"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.
Been searching for some answers
To the questions I should know
There's an angel up above me
And another down below
They offer me the world
But I don't exactly know
If these visions here they come to me
To stay or finally go
And I'm caught between two angels and a dream
One is pulling at my heart while the other rips the scenes
Caught between two angels and a dream
And I don't know where to go
That's a vision of a kingdom
And its twice is black as night
They're no brighter than the sun
With growing rays of light
And somewhere in between
Is the place that I ignore
My decision last and win
And to where I want to go
And I'm caught between two angels and a dream
One is pulling at my heart while the other rips the scenes
Caught between two angels and a dream
And I don't know where to go
I've got to find
Find the answers
I've got to find
My equilibrium
I've got to dream
Within the balance
I've got to keep
My equilibrium
Between the black and white
Between what's wrong and what's right
It's where I feel myself fall upon
Between you and me
Between what's cash and what's free
And I found where I belong
And I'm caught between two angels and a dream
One is pulling at my heart while the other rips the scenes
These eyes have shown no future to be seen
Then to throw it all away for something in between
To the questions I should know
There's an angel up above me
And another down below
They offer me the world
But I don't exactly know
If these visions here they come to me
To stay or finally go
And I'm caught between two angels and a dream
One is pulling at my heart while the other rips the scenes
Caught between two angels and a dream
And I don't know where to go
That's a vision of a kingdom
And its twice is black as night
They're no brighter than the sun
With growing rays of light
And somewhere in between
Is the place that I ignore
My decision last and win
And to where I want to go
And I'm caught between two angels and a dream
One is pulling at my heart while the other rips the scenes
Caught between two angels and a dream
And I don't know where to go
I've got to find
Find the answers
I've got to find
My equilibrium
I've got to dream
Within the balance
I've got to keep
My equilibrium
Between the black and white
Between what's wrong and what's right
It's where I feel myself fall upon
Between you and me
Between what's cash and what's free
And I found where I belong
And I'm caught between two angels and a dream
One is pulling at my heart while the other rips the scenes
These eyes have shown no future to be seen
Then to throw it all away for something in between
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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.
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
I can't believe no one but you wrote on this, the song really good.