"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.
The wolves, my love, will come
Taking us home where dust once was a man
Is there life before a death?
Do we long too much?
(And never let in)
Howl, seven days to the wolves
Where will we be when they come?
Seven days to the poison
And a place in heaven
Time drawing near as
They come to take us
This is my church of choice
Love's strength stranded in love's sacrifice
For the rest, I have to say to you
I will dream like the god
(And suffer like all the dead children)
Howl, seven days to the wolves
Where will we be when they come?
Seven days to the poison
And a place in heaven
Time drawing near as
They come to take us
This is where heroes and cowards part ways
Light the fire, feast
Chase the ghost, give in
Take the road less traveled by
Leave the city of fools
Turn every poet loose
Howl, seven days to the wolves
Where will we be when they come?
Seven days to the poison
And a place in heaven
Time drawing near as
They come to take us
Howl, seven days to the wolves
Where will we be when they come?
Seven days to the poison
And a place in heaven
Time drawing near as
They come to take us
Heroes
Cowards
No more
Heroes
Cowards
No more
Heroes
Cowards
No more
Taking us home where dust once was a man
Is there life before a death?
Do we long too much?
(And never let in)
Howl, seven days to the wolves
Where will we be when they come?
Seven days to the poison
And a place in heaven
Time drawing near as
They come to take us
This is my church of choice
Love's strength stranded in love's sacrifice
For the rest, I have to say to you
I will dream like the god
(And suffer like all the dead children)
Howl, seven days to the wolves
Where will we be when they come?
Seven days to the poison
And a place in heaven
Time drawing near as
They come to take us
This is where heroes and cowards part ways
Light the fire, feast
Chase the ghost, give in
Take the road less traveled by
Leave the city of fools
Turn every poet loose
Howl, seven days to the wolves
Where will we be when they come?
Seven days to the poison
And a place in heaven
Time drawing near as
They come to take us
Howl, seven days to the wolves
Where will we be when they come?
Seven days to the poison
And a place in heaven
Time drawing near as
They come to take us
Heroes
Cowards
No more
Heroes
Cowards
No more
Heroes
Cowards
No more
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
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”
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.
Dreamwalker
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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Could it not also reference a coming invader? Scandinavian armies at one time employed fighters called berzerkers, who went into battle on adrenaline rush and would not stop until they were killed, or the enemy obliterated. They were said to be imbued with the spirit of bears or wolves when they fought, and often times they wore their pelts into battle. To me it seems as if he's waiting for an invasion. "Seven days to the wolves" Seven days until the enemy arrives and we're all killed. "This is where heroes and cowards part ways". Some will stay and fight, while others will flee.
@dreamer_of_evil I'm Just gonna leave this here for you to check out you might be surprised by what he has to say about berserkers.<br /> youtu.be/PBUGQkpk3RE