"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.
She's got it all figured out
She knows what everything's about
And when anybody doubts her
Or sings songs without her
She's just so mmm
She knows the world is just her stage
And so she'll never misbehave
She gives thanks for what they gave her
Man, they practically made her
Into a mmm
She's the one that stumbles when she talks about
The seven foreign films that she's checked out
Such a fortunate fool
She's just too good to be true
She's such a fortunate fool
She's just so mmm
She's got it all figured out
She knows what everything's about
And when anybody doubts her
Or sings songs about her
She's just so mmm
She's the one that stumbles when she talks about it
So maybe we shouldn't talk about
Such a fortunate fool
She's just too good to be true
She's such a fortunate fool
She's just so mmm
She knows what everything's about
And when anybody doubts her
Or sings songs without her
She's just so mmm
She knows the world is just her stage
And so she'll never misbehave
She gives thanks for what they gave her
Man, they practically made her
Into a mmm
She's the one that stumbles when she talks about
The seven foreign films that she's checked out
Such a fortunate fool
She's just too good to be true
She's such a fortunate fool
She's just so mmm
She's got it all figured out
She knows what everything's about
And when anybody doubts her
Or sings songs about her
She's just so mmm
She's the one that stumbles when she talks about it
So maybe we shouldn't talk about
Such a fortunate fool
She's just too good to be true
She's such a fortunate fool
She's just so mmm
Lyrics submitted by sacrifice_for_life1
Fortunate Fool Lyrics as written by Jack Hody Johnson
Lyrics © Bubble Toes Publishing, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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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For every comment I read that calls this a love song, I want to cringe. I'm pretty sure that the feeling behind the line "she's just too good to be true" is FAR from being admiration. This song sounds exasperated and vaguely condescending, and the subject of the song is not described with love - she's described with contempt. The line "She's the one that stumbles when she talks about / The seven foreign films that she's checked out," especially, strikes me as him calling this girl out on her phoniness. The girl sounds like she's trying to appear to be more cultured and intelligent than she really is, and it's not working.
ANYWAYS. Just wanted to say that it's far from a love song. I think too many people are hearing the "mmm"s and mistaking them for lovestruck speechlessness. Also, didn't the fact that he's calling her a fool make it obvious that he's not admiring her?
@applecrunch I think it is clearly a love song . Listen to how he says "mmmm."<br /> <br /> That's not a questioning mmm, it's a desiring moment.<br /> <br /> Don't you find the little flaws in someone you love or crush to be adorable?<br /> <br /> If I heard my wife stumbling over titles of foreign films I would find it endearing and melt a little. <br /> <br />
This song really confuses me. I tried to figure it out, but it is just so wierd. I mean, what exactly is a fortunate fool? I was thinking maybe she is just a lucky fool. She's not the smartest girl, but things work out for her. I don't know...just a guess. Does anyone else think something different?
i disagree with afipunk84. i think jack thinks this girl is close to perfect. she has everything going for her. the thing is, anybody who is completely happy, as this girl seems, has to be somewhat of a fool. if you've ever read The Great Gatsby, an extremely similar line is written, where Daisy says something like, "if i have a baby girl i just hope she is a fool." An intelligent person is not completely happy because if you are so aware of everything going on in your life and others', it is just so depressing. This "fortunate fool" seems like a happy person, and therefore may not truly be aware of the world, hence, the referral to being a fool.
luv the song
ah yes, i agree with meggymac.. not knowing the correct word to describe her.. she's undescribable...
what exactly does he mean by fortunate fool? Before I read the lyrics, I just thought this song was about how she was lucky.. :shrug: anybody have better ideas?
1st i wanna say that this song rocks and that i really dig the guitar in it, awesome..now for wat i think this song means: i think this song is rather sarcastic..like when he says "shes got it all figured out" and "she knows wat everythings about" then he calls her a fool which is contradicting right?..well i think he means that SHE thinks shes smart but in reality she doesnt really no about any of the things she talks about..and others are too blinded by her beauty or fame too realize how much of a fool she really is..so theres my take on it..i dont think its a love song at all..just jack talkin about a girl that trys to be somethin shes not and makes herself look like a fool
also: jack johnson is obviously a genius. maybe just everybody else alive is foolish because we can't compare to him.
I agree with kmb13...you can not compare anyone to Jack Johnson
Thyis song definitely has a sarcastic tone to it. Jack Johnson is not describing a girl that he loves, rather he's talking about someone who feigns intelligence (she's the one who stumble's when she talks about the seven foreign films she's checked out) and maintains popularity, but is, in reality, a bit foolish. It's almost as though she's lucky that nobody discovers her foolishness, thus the title, "Fortunate Fool."
Great Song. Reminds me of my ex-girlfriend a lot.
i love this song! my boyfriend sang this to me. Ive been in live every since! its so sweet, he cant think of the perfect words to describe her!