"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.
heaven
is the whole of the heart
and heaven don't tear you apart
yeah heaven
is the whole of the heart
and heaven don't tear you apart
there's too many kings
wanna hold you down
and a world at the window
gone underground
there's a hole in the sky
where the sun don't shine
and a clock on the wall
and it counts my time
and heaven
is the whole of the heart
and heaven don't tear you apart
yeah heaven is the whole of the heart
and heaven don't tear you apart
there's a song on the air
with a love-you line
and a face in a glass
and it looks like mine
and i'm standing on ice when i say
that i don't hear planes
and i scream at the fools
wanna jump my train
and heaven is the whole of the heart
and heaven don't tear you apart
yeah heaven is the whole of the heart
and heaven don't tear you apart
yeah heaven
ah heaven
yeah heaven
is the whole of the heart
and heaven don't tear you apart
yeah heaven
is the whole of the heart
and heaven don't tear you apart
there's too many kings
wanna hold you down
and a world at the window
gone underground
there's a hole in the sky
where the sun don't shine
and a clock on the wall
and it counts my time
and heaven
is the whole of the heart
and heaven don't tear you apart
yeah heaven is the whole of the heart
and heaven don't tear you apart
there's a song on the air
with a love-you line
and a face in a glass
and it looks like mine
and i'm standing on ice when i say
that i don't hear planes
and i scream at the fools
wanna jump my train
and heaven is the whole of the heart
and heaven don't tear you apart
yeah heaven is the whole of the heart
and heaven don't tear you apart
yeah heaven
ah heaven
yeah heaven
Lyrics submitted by Major Valor
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
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.
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
There different interpretations and by no means do I know the true meaning that Richard had, but I listen to this many times on my commutes and to me there is religious connotations. You'd be surprised by how many artist do this but won't le on because it may impact their image that the record company want projected.
Now keep this in mind I'm NOT a bible thumper or any righteous individual :-) Lord knows me well :-)
So try this.
Heaven is the whole of the heart - that is in reference to many biblical comments by Jesus about filling your heart to God.
There's too many kings Want to hold you down. That is a direction reference to Jesus lecturing the Pharisees on holding the laws against the people and misusing God's directions.
There's a song on the air With a love-you line And a face in a glass And it looks like mine. This one is a cool reference to what Jesus sai to the Pharisees who tried to trick him when they tried to say what's the 2nd important law?? Jesus replies Love thy neighbor as you love yourself - i.e the face in a glass :-
And I scream at the fools Want to jump my train. People who jump your train is a reference to those who want derail you.
It's not a hard stretch.
Did they have other songs that are completely no related to religion or hav religious connotations, absolutely - Pretty in Pink!
Any ways it's a different perspective and I love the song since it came out during my university days and I'd get up and dance to it by myself :-)