"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.
You got the world boy
This all you make it?
You had the choice lad
You wouldnt take it
The oldest charm
Only the best for you
And the years of my life,
Some they were so good,
But now and again I feel
I was a coward
Are the holes in my soul
In tatters for all these tears
Well you dont see it that way
A way, a way
We'lll have it today
The dancing ones they really mean it
But something boy,
somethings gonna change
A way, a way
Youve got it they say
How do they know
When theyve never seen it?
And what will you do
When they forget your name?
Well you'll up and get another one
Don't give me that face
I know when I should live in disgrace
Not dig up the deadwood
I knew this place was never the place for me
And of the years that rolled by
Yeah some were so good
But now I know that
You were the coward
The holes in your soul
In tatters for all these years
But you cant see it that way
A way, a way
Well have it today
The dancing ones they really mean it
And mark my words
Something's gonna change
A way, a way
Youve got it they say
But how do they know
When theyve never seen it?
And what will you do
When they forget your name?
Well you'll up and get another one
A way, a way
We'll have it today
The dancing ones they really mean it
But something boy
somethings gonna change
A way, a way
Youve got it today
But how do they know
When theyve never seen it?
And what will you do
When they forget your name?
Well you'll up and get another one
By Gumo® Montevideo-Uruguay
This all you make it?
You had the choice lad
You wouldnt take it
The oldest charm
Only the best for you
And the years of my life,
Some they were so good,
But now and again I feel
I was a coward
Are the holes in my soul
In tatters for all these tears
Well you dont see it that way
A way, a way
We'lll have it today
The dancing ones they really mean it
But something boy,
somethings gonna change
A way, a way
Youve got it they say
How do they know
When theyve never seen it?
And what will you do
When they forget your name?
Well you'll up and get another one
Don't give me that face
I know when I should live in disgrace
Not dig up the deadwood
I knew this place was never the place for me
And of the years that rolled by
Yeah some were so good
But now I know that
You were the coward
The holes in your soul
In tatters for all these years
But you cant see it that way
A way, a way
Well have it today
The dancing ones they really mean it
And mark my words
Something's gonna change
A way, a way
Youve got it they say
But how do they know
When theyve never seen it?
And what will you do
When they forget your name?
Well you'll up and get another one
A way, a way
We'll have it today
The dancing ones they really mean it
But something boy
somethings gonna change
A way, a way
Youve got it today
But how do they know
When theyve never seen it?
And what will you do
When they forget your name?
Well you'll up and get another one
By Gumo® Montevideo-Uruguay
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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/
cobain_grrrl have you written that about every song? Also I don't see how Peter's a coward.
Proof it isn't about him:-
"Carl: That's about getting dead wood out of your life. It could be Pete, I suppose, although it's not. My songs are more autobiographical. I'm not stupid enough to write a bitching album because it's just going to perpetuate the Libertines snare, which I don't want around my feet let alone around Anthony and Didz's feet who have nothing to do with it. If I was to do that, it'd be in a more sensational way than a few smug digs on the album."
Give the guy some credit will ya?
It's much much better live, so fast they almost can't keep up which is great to watch. Second single for those who don't know, buy it just for the NEW B-sides.