"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.
I'll make supper for myself
I'll watch the clock upon the shelf
I'll clean this broken house
Is your time better spent?
By giving such a small percent
Your every pleasant dream that I've tried
Once this ugly thing I see
When was this cold calling me?
And in my [?]
They got him
I sleep with the lights left on
Until all restraints are gone
Is there something you've forgotten?
Who knew?
Some want the better
And all we had
Waited in the next room
And a fool just to carry on
You're the thing that I belong to
Instrumental
Underneath is falling down
Silence, turn around
These games aren't too fun when you're gone
Where you go and why do you leave?
I'll close my eyes
And count to 3
Then hurry up
And wait by the phone
Who knew?
Some want the better
And all we had
Waited in the next room
And a fool just to carry on
You're the thing that I belong to
I'll watch the clock upon the shelf
I'll clean this broken house
Is your time better spent?
By giving such a small percent
Your every pleasant dream that I've tried
Once this ugly thing I see
When was this cold calling me?
And in my [?]
They got him
I sleep with the lights left on
Until all restraints are gone
Is there something you've forgotten?
Who knew?
Some want the better
And all we had
Waited in the next room
And a fool just to carry on
You're the thing that I belong to
Instrumental
Underneath is falling down
Silence, turn around
These games aren't too fun when you're gone
Where you go and why do you leave?
I'll close my eyes
And count to 3
Then hurry up
And wait by the phone
Who knew?
Some want the better
And all we had
Waited in the next room
And a fool just to carry on
You're the thing that I belong to
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I'll make supper for myself I'll watch the clock upon the shelf I'll clean this broken house you denied Is your time much better spent By giving such a small percent To every pleasantry that I've tried?
What's this ugly thing I see? When was this cold and uncomely Animosity begotten? Fucking with the lights left on 'Til every ounce of strength was gone Is there something you've forgotten?
When a new sun warms the bedroom wall I'll be halfway to Richmond I'm the fool just to care at all You're the free vagabond
London Bridge is falling down And Simon says to turn around These games ain't too fun when you're grown Where'd you go and why'd you leave? I'll close my eyes and count to three Then hurry up and wait by the phone
But when the new sun warms the bedroom wall I'll be halfway to Richmond I'm the fool just to care at all You're the free vagabond