"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.
Elphaba!
Why couldn't you have stayed calm for once,
Instead of flying off the handle!
I hope you're happy!
I hope you're happy now,
I hope you're happy how you,
Hurt your cause forever,
I hope you think you're clever!
I hope you're happy,
I hope you're happy, too,
I hope you're proud how you,
Would grovel in submission,
To feed your own ambition.
So though I can't imagine how,
I hope you're happy right now,
Elphie, listen to me. Just say you're sorry.
You can still be with the Wizard,
What you've worked and waited for,
You can have all you ever wanted..
I know,
But I don't want it,
No - I can't want it.
Anymore.
Something has changed within me,
Something is not the same,
I'm through with playing by the rules,
Of someone else's game.
Too late for second-guessing,
Too late to go back to sleep,
It's time to trust my instincts,
Close my eyes, and leap!
It's time to try
Defying gravity,
I think I'll try
Defying gravity,
And you can't pull me down!
Can't I make you understand?
You're having delusions of grandeur.
I'm through accepting limits,
'Cause someone says they're so.
Some things I cannot change,
But 'til I try, I'll never know,
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost,
Well, if that's love,
It comes at much too high a cost!
I'd sooner buy,
Defying gravity,
Kiss me goodbye,
I'm defying gravity,
And you can't pull me down.
Glinda - Come with me.
Think of what we could do-
Together.
Unlimited,
Together we're unlimited,
Together we'll be the greatest team,
There's ever been,
Glinda,
Dreams, the way we planned them...
If we work in tandem;
There's no fight we cannot win,
Just you and I,
Defying gravity,
With you and I,
Defying gravity,
They'll never bring us down!
Well? Are you coming?
I hope you're happy,
Now that you're choosing this,
You too-
I hope it brings you bliss.
I really hope you get it,
And you don't live to regret it,
I hope you're happy in the end,
I hope you're happy, my friend.
So if you care to find me
Look to the west end sky,
As someone told me lately;
"Everyone deserves the chance to fly!"
And if I'm flying solo,
At least I'm flying free,
To those who'd ground me,
Take a message back from me,
Tell them how I am,
Defying gravity,
I'm flying high,
Defying gravity,
And soon I'll match them in renown,
And nobody in all of Oz,
No Wizard that there is or was,
Is ever gonna bring me down!
I hope you're happy!
Look at her, she's wicked!
Get her!
Bring me down!
No one mourns the wicked,
So we've got to bring her-
Ahhh!
Down!
Why couldn't you have stayed calm for once,
Instead of flying off the handle!
I hope you're happy!
I hope you're happy now,
I hope you're happy how you,
Hurt your cause forever,
I hope you think you're clever!
I hope you're happy,
I hope you're happy, too,
I hope you're proud how you,
Would grovel in submission,
To feed your own ambition.
So though I can't imagine how,
I hope you're happy right now,
Elphie, listen to me. Just say you're sorry.
You can still be with the Wizard,
What you've worked and waited for,
You can have all you ever wanted..
I know,
But I don't want it,
No - I can't want it.
Anymore.
Something has changed within me,
Something is not the same,
I'm through with playing by the rules,
Of someone else's game.
Too late for second-guessing,
Too late to go back to sleep,
It's time to trust my instincts,
Close my eyes, and leap!
It's time to try
Defying gravity,
I think I'll try
Defying gravity,
And you can't pull me down!
Can't I make you understand?
You're having delusions of grandeur.
I'm through accepting limits,
'Cause someone says they're so.
Some things I cannot change,
But 'til I try, I'll never know,
Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost,
Well, if that's love,
It comes at much too high a cost!
I'd sooner buy,
Defying gravity,
Kiss me goodbye,
I'm defying gravity,
And you can't pull me down.
Glinda - Come with me.
Think of what we could do-
Together.
Unlimited,
Together we're unlimited,
Together we'll be the greatest team,
There's ever been,
Glinda,
Dreams, the way we planned them...
If we work in tandem;
There's no fight we cannot win,
Just you and I,
Defying gravity,
With you and I,
Defying gravity,
They'll never bring us down!
Well? Are you coming?
I hope you're happy,
Now that you're choosing this,
You too-
I hope it brings you bliss.
I really hope you get it,
And you don't live to regret it,
I hope you're happy in the end,
I hope you're happy, my friend.
So if you care to find me
Look to the west end sky,
As someone told me lately;
"Everyone deserves the chance to fly!"
And if I'm flying solo,
At least I'm flying free,
To those who'd ground me,
Take a message back from me,
Tell them how I am,
Defying gravity,
I'm flying high,
Defying gravity,
And soon I'll match them in renown,
And nobody in all of Oz,
No Wizard that there is or was,
Is ever gonna bring me down!
I hope you're happy!
Look at her, she's wicked!
Get her!
Bring me down!
No one mourns the wicked,
So we've got to bring her-
Ahhh!
Down!
Lyrics submitted by wooden_petal, edited by mcrot
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Eeeeee I get to be the first comment on this song! NO WAY!
I LOVE THIS SONG. So many FABULOUS lines - some favorites are "well if that's love it comes at much to great a cost/I'd sooner try defying gravity", "so if you care to find me, look to the Western sky!", "I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game", "and if I'm flying solo, at least I'm flying free". The song build beautifully and all those lines I mentioned are hit just perfectly.
Not trying to sound like a picky bitch...but the lyrics are "well if that's love it comes at much to great a cost/I'd sooner BUY defying gravity"<br /> I only care because it gives the line a lot more depth
Omg - love this song, still havent seen the musical yet, but have heard it is great :D x
I read "Wicked" (the book). One word: AMAZING. My uncle says he's gonna take me to see the musical and I can't wait. This song is awesome. Idina Menzel sang this song as a pop song. I just downloaded it for my ipod. Both versions are awesome. I like how it says "and you won't bring me down". Great song altogether. Can't wait to see the musical!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I saw Wicked on Broadway in New York in the spring. This song was by far the most powerful. Unfortunately, Idina Menzel was not playing Elphie, but it was still just as good. There is so much power both in the music and vocals of this song, it gives me goosebumps everytime.
Ok, to me this song is about doing what you want & not really thinking thing's throught but mainly living in the moment! I know there's way more to it, but when I saw the show-instant chill's! I was so moved because both actresses are so talented!
This is seriously my favorite song of all time
this is an amazing song, they're voices are great, in fact, its wicked.......
er i thought it was 'flying so low' lol
Defying Gravity is an amazing piece. Not only is it a powerful song musically but it has rich deeper meanings. I have been taking an existential literature class and you can see some real Nietzsche qualities about it. In this I mean her will to power attitude and that belief that there is only you and what you make of your own life.
amazing. beautiful. i really want to sing this in my school's talent show. and see the actual musical, and read the book. the glee version is ok but i like this one best.