"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.
Remember when you ran away and I got on my knees and begged you not to leave because I'd go berzerk?
Well, you left me anyhow and the days got worse and worse and now you see I've gone completely out of my mind.
And They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho, he he, ha ha
to the funny farm where life is beautiful all the time, and I'll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats
and they're coming to take me away ha ha!
You thought it was joke and so you laughed, you laughed when I had said that losing you would make me flip my lid, right?
You know you laughed, I heard you laugh, you laughed, you laughed and laughed and then you left, but now you know I'm utterly mad.
And they're coming to take me away, Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho, he he, ha ha
To the happy home with trees and flowers and chirping birds and basket weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes
They're coming to take me away ha ha...
I cooked your food, I cleaned your house, and this is how you paid me back for all my kind unselfish loving deeds. Huh?
Well you just wait they'll find you yet, and when they do they'll put you in the ASPCA you mangy mutt.
And They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho, he he, ha ha
To the funny farm where life is beautiful all the time and I'll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats
They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
And They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho, he he, ha ha
To the happy home with trees and flowers and chirping birds and basket weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes
And they're coming to take me away Ha Ha
Your home the one the bank foreclosed, You cried to me Monogamy's the way we both must live or you'll feel hurt.
But, I see, I see there's someone new, your anxious poly-pure-bred coat was gone even at our place while I paid the rent? Thanks!
They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho he he ha ha
To the loony bin with all you can eat prescription drugs like Thorazine, and Lithium, and electroshock treatments
And they're coming to take me away Ha Ha!
And They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho, he he, ha ha
And They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho, he he, ha ha
And They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho, he he, ha ha
To the funny farm where life is beautiful all the time and I'll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats
They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
To the happy home with trees and flowers and chirping birds and basket weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes
They're coming to take me away ha ha...
To the loony bin with all you can eat prescription drugs like Thorazine, and Lithium, and electroshock treatments
And they're coming to take me away Ha Ha!
Away! Ha, ha!
Away! Away! Away!
Well, you left me anyhow and the days got worse and worse and now you see I've gone completely out of my mind.
And They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho, he he, ha ha
to the funny farm where life is beautiful all the time, and I'll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats
and they're coming to take me away ha ha!
You thought it was joke and so you laughed, you laughed when I had said that losing you would make me flip my lid, right?
You know you laughed, I heard you laugh, you laughed, you laughed and laughed and then you left, but now you know I'm utterly mad.
And they're coming to take me away, Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho, he he, ha ha
To the happy home with trees and flowers and chirping birds and basket weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes
They're coming to take me away ha ha...
I cooked your food, I cleaned your house, and this is how you paid me back for all my kind unselfish loving deeds. Huh?
Well you just wait they'll find you yet, and when they do they'll put you in the ASPCA you mangy mutt.
And They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho, he he, ha ha
To the funny farm where life is beautiful all the time and I'll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats
They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
And They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho, he he, ha ha
To the happy home with trees and flowers and chirping birds and basket weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes
And they're coming to take me away Ha Ha
Your home the one the bank foreclosed, You cried to me Monogamy's the way we both must live or you'll feel hurt.
But, I see, I see there's someone new, your anxious poly-pure-bred coat was gone even at our place while I paid the rent? Thanks!
They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho he he ha ha
To the loony bin with all you can eat prescription drugs like Thorazine, and Lithium, and electroshock treatments
And they're coming to take me away Ha Ha!
And They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho, he he, ha ha
And They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho, he he, ha ha
And They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
They're coming to take me away ho ho, he he, ha ha
To the funny farm where life is beautiful all the time and I'll be happy to see those nice young men in their clean white coats
They're coming to take me away Ha Ha
To the happy home with trees and flowers and chirping birds and basket weavers who sit and smile and twiddle their thumbs and toes
They're coming to take me away ha ha...
To the loony bin with all you can eat prescription drugs like Thorazine, and Lithium, and electroshock treatments
And they're coming to take me away Ha Ha!
Away! Ha, ha!
Away! Away! Away!
Lyrics submitted by shadowwiththeeyes
They're Coming to Take Me Away Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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.
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.
Napoleon XIV
Napoleon XIV cover dawg
I like Neuroticfish's version better
I agree with Phyxius
I don't know any cover versions of this song. I do know the original Napoleon XIV version, though. It's most likely about the guy's girlfriend (or maybe even wife), and she's left him. Apparently, he loved her so much that he went mad because she left. Apparently this madness is the reason they're coming to take him away. There's two other songs, "I'm Glad That They Took You Away, Ha-ha!" and "They're Coming to Get Me Again, Ha-ha!" You can find them on YouTube.