"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.
Don't let your mind get weary
And confused your will be still, don't try
Don't let your heart get heavy
Child, inside you there's a strength that lies (lies)
Don't let your soul get lonely
Child, it's only time, it will go by
Don't look for love in faces, places
It's in you that's where you'll find kindness
Be here now, be here now
Be, be here now, be here now
Don't lose your faith in me
And I will try not to lose faith in you
Don't put your trust in walls
'Cause walls will only crush you when they fall
Be, be here now, be here now
Be, be here now, be here now
And confused your will be still, don't try
Don't let your heart get heavy
Child, inside you there's a strength that lies (lies)
Don't let your soul get lonely
Child, it's only time, it will go by
Don't look for love in faces, places
It's in you that's where you'll find kindness
Be here now, be here now
Be, be here now, be here now
Don't lose your faith in me
And I will try not to lose faith in you
Don't put your trust in walls
'Cause walls will only crush you when they fall
Be, be here now, be here now
Be, be here now, be here now
Lyrics submitted by cristinaish
Be Here Now Lyrics as written by Raycharles Lamontagne
Lyrics © Hipgnosis Songs Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
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Be here now is a class mantra. The idea behind it is to bring the individual into the present. There is in fact only now and now is eternity. The past is behind you and the future also doesn't exist. Being here now in the present, will bring you bliss. The bliss of the Buddist's nirvana, the Hindu's moksha, and even Christianity's heaven.
@theveil I find this interpretation fairly shallow. The song handles some of what you point out but in passing imagery that is contrasted with other images of profound lost and darkness. The song is much more complex then this as a singular meaning. There is nothing blissful in this song and no antipation of bliss.
LIVE IN THE NOW !
I listen to this album and hear a story. Each track a new chapter. In this opening track he seems to be speaking to himself... bringing himself into the present - reasserting his faith that, in himself, he has what it takes to proceed... life, love, the story itself, what ever. It seems to be a preparation for the turmoil and loss he sings about in later tracks. It's almost reminiscent - a hindsight - before the listener even know the whole story; he knows what's happened and this is his prologue. Listen to the entire album if you can - simply amazing whether you read into it or not. It's beautifully haunting.
i absolutely agree, and you've stated it more beautifully than i ever could have... :)
jdstults, i can hear the dialogue in the background too. it starts at the 2:30 mark. it's so faint that i can't understand what it says, but it does sound like some sort of an old newscast or radio announcement.
the song meaning is simple to me - look within yourself first before reaching to others for things that you should be able to provide within yourself first (love, respect, company, truth). and you must be in the moment (be here now) to truly find it.
thank god for ray.
I hear the sweet sound of God singing me a lullaby. I am comforted by this simple message, regardless of its intended meaning.
I had no idea there was a song about this, and I came up with "Be Here Now." On my own as a tattoo in memory of my sister who passed away three years ago in a car accident at 22. And the way he defines these words is exactly what I had in mind...I'm stunned. Beautiful.
To me, it's more of a plea for someone to not get into a depression and think life isn't worth living. Not to define themselves by the people around them but to learn to define themselves FOR themselves.
I just bought the new album and this is a great track to start the album with. Ray's passion can be heard in this song.
ya know....i dont care it's just beautiful... but be happy with yourself as you are NOW is the meaning I think
This is one of the most beautiful songs I have heard. To me, he is trying to convince someone (maybe himself) to count on themselves for happiness. Regardless, the way he sings this with his emotive voice is so plaintive.