"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.
Four people all dressed in black
Down on their way to a funeral
In a four-way smash
And my coke is on the dashboard
My boys are in the back
But you don’t love me yet
So I try another tack
And the wheels on this car
Sing the funeral blues
And I’m trying to hail a taxi
While you’re racing down the hill
Sixty RPM to tell me
That you love me still
But it’s unscripted theatre
And no-one pays the bill
And I can’t get my fill
And yes I love you still
Of course I do
Just trying to make some sense
Out of these funeral blues
I was so indifferent
About what tomorrow would bring
I danced a Russian ballet
Through the paparazzi sting
And I keep telling you
To do your own thing
But then you just can’t live without me
And the nature of beauty
For me is in the part
That keeps its independent spirit
So I sing it from my heart
Tonight I feel wonderful
With the funeral blues
I’m sick and I’m tired
I’m trying to force a smile
I’m staring at your face
From across the cinema aisle
And your boyfriend is pretty
But he’s got no sense of style
So it’s you and me
Get off to the mountain
Or you and me
Make love in Florence
And let the optimists and cynics fight it out
Find out about the funeral blues
He’ll turn up with a switchblade
And an angelic face
Unscrupulous and ruthless
With his fingers on your waist
He never said he loved you
But he’s offering a taste
A taste, my darling
Of your funeral blues
A taste, my darling
Of your funeral blues
Oooh
Your funeral blues
Down on their way to a funeral
In a four-way smash
And my coke is on the dashboard
My boys are in the back
But you don’t love me yet
So I try another tack
And the wheels on this car
Sing the funeral blues
And I’m trying to hail a taxi
While you’re racing down the hill
Sixty RPM to tell me
That you love me still
But it’s unscripted theatre
And no-one pays the bill
And I can’t get my fill
And yes I love you still
Of course I do
Just trying to make some sense
Out of these funeral blues
I was so indifferent
About what tomorrow would bring
I danced a Russian ballet
Through the paparazzi sting
And I keep telling you
To do your own thing
But then you just can’t live without me
And the nature of beauty
For me is in the part
That keeps its independent spirit
So I sing it from my heart
Tonight I feel wonderful
With the funeral blues
I’m sick and I’m tired
I’m trying to force a smile
I’m staring at your face
From across the cinema aisle
And your boyfriend is pretty
But he’s got no sense of style
So it’s you and me
Get off to the mountain
Or you and me
Make love in Florence
And let the optimists and cynics fight it out
Find out about the funeral blues
He’ll turn up with a switchblade
And an angelic face
Unscrupulous and ruthless
With his fingers on your waist
He never said he loved you
But he’s offering a taste
A taste, my darling
Of your funeral blues
A taste, my darling
Of your funeral blues
Oooh
Your funeral blues
Lyrics submitted by SparksOfGold
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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.
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This song is amazing, why has no-one else commented, it's got a special connection to me as well. On the way home from my Great-Grandad's funeral my mum's car got hit by a lorry and pushed down the motorway, I discovered this song a few days later and it seemed so fitting.
The lyrics are amazing and meaningful and the music haunting my favourite lines are: [[your boyfriend is pretty but he's got no sense of style]]
i think this song is really beautiful and when i heard it live i just stood still and listned to the lyrics.
but the thing is, i dont really understand- is he talking about a girl who died?
Does the song have anything to do with W H Auden's famous poem 'Funeral Blues'?