"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.
[Repeat: x2]
Carry your flags,
March into that fictional cause and show off that medal,
Just don't reach for that gun.
Carry that banner.
Build that heart out of stone.
Just don't reach for that gun.
You scaled the high horse and I felt the change.
I know the difference between you and me.
You cleaned the outside of your chalice but it's filled with robbery and self indulgence,
Just like the rest of us.
[Repeats: x2]
You wear that cross like a crown.
You wear that cross like a dagger.
Come down from that tower.
Nothing will be the outcome.
Nothing is the outcome.
Build that heart out of stone.
Just don't reach for that gun.
You scaled the high horse and I felt the change.
I know the difference between you and me.
Come down from that tower. [Repeat: x3]
Nothing will be the outcome. [Repeat: x5]
Nothing is the outcome. [Repeat: x3]
Carry your flags,
March into that fictional cause and show off that medal,
Just don't reach for that gun.
Carry that banner.
Build that heart out of stone.
Just don't reach for that gun.
You scaled the high horse and I felt the change.
I know the difference between you and me.
You cleaned the outside of your chalice but it's filled with robbery and self indulgence,
Just like the rest of us.
[Repeats: x2]
You wear that cross like a crown.
You wear that cross like a dagger.
Come down from that tower.
Nothing will be the outcome.
Nothing is the outcome.
Build that heart out of stone.
Just don't reach for that gun.
You scaled the high horse and I felt the change.
I know the difference between you and me.
Come down from that tower. [Repeat: x3]
Nothing will be the outcome. [Repeat: x5]
Nothing is the outcome. [Repeat: x3]
Lyrics submitted by xianmeltonx
Vipers, Snakes, and Actors Lyrics as written by Cory Brandan Putman
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
missing line from the lyrics "Oh my god, take this sword from my mouth"
I think it's about religion vs. spirituality. A body of laws and causes with little to no reason vs. a spiritual approach. I personally relate to this song really well.
@CovinS I like your idea, but I highly doubt Norma Jean is referring to religion as a body of laws and causes with little or no reason.
"Carry your flags, march into that fictional cause and show off that medal. Just don't reach for that gun. Carry that banner. Build that heart out of stone. Just don't reach for that gun."
-People are standing up for all the wrong things these days. Promoting all the wrong things. One example would be politicians preaching the wrong things. They don't specifically reference politicians, but that's one area where this is done repeatedly. The line "build that heart out of stone" means that they truly believe it and it's corrupting themselves. the line "just don't reach for your gun" means if they go any further, it will only cause much more damage and destruction.
"You cleaned the outside of your chalice but it's filled with robbery and self indulgence... just like the rest of us."
-I love this line. Easy line to interpret as well. Basically we are all after what is best for ourselves. Not really going after the greater good, but what fits ourselves best, and believe it is the best for everyone.
"Come down from that tower. Nothing will be the outcome. Nothing is the outcome."
NJ is asking for this person to stop thinking they are so great. Come back down to reality. Then they go on singing about what this person is fighting for, won't change or help a thing.
there are a couple of really good interviews in the latest issues of revolver and alt. press and cory talks about the lyrics in this song specifically: "Carry your flags, march into that fictional cause and show off that medal. Just don't reach for that gun. Carry that banner. Build that heart out of stone. Just don't reach for that gun."
he is talking about how Christians so readily prosecute one another for not having the true faith or whatever, when Christians should love everyone equally. i love the fact that Norma Jean is a Christian band and they will tackle hard subjects like this one...its what makes them one of, if not the, premeire heavy band out there, Christian or not.
i think its awesome that theyve started using more christian based lyrics agins. the last two albums werent very focussed on that and thats why their drummer left. i think that was a wake up to them. this song, to me at least, is talking about being proud of your cross, using it to make yourself look better than anyone else. unfortunately God doesnt respond to self-centredness. nothing will be the outcome. pretty sweet lyrics
i think its awesome that theyve started using more christian based lyrics agins. the last two albums werent very focussed on that and thats why their drummer left. i think that was a wake up to them. this song, to me at least, is talking about being proud of your cross, using it to make yourself look better than anyone else. unfortunately God doesnt respond to self-centredness. nothing will be the outcome. pretty sweet lyrics
Redeemer and Oh God the Aftermath was full of Christian lyrics, you sure that's why he left?
Redeemer and Oh God the Aftermath was full of Christian lyrics, you sure that's why he left?
and NJSoldier, thanks for your input. I couldn't figure out what cause they would be singing about. Another powerful song by them.
I absolutely love the line "You wear that cross like a crown, you wear that cross like a dagger."
So true to today's society.
Stevo937, could you please explain what this line means for me?
"You wear that cross like a crown, you wear that cross like a dagger."