"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.
No matter how I try I just can't get her out of my mind
And when I sleep I visualize her.
I saw her in the pub. I met her later at the night-club.
A mutual friend introduced us.
We talked about the noise
And how it's hard to hear your own voice
Above the beat and the sub-bass.
We talked and talked for hours, we talked in the back of our friend's car
As we all went back to his place.
On our friend's settee She told me that she really liked me
And I said "cool, the feeling's mutualâ??.
We played old 45's. I said "it's like the soundtrack to our livesâ??
And she said "true, it's not unusualâ??.
Then privately we danced
But couldn't seem to keep our balance,
A drunken haze had come upon us.
We sank down to the floor and we sang
A song that I can't sing any more,
And then we kissed and fell unconscious.
I woke up the next day all alone but for a headache.
I stumbled out to find the bathroom.
But all I found was her wrapped around another lover.
No longer then is he our mutual friend.
And when I sleep I visualize her.
I saw her in the pub. I met her later at the night-club.
A mutual friend introduced us.
We talked about the noise
And how it's hard to hear your own voice
Above the beat and the sub-bass.
We talked and talked for hours, we talked in the back of our friend's car
As we all went back to his place.
On our friend's settee She told me that she really liked me
And I said "cool, the feeling's mutualâ??.
We played old 45's. I said "it's like the soundtrack to our livesâ??
And she said "true, it's not unusualâ??.
Then privately we danced
But couldn't seem to keep our balance,
A drunken haze had come upon us.
We sank down to the floor and we sang
A song that I can't sing any more,
And then we kissed and fell unconscious.
I woke up the next day all alone but for a headache.
I stumbled out to find the bathroom.
But all I found was her wrapped around another lover.
No longer then is he our mutual friend.
Lyrics submitted by danohuiginn
Our Mutual Friend Lyrics as written by Neil Hannon
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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
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.
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.
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,
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
I feel like I've been in this situation, but can't remember any specific example.
However, the emotion that Neil is playing on here is of being a teen/student at a house party, a stage in life where there is more social pressure than in adult life. The narrator, in his exaggerated emotional state (not helped with alcohol) feels a stronger sentimental connection with the girl as she does. I can also empathise with the girl though, if she is a fresher at uni, then she's perhaps more open to making (or perhaps forcing) superficial friendships, but also, maybe, a bit promiscuous.
This song is more atmospheric than ethical. I think the lyrics are constructed to convey a certain adolescent feeling rather than simply tell a story. The way the instruments change for the line 'I woke up the next day' is stressful and the bass makes the anticipation uncomfortable. However, regardless of the narrator falling out with the mutual friend, I don't think that Neil is passing judgement on either the narrator, the girl or the mutual friend in this song. I think it simply is a comment on the way people behave at a certain time in their lives. This gives the song an almost nostalgic essence. The way the song is presented with its exaggerated emotion, I can imagine the narrator reminiscing on this night later in his life and either reconsidering his reaction to his mutual friend, or thinking 'those were the crazy days lol'. The line 'a song that I can't sing any more' seems to contradict me here, but I think that as the song's purpose is to capture a moment in time, that that sentiment is only temporary, and it's purpose is to contribute to the overwhelming emotion of the moment more than be a consequence.
Ultimately, I think that part of the connection between the listener and Neil Hannon is that everyone feels like they have been in this position, even the girl and the mutual friend. It is a very subjective perspective, but at the same time one that most people can relate to. In reality, most people have probably played every character in this song at some point, but the one that tends to linger in our emotions is that of the narrator. This song is simply capturing a moment in every adult's growth, like the final photograph for the baby book. It is not right or wrong, it is simply a historical document of a certain time and place, of which we will play all characters.
@xaul <br /> If memory serves the 'a song that I can't sing any more'<br /> Originally was "sang the sun ain't gonna shine anymore" but legal reasons forced the change. Which they say the line was almost a "dig" at the pettiness