"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.
Big salty tears
Are what I tasted
As I drove
Past your house tonight
And now they're resting
On my burger
As I start to fry
Big salty tears
Here in line
Even those young fresh fellows
They don't sound too good tonight
And all those break lights
That are in front of me
They leave a watery red design
I'm at the age when I realize
The liquor store won't bring you back
I must be getting old
I'm at the drive thru
And I'm making my face
More fat fat fat fat fat
A big salty tears
I'm at the age where I realize
Nothing actually
Just do what I'm supposed to do
Two Seventeen
First window please
A big salty tears
Are what I tasted
As I drove
Past your house tonight
And now they're resting
On my burger
As I start to fry
Big salty tears
Here in line
Even those young fresh fellows
They don't sound too good tonight
And all those break lights
That are in front of me
They leave a watery red design
I'm at the age when I realize
The liquor store won't bring you back
I must be getting old
I'm at the drive thru
And I'm making my face
More fat fat fat fat fat
A big salty tears
I'm at the age where I realize
Nothing actually
Just do what I'm supposed to do
Two Seventeen
First window please
A big salty tears
Lyrics submitted by Ralphio
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
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.
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.
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 ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS SONG. I first heard it from Sublime, but then got the original. Both are just fantastic.
I love this song, although it's quite depressing. I think the meaning is pretty obvious.
He drove past someones house (most likely an ex-lover's) and it brought back unpleasant memories and he is upset, so he decides to go and get food and sort of eat away his feelings. He uses food as comfort for his sadness/lonliness and he feels sorry for himself for doing so. I'm sure the meaning goes beyond that too, but there's the gist of it. It's sort of about growing up.
Yeah its an unknown classic for most people, catchy song as with every ziggen song.....does anyone know what pistol pete was written about?
This is one of the best Ziggens songs. Of course, I also first heard this from Bradley's acoustic album, but I now have most of the Ziggens' albums and I love their music. They're very tongue-in-cheek and are very funny and also great musicians. And their live album is amazing. Check out their other songs, their other albums. Their Greatest Zits album would probably be a good start.
Pistol Pete is about Pete Maravich.