"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'm in my own world lined with fast girls
Out on the streets, I'm just some guy
You'll never know how much I hate you
Deep down inside
I've always been the quiet type but
I'll spill my heart til it can bleed
Well, aren't we all just fans of insecurity
Here's the line
I hope I cross soon
Now's the time
I'm gonna make this clear tonight
I'm taking back what's mine
Take this fire and kerosene
Burn down all the pretty buildings
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
Take this fire and kerosene
Burn down all the pretty buildings
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
Go on ignore me, judge me for me
You think your clothes keep you disguised
I'm just a punk that's going nowhere
I hope you're right
You're like the kid that screams suicide
But every day wakes up alive
I'm all alone with just one worry
WhereI'll drink tonight
Here's the line
I hope I cross soon
Now's the time
I'm gonna make this clear tonight
I'm taking back what's mine
Take this fire and kerosene
Burn down all the pretty buildings
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
Take this fire and kerosene
Burn down all the pretty buildings
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
I'm waiting for you.
I'm waiting for you.
I'm waiting...
I'm waiting...
I'm waiting...
Take this fire and kerosene
Burn down all the pretty buildings
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
Take this fire and kerosene
Burn down all the pretty buildings
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
Out on the streets, I'm just some guy
You'll never know how much I hate you
Deep down inside
I've always been the quiet type but
I'll spill my heart til it can bleed
Well, aren't we all just fans of insecurity
Here's the line
I hope I cross soon
Now's the time
I'm gonna make this clear tonight
I'm taking back what's mine
Take this fire and kerosene
Burn down all the pretty buildings
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
Take this fire and kerosene
Burn down all the pretty buildings
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
Go on ignore me, judge me for me
You think your clothes keep you disguised
I'm just a punk that's going nowhere
I hope you're right
You're like the kid that screams suicide
But every day wakes up alive
I'm all alone with just one worry
WhereI'll drink tonight
Here's the line
I hope I cross soon
Now's the time
I'm gonna make this clear tonight
I'm taking back what's mine
Take this fire and kerosene
Burn down all the pretty buildings
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
Take this fire and kerosene
Burn down all the pretty buildings
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
I'm waiting for you.
I'm waiting for you.
I'm waiting...
I'm waiting...
I'm waiting...
Take this fire and kerosene
Burn down all the pretty buildings
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
Take this fire and kerosene
Burn down all the pretty buildings
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
They'll be sorry when I get there
Lyrics submitted by Last Action Hero
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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,
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Quick change: It's "Well aren't we all just diehard fans of insecurity?"
I can't believe this album came out so long ago and barely anyone's commented on it yet. These guys are pretty talented.
I think Last Action Hero is pretty close on the meaning. One slight thing that pisses me off about this song though is where it goes, "I'm all alone with just one worry, where I'll drink tonight." He claims he's punk and then says he only worries about getting drunk--punk is about more than just that, it's about standing up for causes, and people forget that nowadays and sing about girls and getting drunk. Not that Logan Square is really punk anyways, I'm just saying.