"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.
This is a ghost town, alive with the echoes of failures fled
Lit up by shining faces that parade these streets
What used to be of humility is gone
You walk the mounds of skull and bones
Where living is denied, I see more movement in decomposition than in those hollow eyes
It is the only place I know, where death is most alive
It is when truth is turned to lie, that death is most alive
Set flame to the ensnarers and pierce that ornate shield
Branded by what claims you, you wear the mark of death
Tear from loss and agony, a character defined
Stripped of all but tragedy, what life is left to find?
Go now, until there's nothing left
Go now, the dying has begun
It is the only place I know, where death is most alive
It is when truth is turned to lie, that death is most alive
So I flee from all that is me to hide behind this pale dead face
Whatever happened to desire, want and need?
Whatever happened to integrity?
Imagination is a curse in all of this
Whatever happened to the ones left behind?
This is a ghost town, bodies dragged through endless streets
Go now, to never return
I've seen more pitiful humiliation than you could never hide
It is the only place I know, where death is most alive
It is when truth is turned to lie, that death is most alive
Lit up by shining faces that parade these streets
What used to be of humility is gone
You walk the mounds of skull and bones
Where living is denied, I see more movement in decomposition than in those hollow eyes
It is the only place I know, where death is most alive
It is when truth is turned to lie, that death is most alive
Set flame to the ensnarers and pierce that ornate shield
Branded by what claims you, you wear the mark of death
Tear from loss and agony, a character defined
Stripped of all but tragedy, what life is left to find?
Go now, until there's nothing left
Go now, the dying has begun
It is the only place I know, where death is most alive
It is when truth is turned to lie, that death is most alive
So I flee from all that is me to hide behind this pale dead face
Whatever happened to desire, want and need?
Whatever happened to integrity?
Imagination is a curse in all of this
Whatever happened to the ones left behind?
This is a ghost town, bodies dragged through endless streets
Go now, to never return
I've seen more pitiful humiliation than you could never hide
It is the only place I know, where death is most alive
It is when truth is turned to lie, that death is most alive
Lyrics submitted by MySweetShadow87
Terminus (Where Death Is Most Alive) Lyrics as written by Martin Brandstrom Anders Jivarp
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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@[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
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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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Wu-Tang Clan
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Page
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I don't know, I like Vasa's theory, but something makes me think the "death" they're referring to is death metal, the music they make. "Where death is most alive"... Gothenburg.
Eh, just a thought. Vasa's theory makes a lot more sense. xD
@Seewa I saw them live yesterday and he said the song was written about Gothenburg.
Amazing song, amazing riff. Vasa's theory seems to fit perfectly within the lyrics.
On a side note, I believe after the second "Go now", the line "the dying has begun" is said.
Saw DT in concert on Feb 1 and prior to performing this song, Mikael Stanne said it was “about our hometown of Gothenburg”
Oh cool somebody finally got the lyrics. Love this song!!!
My take on this song is that "the only place i know where death is most alive" is our actual world. Instead of enjoying life, we are just going with the flow waiting for the day of our death. Its like life has lost all the meaning to us.
A part of the song is also talking about our lack of ambition. We don't strive for greatness anymore, all we think about is how are we going to get through tomorrow's day at work.
I love this song as well ^^ Riff's amazing.
I was actually struggling on the meaning of this song but your theory works for me.
I agree with Vasa, but Seewa's is cool! ^_^
Amazing song, amazing riff. Vasa's theory seems to fit perfectly within the lyrics.
On a side note, I believe after the second "Go now", the line "the dying has begun" is said.
Like someone said Amazing song, amazing riff Meaning: I think when he says death is most alive People don't see meaning but still goes to work like zombies
Well that's my only interpretation of song XD
Well Vasa said it, I don't have much to add:)
I hate the fact that there are so few comments on DT songs while they do have some of the greatest lyrics around.
I agree somewhat with Vasa, but I tend to interpret it less as a general statement about humanity and more about one particular person whose life has become void of all pleasure and hope.
The lyrics sound to me like this person's own actions and choices have brought this devastation down upon himself and it could easily be about someone who has let a drug addiction strip him of everything.