"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.
What is it, I don't remember
Made my being so much better
If I can have just one pure thought
What is it, I don't remember
Made my being so much better
If I can have just one pure thought
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
(There is no other way out)
I won't be on my way
I'll help you on your way
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
(There is no other way out)
I won't be on my way
There's nothing more to say
So far, as you've seen
We've been the hardest team
To bear arms since Arnold Rogers was an island tree
And although the macarena has entirely been
I believe you will appreciate the rest of this dream
I got some lost damn feeling
Like I'm feeling in threat
I was the child in the forest
With the bones and the bread
I was a train at the point
Where the rail-road ends
Trying to roll across sound
On your steam in my hands
It was a trip that wouldn't wanna take again
It is a trip that I thought would never end
It was a trip that wouldn't wanna take again
It is a trip that I thought would never end
What is it, I don't remember
Made my being so much better
If I can have just one pure thought
What is it, I don't remember
Made my being so much better
If I can have just one pure thought
What is it, I don't remember
Made my feeling so much better
If I can have just one pure thought
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
I'll help you on your way
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
I'll help you on my way
There is nothing more to say
Made my being so much better
If I can have just one pure thought
What is it, I don't remember
Made my being so much better
If I can have just one pure thought
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
(There is no other way out)
I won't be on my way
I'll help you on your way
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
(There is no other way out)
I won't be on my way
There's nothing more to say
So far, as you've seen
We've been the hardest team
To bear arms since Arnold Rogers was an island tree
And although the macarena has entirely been
I believe you will appreciate the rest of this dream
I got some lost damn feeling
Like I'm feeling in threat
I was the child in the forest
With the bones and the bread
I was a train at the point
Where the rail-road ends
Trying to roll across sound
On your steam in my hands
It was a trip that wouldn't wanna take again
It is a trip that I thought would never end
It was a trip that wouldn't wanna take again
It is a trip that I thought would never end
What is it, I don't remember
Made my being so much better
If I can have just one pure thought
What is it, I don't remember
Made my being so much better
If I can have just one pure thought
What is it, I don't remember
Made my feeling so much better
If I can have just one pure thought
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
I'll help you on your way
I won't be on my way
I won't be on my way
I'll help you on my way
There is nothing more to say
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
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
"Nile Rogers was denied entry" - Does anyone else believe that this is referring to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Chic, Nile Rodgers' band, has been nominated 4 times, but not yet inducted, or entered.