"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.
Meet you downstairs in the bar and heard
Your rolled up sleeves and your skull t-shirt
You say why did you do it with him today?
And sniff me out like I was tanqueray
'Cause you're my fella, my guy
Hand me your stella and fly
By the time I'm out the door
You tear me down like Roger Moore
I cheated myself
Like I knew I would
I told ya, I was troubled
You know that I'm no good
Upstairs in bed, with my ex boy
He's in the place, but I can't get joy
Thinking of you in the final throws,
this is when my buzzer goes
Run out to meet your chicks and bitter
You say when we're married cause you're not bitter
There'll be none of him no more
I cried for you on the kitchen floor
I cheated myself
Like I knew I would
I told ya, I was troubled
You know that I'm no good
Sweet reunion, Jamaica and Spain
We're like how we were again
I'm in the tub you're on the seat
Lick your lips as I soak my feet
Then you notice lickle carpet burn
My stomach drops and my guts churn
You shrug and it's the worst
To truly stuck the knife in first
I cheated myself
Like I knew I would
I told ya, I was troubled
You know that I'm no good
I cheated myself
Like I knew I would
I told ya, I was troubled
You know that I'm no good
Your rolled up sleeves and your skull t-shirt
You say why did you do it with him today?
And sniff me out like I was tanqueray
'Cause you're my fella, my guy
Hand me your stella and fly
By the time I'm out the door
You tear me down like Roger Moore
I cheated myself
Like I knew I would
I told ya, I was troubled
You know that I'm no good
Upstairs in bed, with my ex boy
He's in the place, but I can't get joy
Thinking of you in the final throws,
this is when my buzzer goes
Run out to meet your chicks and bitter
You say when we're married cause you're not bitter
There'll be none of him no more
I cried for you on the kitchen floor
I cheated myself
Like I knew I would
I told ya, I was troubled
You know that I'm no good
Sweet reunion, Jamaica and Spain
We're like how we were again
I'm in the tub you're on the seat
Lick your lips as I soak my feet
Then you notice lickle carpet burn
My stomach drops and my guts churn
You shrug and it's the worst
To truly stuck the knife in first
I cheated myself
Like I knew I would
I told ya, I was troubled
You know that I'm no good
I cheated myself
Like I knew I would
I told ya, I was troubled
You know that I'm no good
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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.
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
No one added these yet...:/ So I thought I would. I love Alex's voice, though.
I love this version, more than Amy's one, the original its fine, but this one, I dont know, I just love it.
Love this version. I like Amy's original version but this one has something special, maybe Alex's voice (which I really like)
This is SO weird! We've heard this song so much, and hearing Alex sing it is really ... weird.
This is hilarious. I know someone who plays this song like it's his own personal anthem. He plays it whenever he's been cornered about being a diseased sleazeball who uses young, clueless men. All he is is a sex machine...nothing of any value but how he completes the act. Toss in some booze and razorblades and coke and that's the quality of man he is. Too bad all his little male victims don't know the REAL him, but they will...in ten years time they can wave to him as he sits alone in his dark house with his booze and books 'cause he can no longer con the male youth. See, I get the last laugh. I win this one. You'll always be a loser :D
It's a good thing he dropped your ass because you're a bitter, mean and hateful person. Who are you to judge and say what is of value? Maybe he does those things because the women he's been with were all like you and treated him like shit. Let him move on and behappy and terrorize someone else. What kind of sicko would say things about razor blades? You're sick and should me Micheal Myers for Halloween. Who's got the last word now? now he didn't:)
Who's the loser who can't keep my name out of her mouth. OBSESSED MUCH?
Listen you moron, the replies can't be read due to a problem with the site. So you're talking to yourself. I suppose it's better than playing with yourself, so more power to you!!!
Listen here bitch nasty. Are you a fucking retart? You keep replying so obviously they can be read and who are you concerned about that would be reading anyway. You're being a whacko. Maybe you should dress up like the other micheal? Their both dead and i'm suprised your not because your so evil.
I am so sick and tired of your mouth and you cutting me down. Why do you think were not together? Get a clue and yoru own life...