"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.
Dimmed down bed room lights
better stay quiet, everyone's tired
my minds forgetting mother's advice
to never play with knives
and alcohol
it's sad I'm everything to her
but too me I'm nothing at all
swallow it, take it down, drown out this town
and the sound of nothing
that seems so loud to ears waiting
ready to hear a new sound
and eyes that are blinded to all outside lights
maybe i'm forgetting to tell myself that these nightmares can come real
maybe it's nothing
maybe I forget to tell myself that...
if dreams come true then nightmares can too
and this monster that eats at my brain and my heart and arms called growing up
swallow it take it down drown out this town
and the sound of nothing
that seems so loud to ears waiting
ready to hear a new sound
and eyes that are blinded to all outside lights
this state is a hand me down sweater sown in shit
that I've grown out of and don't want to deal with
but I don't think there's an escape
every city is the same city with a different name
but I would never kill myself
because even now heaven so closely resembles hell
through just another window
in a house on the side of
a street that leads to nothing
only circles around it's self I wait so
impatiently for change to save me from
this grave I dig myself every night
take my mind away and say that 'everything will be ok'
give it back to me, everything will never be the same
self destruct..
everything will never 'be ok'
better stay quiet, everyone's tired
my minds forgetting mother's advice
to never play with knives
and alcohol
it's sad I'm everything to her
but too me I'm nothing at all
swallow it, take it down, drown out this town
and the sound of nothing
that seems so loud to ears waiting
ready to hear a new sound
and eyes that are blinded to all outside lights
maybe i'm forgetting to tell myself that these nightmares can come real
maybe it's nothing
maybe I forget to tell myself that...
if dreams come true then nightmares can too
and this monster that eats at my brain and my heart and arms called growing up
swallow it take it down drown out this town
and the sound of nothing
that seems so loud to ears waiting
ready to hear a new sound
and eyes that are blinded to all outside lights
this state is a hand me down sweater sown in shit
that I've grown out of and don't want to deal with
but I don't think there's an escape
every city is the same city with a different name
but I would never kill myself
because even now heaven so closely resembles hell
through just another window
in a house on the side of
a street that leads to nothing
only circles around it's self I wait so
impatiently for change to save me from
this grave I dig myself every night
take my mind away and say that 'everything will be ok'
give it back to me, everything will never be the same
self destruct..
everything will never 'be ok'
Lyrics submitted by kinci
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.
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”
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[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.
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.
So does like no one know about Ambry or what?? This song is about taking drugs to drown out the rest of his life.
It is a very intense song.
Basically, the person thinks there is no other way out, and life sucks and always will suck. He thinks that nothing will every be okay. It's not about taking their life, it states in their that "but I would never kill myself"
Good song.