"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 think about you all the time
But even though I don't talk to you
That doesn't even mean that we are through
I, see you as paradigm
of a life that seems so amused
by all the things that I refuse
I, think ur walkin' on broken glass
and I hope ur not going down fast
That all seemed so real to me
Cause I was living in my own fantasy
Ur running after a grand mistake
Ur headed for the real heartache
And then you tell me that you think I'm wrong
[Chorus]
Hey, don't ever bring me back
To where I used to be
Cause now I feel so fine and I feel so Peachy
Hey, don't ever bring me back
To where I used to be
Cause now I feel so fine and I feel so Peachy
Friend, can't you see I'm trying to help you out
But ur mind is stuck on things that leave you adrift with broken wings
You, wanna talk about God Philosophy
I don't think there's anything wrong
I've got time, in fact lifelong
I, think ur walkin' on broken glass
and I hope ur not going down fast
And then you tell me that you think I'm wrong
[Chorus]
Hey, don't ever bring me back
To where I used to be
Cause now I feel so fine and I feel so Peachy
Hey, don't ever bring me back
To where I used to be
Cause now I feel so fine and I feel so Peachy
Don't bring me down
Cause I don't have time for that anymore
[Chorus x2]
But even though I don't talk to you
That doesn't even mean that we are through
I, see you as paradigm
of a life that seems so amused
by all the things that I refuse
I, think ur walkin' on broken glass
and I hope ur not going down fast
That all seemed so real to me
Cause I was living in my own fantasy
Ur running after a grand mistake
Ur headed for the real heartache
And then you tell me that you think I'm wrong
[Chorus]
Hey, don't ever bring me back
To where I used to be
Cause now I feel so fine and I feel so Peachy
Hey, don't ever bring me back
To where I used to be
Cause now I feel so fine and I feel so Peachy
Friend, can't you see I'm trying to help you out
But ur mind is stuck on things that leave you adrift with broken wings
You, wanna talk about God Philosophy
I don't think there's anything wrong
I've got time, in fact lifelong
I, think ur walkin' on broken glass
and I hope ur not going down fast
And then you tell me that you think I'm wrong
[Chorus]
Hey, don't ever bring me back
To where I used to be
Cause now I feel so fine and I feel so Peachy
Hey, don't ever bring me back
To where I used to be
Cause now I feel so fine and I feel so Peachy
Don't bring me down
Cause I don't have time for that anymore
[Chorus x2]
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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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
It's about talking to an atheist. "Hey, don't ever bring me back/To where I used to be/Cause now I feel so fine and I feel so peachy" talks about how no matter how much the person he's talking to believes he's wrong, he doesn't want to go back to where he was before he found Jesus. "Friend, can't you see I'm trying to help you out/But ur mind is stuck on things that leave you adrift with broken wings" talks about the situation of the atheist. All the lead singer wants to do is help him out, because the path he's on now leads him astray.