"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'm now improved.
Got my drift back.
That makes your... Makes your heart attack.
For what it's worth I could break you.
I'd still make you want this back.
At once you were the one that I threw my dependance on.
There's nothing wrong with it so wipe your tears and take it off.
Can you bleed?
Can you breathe?
You used to know everything.
Fake, fake the words I wrote down.
Break, break the boy you couldn't see because he's not searching for your sympathy.
The way your voice sounds... Promises made to me.
So take these words and drink alone tonight.
You haven't called him since September.
So predictable.
The truth is penathol has finally got the best of you.
You want a gang fight, but while your boozing I hope your cruising.
This is a new revolution, white faced and under attack.
A struggle for revival, the smoke didn't flow to my back.
What is this content, his opinion.
You'll never take me alive, you'll never win.
So hope for a slow death.
Your hand shakes; you know you're next.
Look what you did to yourself.
Lies, lies you've all been sold.
Starstruck, you take that road.
Because all your feelings took the best of me.
Got my drift back.
That makes your... Makes your heart attack.
For what it's worth I could break you.
I'd still make you want this back.
At once you were the one that I threw my dependance on.
There's nothing wrong with it so wipe your tears and take it off.
Can you bleed?
Can you breathe?
You used to know everything.
Fake, fake the words I wrote down.
Break, break the boy you couldn't see because he's not searching for your sympathy.
The way your voice sounds... Promises made to me.
So take these words and drink alone tonight.
You haven't called him since September.
So predictable.
The truth is penathol has finally got the best of you.
You want a gang fight, but while your boozing I hope your cruising.
This is a new revolution, white faced and under attack.
A struggle for revival, the smoke didn't flow to my back.
What is this content, his opinion.
You'll never take me alive, you'll never win.
So hope for a slow death.
Your hand shakes; you know you're next.
Look what you did to yourself.
Lies, lies you've all been sold.
Starstruck, you take that road.
Because all your feelings took the best of me.
Lyrics submitted by heartattack
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.
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,
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.
I like the part where Buddy comes in with and its only drumming... kick ass.