"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.
You know who it is, oh boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover (said I'm not)
Said I'm not, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
I know it would have been nice
If I could have had your body
Knowing that everybody ain't been with you (ain't been with you)
But you told me lies
You made me give my heart away
But now I know the games you play (no way)
So I'm through with you (so I'm through with you
Listen boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover
Oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
You know there's gonna be a fight
If these chicks keep calling you at night
I seen that text you're tryin' to hide, y'see I know the truth
Must be outta your mind
You thought you'd never see the day
You thought I'd let a player play but I'ma upgrade you
Listen boy, oh boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
You see there's not much you can say
He said he's done changed and I finished today
'Cause I can't do it no more
I won't be there when you call
So you best to move on, move on
'Cause I couldn't be your, your substitute more
No, no, no, no, no, no
Listen, listen yo, listen
I said you can't call my name like I'm going out of fashion
And turn around and act like nothin' ain't happen
Like no, I'm not as cracking
Only when you need a chick
Only when you think about this hotness, you get the itch
That's when you get the itch
Baby, let me be your bitch
Boy, who you think it is? Bad gal nar tek dis
Actin like a little boy, play me like a decoy
You need to grow a couple, boy, you ain't got nothin' boy
So boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no (if you're sick of these boots)
(Try cheatin' like a substitute)
(Ladies, if you know this song, I want you sing along)
Oh boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
I'm not your substitute lover (said I'm not)
Said I'm not, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
I know it would have been nice
If I could have had your body
Knowing that everybody ain't been with you (ain't been with you)
But you told me lies
You made me give my heart away
But now I know the games you play (no way)
So I'm through with you (so I'm through with you
Listen boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover
Oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
You know there's gonna be a fight
If these chicks keep calling you at night
I seen that text you're tryin' to hide, y'see I know the truth
Must be outta your mind
You thought you'd never see the day
You thought I'd let a player play but I'ma upgrade you
Listen boy, oh boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
You see there's not much you can say
He said he's done changed and I finished today
'Cause I can't do it no more
I won't be there when you call
So you best to move on, move on
'Cause I couldn't be your, your substitute more
No, no, no, no, no, no
Listen, listen yo, listen
I said you can't call my name like I'm going out of fashion
And turn around and act like nothin' ain't happen
Like no, I'm not as cracking
Only when you need a chick
Only when you think about this hotness, you get the itch
That's when you get the itch
Baby, let me be your bitch
Boy, who you think it is? Bad gal nar tek dis
Actin like a little boy, play me like a decoy
You need to grow a couple, boy, you ain't got nothin' boy
So boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no (if you're sick of these boots)
(Try cheatin' like a substitute)
(Ladies, if you know this song, I want you sing along)
Oh boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Lyrics submitted by sarararawr
No Substitute Love Lyrics as written by Paul Crosdale Melbourne Miller
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
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.
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,
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.
D: no comments? although these lyrics are missing a huge chunk, the bit where she raps.
and i hear it as; I won't be there when you call
but that just might be me..