"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.
You see it - I'm in it
One man freak show
Walk by me - Excite me
Moving real slow
Can't accept it, a comical parade
Can't accept it, part of the charade
Just hangin' by a thin thread
On borrowed time, think you've got it
The same habits, sure you won't mind
Can't accept it, a comical parade
Can't accept it, part of the charade
You think I don't know
What you're thinking
With my outreached hand
Yeah you think
You're the better man
The look in your eyes
What do you care
Look at all us freaks
Cluttering your city streets
You don't know me
Nor my history
What brought me here
Walk right past me
And avoid me
Drag I'm even there
Can't accept it, it doesn't have to be
Can't accept it, don't want your sympathy
Was tired
Of the fast pace
The direction
Then I landed
Right on my face
Poor perception
Can't accept it, the comical charade
Can't accept it, badly written play
You think I don't know
What you're thinking
Yeah I might look weak
But I'm right where I wanna be
Got my piece of the wall
Got my corner
I don't want bi nire
I'm right where I wanna be
Can't accept this
Your comical parade
Can't accept this
Oh the sweet charade
I know you are thinking
The same thing
Waking everyday
Know the character you play
I left mine
With complete abandon
Don't regret it none
Left my wife
Daughter and my Son
You think I don't know
What you're thinking
With my outreached hands
Do away
With this retched man
The look in your eyes
What do you care
Look at all us freaks
Cluttering
Your city streets
One man freak show
Walk by me - Excite me
Moving real slow
Can't accept it, a comical parade
Can't accept it, part of the charade
Just hangin' by a thin thread
On borrowed time, think you've got it
The same habits, sure you won't mind
Can't accept it, a comical parade
Can't accept it, part of the charade
You think I don't know
What you're thinking
With my outreached hand
Yeah you think
You're the better man
The look in your eyes
What do you care
Look at all us freaks
Cluttering your city streets
You don't know me
Nor my history
What brought me here
Walk right past me
And avoid me
Drag I'm even there
Can't accept it, it doesn't have to be
Can't accept it, don't want your sympathy
Was tired
Of the fast pace
The direction
Then I landed
Right on my face
Poor perception
Can't accept it, the comical charade
Can't accept it, badly written play
You think I don't know
What you're thinking
Yeah I might look weak
But I'm right where I wanna be
Got my piece of the wall
Got my corner
I don't want bi nire
I'm right where I wanna be
Can't accept this
Your comical parade
Can't accept this
Oh the sweet charade
I know you are thinking
The same thing
Waking everyday
Know the character you play
I left mine
With complete abandon
Don't regret it none
Left my wife
Daughter and my Son
You think I don't know
What you're thinking
With my outreached hands
Do away
With this retched man
The look in your eyes
What do you care
Look at all us freaks
Cluttering
Your city streets
Lyrics submitted by Metropolis
Freak Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
My brother told me that James LaBrie did in fact, leave his wife daughter and son. Don't know if it's true, but pretty heavy stuff...