"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.
I can't touch the clouds for you, I'll never reach the sun for you
I've never done the things that you need done for you
I've stretched as high as I can reach, I guess I'm not the one for you
'Cause I can't touch the clouds or reach the sun for you
No I can't reach the clouds or touch the sun
I can't turn back time for you, and make you sweet sixteen again
I can't turn your barren fields to green again
And I won't sit around and talk of how things might have been again
No I can't turn back time and make you young again
I can't turn back time and make you young
I hope you find somebody who can do the things I didn't do
And find the road I didn't find, and build a brighter world for you
I hope you find somebody old enough to reach and take a hold
And guide your ever changing mind, and free your ever risin' soul
But I can't, No I can't
I can't look inside your mind, and see the things you're hopin' for
And I can't help you chase the dream you're gropin' for
You see your arms are open wide, but Lord knows who they're open for
No I can't know your mind or chase your dreams with you
No I can't chase your dreams or know your mind
So say goodbye and don't look back, I've had some happy days with you
Sorry I can't be the one who stays with you
And when they ask about me, you can say I was the one with you
Who never touched the clouds or reached the sun with you
No I can't reach the clouds or touch the sun
I guess it's done, I can't touch the sun for you, ooh, ooh, ooh
I can't touch the sun, I can't no I can't, ooh, no, ooh, no
I can't touch the sun, no lord, no, hmm, hmm
I've never done the things that you need done for you
I've stretched as high as I can reach, I guess I'm not the one for you
'Cause I can't touch the clouds or reach the sun for you
No I can't reach the clouds or touch the sun
I can't turn back time for you, and make you sweet sixteen again
I can't turn your barren fields to green again
And I won't sit around and talk of how things might have been again
No I can't turn back time and make you young again
I can't turn back time and make you young
I hope you find somebody who can do the things I didn't do
And find the road I didn't find, and build a brighter world for you
I hope you find somebody old enough to reach and take a hold
And guide your ever changing mind, and free your ever risin' soul
But I can't, No I can't
I can't look inside your mind, and see the things you're hopin' for
And I can't help you chase the dream you're gropin' for
You see your arms are open wide, but Lord knows who they're open for
No I can't know your mind or chase your dreams with you
No I can't chase your dreams or know your mind
So say goodbye and don't look back, I've had some happy days with you
Sorry I can't be the one who stays with you
And when they ask about me, you can say I was the one with you
Who never touched the clouds or reached the sun with you
No I can't reach the clouds or touch the sun
I guess it's done, I can't touch the sun for you, ooh, ooh, ooh
I can't touch the sun, I can't no I can't, ooh, no, ooh, no
I can't touch the sun, no lord, no, hmm, hmm
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
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”
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/
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Such a nice song. Very sad though. :(