it hurt before
But I swear this time it won't
Even (Knowing) what I (Know now)
I would have Done It Anyway!
Black and (Blue and) red from (You still)
I would have Done It Anyway!
Even knowing what I know now
I would have Done It Anyway!
Black and blue and red from you still
I would have Done It Anyway!
If you close your eyes
It will all go away (Bullshit!)
Keep your head up, man
Tomorrow's a better day! (Bullshit!)
Bad things never happen
To good people (Bullshit!)
We treat everyone here
Like they were an equal
Even (Knowing) what I (Know now)
I would have Done It Anyway!
Black and (Blue and) red from (You still)
I would have Done It Anyway!
Even knowing what I know now
I would have Done It Anyway!
Black and blue and red from you still
I would have Done It Anyway!
I would have Done It Anyway! (3×)
I would have Done It!
We'll do better next time
If you give another chance! (Bullshit!)
I understand you now
And I know exactly what you want! (Bullshit!)
Try this for now
You'll like it just as much! (Bullshit!)
Do everything we say
And we won't leave you fucked!
I would have Done It Anyway!
Even (Knowing) what I (Know now)
I would have Done It Anyway!
Black and (Blue and) red from (You still)
I would have Done It Anyway!
Even knowing what I know now
I would have Done It Anyway!
Black and blue and red from you still
I would have Done It Anyway!
We're gonna free you all
And make you one of us (Bullshit!)
We're gonna find everyone
And make them pay for this (Bullshit!)
Go ahead, have some more
It won't hurt you! (Bullshit!)
I know that it hurt before
But I swear this time it won't
Even (Knowing) what I (Know now)
I would have Done It Anyway!
Black and (Blue and) red from (You still)
I would have Done It Anyway!
Even knowing what I know now
I would have Done It Anyway!
Black and blue and red from you still
I would have Done It Anyway!
If you close your eyes
It will all go away (Bullshit!)
Keep your head up, man
Tomorrow's a better day! (Bullshit!)
Bad things never happen
To good people (Bullshit!)
We treat everyone here
Like they were an equal
Even (Knowing) what I (Know now)
I would have Done It Anyway!
Black and (Blue and) red from (You still)
I would have Done It Anyway!
Even knowing what I know now
I would have Done It Anyway!
Black and blue and red from you still
I would have Done It Anyway!
I would have Done It Anyway! (3×)
I would have Done It!
We'll do better next time
If you give another chance! (Bullshit!)
I understand you now
And I know exactly what you want! (Bullshit!)
Try this for now
You'll like it just as much! (Bullshit!)
Do everything we say
And we won't leave you fucked!
I would have Done It Anyway!
Even (Knowing) what I (Know now)
I would have Done It Anyway!
Black and (Blue and) red from (You still)
I would have Done It Anyway!
Even knowing what I know now
I would have Done It Anyway!
Black and blue and red from you still
I would have Done It Anyway!
Lyrics submitted by judaskissidismiss, edited by MetalheadMike
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Bee Gees
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@[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.
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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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I guess he's saying he's bruised and bleeding (black & blue & red) from the way people treat him, and whatever it is he's "done," he would have done it even if he knew the things people told him were lies.
As in, he's done something in retaliation to the words of comfort people give him, but now he realizes they were lies; he still would have done it.