The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I've got stars in my great big sky
I shall gaze upon without leaving small ones behind
Because they're harder to find
Some were satellites, others planes
Some were twinkling while others were fading away
But they're all one of a kind
Oh it's not that interesting
But I'd like to keep it a secret
So I'll have something left to give
It's not that difficult when you've got a luck of this kind
We've got to take advantage
We've got such limited time
Oh I wonder, oh I wonder
How long'd it to take me to die
Oh it's not that interesting
But I'd like to keep it a secret
So I'll have something left to give
And I'll hear my children and grandchildren sing
Oh It's not that interesting
But I'd like to keep it a secret
So I'll have something left to give
In my remaining years
When I am old and plain lazy
I'll have a little something left to give
To all those who loved me so much
I'd like to return the favor
And have something left to give
And I'll hear my children and grandchildren sing
It's not that difficult when you've got a luck of this kind
To all those who loved me so much, I'd like to return the favor
I wonder oh I wonder, how long to take me to die
It's not that interesting but I'd like to keep it a secret
And have something left to give
I shall gaze upon without leaving small ones behind
Because they're harder to find
Some were satellites, others planes
Some were twinkling while others were fading away
But they're all one of a kind
Oh it's not that interesting
But I'd like to keep it a secret
So I'll have something left to give
It's not that difficult when you've got a luck of this kind
We've got to take advantage
We've got such limited time
Oh I wonder, oh I wonder
How long'd it to take me to die
Oh it's not that interesting
But I'd like to keep it a secret
So I'll have something left to give
And I'll hear my children and grandchildren sing
Oh It's not that interesting
But I'd like to keep it a secret
So I'll have something left to give
In my remaining years
When I am old and plain lazy
I'll have a little something left to give
To all those who loved me so much
I'd like to return the favor
And have something left to give
And I'll hear my children and grandchildren sing
It's not that difficult when you've got a luck of this kind
To all those who loved me so much, I'd like to return the favor
I wonder oh I wonder, how long to take me to die
It's not that interesting but I'd like to keep it a secret
And have something left to give
Lyrics submitted by thoseguiltyeyes, edited by Skoobasteve24
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"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.
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I was kind of thinking the same as Weartsaint08. But I think he's talking about music. When he says "And I'll hear my children and grandchildren sing" I think he's talking about the future generations of singers/songwriters and how he would like to contribute to music history.
Just what I thought...