"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.
Time on your side that will never end
The most beautiful thing you can ever spend
But you work in a shirt with your name tag on it
Drifting apart like a plate tectonic
It don't matter to me
'Cause all I wanted to be
Was a million miles from here
Somewhere more familiar
Too much time spent dragging the past up
I didn't see you not looking when I messed up
Settling down in your early twenties
Sucked more blood than a backstreet dentist
It don't matter to me
'Cause all I wanted to be
Is a million miles from here
Somewhere more familiar
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
Great rulers make for greater glory
The only thing growing is our history
Knock me down, I'll get right back up again
I'll come back stronger than a powered up Pac-Man
It don't matter to me
'Cause all I wanted to be
Was a million miles from here
Somewhere more familiar
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from
The most beautiful thing you can ever spend
But you work in a shirt with your name tag on it
Drifting apart like a plate tectonic
It don't matter to me
'Cause all I wanted to be
Was a million miles from here
Somewhere more familiar
Too much time spent dragging the past up
I didn't see you not looking when I messed up
Settling down in your early twenties
Sucked more blood than a backstreet dentist
It don't matter to me
'Cause all I wanted to be
Is a million miles from here
Somewhere more familiar
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
Great rulers make for greater glory
The only thing growing is our history
Knock me down, I'll get right back up again
I'll come back stronger than a powered up Pac-Man
It don't matter to me
'Cause all I wanted to be
Was a million miles from here
Somewhere more familiar
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from home
And oh my God, I can't believe it
I've never been this far away from
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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.
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/
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.
I think I like it better than the original. Very catchy.