"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.
What's the matter with me
I don't have much to say
Daylight sneakin' through the window
I'm still in this all-night cafe
Walkin' to and fro beneath the moon
Where the trucks are rollin' slow
Sit on this bank of sand
And watch the river flow
Wish I was back in the city
In my true love's arms
She like older men
They can't resist her charms
If I had wings and I could fly
I know where I would go
Right now I'll sit right here
Watch the river flow
People disappearing everywhere you look
Don't know where to draw the line
Only yesterday I seen somebody
Who was really in a bind
Oh, this ol' river keeps on rollin', though
Where it stop and where the wind might blow
I'll sit right here
And watch the river flow
People disappearing everywhere you look
Ever stop and wonder why
Only yesterday I seen somebody to say goodbye
This ol' river, keeps on rollin', though
Where it stop and where the wind might blow
I'll sit right here
And watch the river flow
I don't have much to say
Daylight sneakin' through the window
I'm still in this all-night cafe
Walkin' to and fro beneath the moon
Where the trucks are rollin' slow
Sit on this bank of sand
And watch the river flow
Wish I was back in the city
In my true love's arms
She like older men
They can't resist her charms
If I had wings and I could fly
I know where I would go
Right now I'll sit right here
Watch the river flow
People disappearing everywhere you look
Don't know where to draw the line
Only yesterday I seen somebody
Who was really in a bind
Oh, this ol' river keeps on rollin', though
Where it stop and where the wind might blow
I'll sit right here
And watch the river flow
People disappearing everywhere you look
Ever stop and wonder why
Only yesterday I seen somebody to say goodbye
This ol' river, keeps on rollin', though
Where it stop and where the wind might blow
I'll sit right here
And watch the river flow
Lyrics submitted by SexieSadie
Watching the River Flow Lyrics as written by Bob Dylan
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
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.
About escaping from the rigours of everyday life.
A good bluesy song well sung by Dylan (when he could still sing properly) with the accompaniment of quality musicians. Covered successfully by Aussie band Stars in the early '80's.
@chrisb1 Here's the scoop on that accompaniment! This tune (along with "When I Paint My Masterpiece") was produced by Leon Russell, with Leon playing the piano.<br /> <br /> I had a work buddy in my old corporate job who went to high school with Leon, in Tulsa OK. Amazingly, he wasn't aware of the fact that Leon has quite infiltrated the "beautiful people" coterie in the '60s. So we had a sort of running joke going: Whenever I'd encounter him in the hallways, I'd buttonhole him and say, "Ron: Leon Russell?... was HOT." Then we'd both have a laugh. But... it was true. He's a true artist, who made a good name for himself at a rollicking time in American pop history. If you don't know about him, check him out. He probably made half his bundle selling his fine tunes to others to cover.