"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.
(Oh no)
(Ah yeah)
Your kiss,
Your smile,
Your mind, your sunlight in my eyes.
I miss,
Your breath,
On my neck, when we whisper in the night.
Didn't wanna want you,
Didn't wanna need you so bad,
Didn't wanna wake up
And find I was falling so fast.
Didn't wanna need you,
Didn't wanna need anyone,
Now look what you've done,
[Chorus]
Now I can't go on without you,
I'm naked,
I can't fake it,
I'm not that strong without you
Never thought I could love you,
The way I do
The way I do
Your touch,
Your skin,
Can't believe the way you let me in.
Don't rush,
Tonight,
I need you, like the ocean needs the tide.
Didn't wanna want you
Didn't wanna need you so bad
Didn't wanna wake up
And find I was falling so fast.
Didn't wanna need you
Didn't wanna need anyone
Now look what you've done
[Chorus]
I always thought I would stand on my own
Climb a mountain top all alone
Relying,
Depending,
On no one
Now look what you've done
[Chorus]
Never thought I could love you
(Never thought I could love you)
Never thought I could need you
(Need you)
Never thought I could want you
(Baby)
The way I do
Never thought I could love you
Never thought I could need you
Never thought I could want you
The way I do
I love you
I need you
I want you
The way I do
I love you
I need you
I want you
The way I do
(Ah yeah)
Your kiss,
Your smile,
Your mind, your sunlight in my eyes.
I miss,
Your breath,
On my neck, when we whisper in the night.
Didn't wanna want you,
Didn't wanna need you so bad,
Didn't wanna wake up
And find I was falling so fast.
Didn't wanna need you,
Didn't wanna need anyone,
Now look what you've done,
[Chorus]
Now I can't go on without you,
I'm naked,
I can't fake it,
I'm not that strong without you
Never thought I could love you,
The way I do
The way I do
Your touch,
Your skin,
Can't believe the way you let me in.
Don't rush,
Tonight,
I need you, like the ocean needs the tide.
Didn't wanna want you
Didn't wanna need you so bad
Didn't wanna wake up
And find I was falling so fast.
Didn't wanna need you
Didn't wanna need anyone
Now look what you've done
[Chorus]
I always thought I would stand on my own
Climb a mountain top all alone
Relying,
Depending,
On no one
Now look what you've done
[Chorus]
Never thought I could love you
(Never thought I could love you)
Never thought I could need you
(Need you)
Never thought I could want you
(Baby)
The way I do
Never thought I could love you
Never thought I could need you
Never thought I could want you
The way I do
I love you
I need you
I want you
The way I do
I love you
I need you
I want you
The way I do
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
beautiful beautiful song.
about falling for someone when you didn't want to fall for them.
i can relate SO well.