"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 should not have hid where my heart can't follow,
'cause this grace gets so far and too hard to swallow.
I've been running from Saul, he's been giving chase;
when I look in his eyes, all I see is my face.
You're still on my back after all these years,
chasing me out of hell and my nice veneers.
I don't know how you stand when you've got no floor,
or how you can breathe with your hands on boards.
I just want to be not what I am today,
I just want to be better than my friends might say,
I just want a small part in your passions play.
Do you hear when I call in the midst of wrong?
Do you hear these here words while I sing this song?
Are you caught up in me like I heard you say,
or just some big cashier that I'll have to pay?
'Just want to be not what I am today,
I just want to be better than my friends might say,
I just want a small part in your passions play.
'cause this grace gets so far and too hard to swallow.
I've been running from Saul, he's been giving chase;
when I look in his eyes, all I see is my face.
You're still on my back after all these years,
chasing me out of hell and my nice veneers.
I don't know how you stand when you've got no floor,
or how you can breathe with your hands on boards.
I just want to be not what I am today,
I just want to be better than my friends might say,
I just want a small part in your passions play.
Do you hear when I call in the midst of wrong?
Do you hear these here words while I sing this song?
Are you caught up in me like I heard you say,
or just some big cashier that I'll have to pay?
'Just want to be not what I am today,
I just want to be better than my friends might say,
I just want a small part in your passions play.
Lyrics submitted by alicson
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Fast Car
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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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”
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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.
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'I should not have hid where my heart can't follow/cause this grace gets so far and too hard to swallow/i've been running from Saul/he's been giving chase/when i look in his eyes/all i see is my face'
samuel was a king chosen by god to lead the jews, and Saul was the prophet who make god's will happen. so he got samuel from his family and got him crowned, but taught him what god wanted from a king of the jews. samuel started off as an excellent king, but slowly started to deviate from the rules - it got worse and worse and samuel basically avoided Saul because he knew what he was doing was wrong.
i don't know how you stand/when you've got no floor/or how you can breathe/with your hands on boards
first two = god, second two = jesus' cruxifixion, previous 4 lines are explained by this mix of jesus/god reference.
are you caught up in me/like i heard you say?/or just some big cashier/that i'll have to pay
paying the cashier is a comment on the strange way that beliving in a god can make you feel like used.
credit to my friend helms (he's hot) for the excellent old testament knowledge and interpretation
you had the story right, but saul was king and samuel was the prophet. God did not want a king for the hebrew people, but they begged him and he sent samuel, <br /> <br /> anyways: 'I've been running from Saul/he's been giving chase/when i look in his eyes all i see is my face' refers to when Saul chased David to kill him when Saul became jealous of God's favor<br /> <br /> ha ik its been like 2 years since you posted this, but just thought i'd bring ya a little insight (:
actually, Samuel was the prophet and Saul the king chosen. The Jews wanted to be like all the other countries and have a ing, so Samuel appointed Saul as king. When William says in his song, "I've been running from Saul, he's been giving chase" he's referring to King David, who was later annointed as the next king because Saul wasn't being obedient to what God what he wanted to do. Once King David was anointed by Samuel, Saul began to go after him, wanting him dead for taking over his throne. Saul, in this song, might mean the bad things that happen that keep coming back to us and chasing us.. go check out I Samuel in the Bible, it's all there :)
I think he's refering to Saul of Tarsus, in the New Testament, who persecuted Christians. This is a powerful song. Perhaps he is saying that he considers himself a Christian but struggles at times with his faith. The line about the grace being too hard to swallow makes sense because many wonder how they could be forgiven for what they've done. Especially if he says he runs from Saul but sees a bit of Saul in him. This could be about feelings of hypocrisy calling himself a Christian but also judging and persecuting some for what they believe. This song is littered with biblical references and references to faith. It almost seems like a prayer because he appears to be singing to God. To me this is obviously a man struggling with his faith...i recognize the feelings.
this song is beautiful, and doesn't at all need explaining. it's just so good; his voice, the guitar, the meaning in the words. everything about it is so perfect.
I think this is a reference to the Christian Passion of Christ and the ever popular Passion Plays that many churches put on around easter. William writes his lyrics based on both personal experiences and those of some of his therapy clients. I would imagine that religion would be a common struggle.
The voice of the character (whether it be William or someone else) is talking about the normal feelings of wanting to be a better person and wanting to do the right things in life... he also wonders if he's heard (by God or whomever he is speaking to) when he speaks.
That's what I get from this. I hope it helps... and that I'm not to far off.
He's trying to find his place and he's looking to christianity for answers in this particular song.
yeah i agree with Greenie18. you must be a genius. sometimes i wish my best friend was as clever as you obviously are.
It all comes together beautifully... I heard this song from Grey's Anatomy and everyday since then I listenned to it! So rich in meaning and the guitar work gives me goosebumps everytime.
'Chasing me out of hell AND MY NICE VENEERS' -- In hell it is said to be that there will be gnashing of TEETH.
"it's about wanting to be better." youtube.com/watch
I love this song so much...the lyrics, the guitar, the voice...
I agree with everything said about the meaning. Also, the loud bangs at the end always make me think of the crucifixion, and nails being hammered into the cross.