"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.
Out of place, put him down
He's all strung out
Don't hold your breath for too long
This moment's fading out now
Our souls have caught on fire
Well I don't really wanna walk that line
I don't really wanna cross that line
Let's make this now or never
Fade it out, the storms that I love
The heat is getting stronger and I plan to take advantage
No matter what they say
The tide is slowly going out
Tonight
Oh god
Please open your eyes
It's time to finalize
Lets make this now or never
Set it off and let it burn
Take your form
Let it be the scariest
Let it be most furious
I am the boy who sets your girl on fire
And when she dances oh she knows it's right
We'll send them all to hell
I am the boy who sets your girl on fire
And when she dances oh she knows it's right
We'll send them all to hell
I am the boy who sets your girl on fire
And when she dances oh she knows it's right
We'll send them all to hell
I am the boy who sets your girl on fire
And when she dances oh she knows it's right
We'll send them all to hell
He's all strung out
Don't hold your breath for too long
This moment's fading out now
Our souls have caught on fire
Well I don't really wanna walk that line
I don't really wanna cross that line
Let's make this now or never
Fade it out, the storms that I love
The heat is getting stronger and I plan to take advantage
No matter what they say
The tide is slowly going out
Tonight
Oh god
Please open your eyes
It's time to finalize
Lets make this now or never
Set it off and let it burn
Take your form
Let it be the scariest
Let it be most furious
I am the boy who sets your girl on fire
And when she dances oh she knows it's right
We'll send them all to hell
I am the boy who sets your girl on fire
And when she dances oh she knows it's right
We'll send them all to hell
I am the boy who sets your girl on fire
And when she dances oh she knows it's right
We'll send them all to hell
I am the boy who sets your girl on fire
And when she dances oh she knows it's right
We'll send them all to hell
Lyrics submitted by Street Spirit
Set It off Like Napalm Lyrics as written by Ernest White Brian Mcternan
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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,
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.
"Set if off and let it burn"
Sounds to me like he is saying
"Set it UP and let it FALL"