"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.
Live, I wanna live inspired
Die, I wanna die for something
Facing towards the heavens
I fell into a pitch black
I'm moments from landing and I'm shaking like a heart attack
Is the time, can I turn back
I've made mistakes in the past
Need a chance, can't take it back
Wish I could set things right tonight
[Chorus]
Live, I wanna live inspired
Die, I wanna die for something higher than myself
Live and die for anyone else
The more I live I see this life's not about me
All I know spins out of control
Wonder what's next for heart and soul
Nothing I earned can save me now
Hearing one day be my final hour
Is the time, can I turn back
I've made mistakes in the past
Need a chance, can't take it back
Wish I could set things right tonight
[Chorus]
Don't wanna leave this world knowing I preach in vain
Looked out for myself, so sorry so ashamed
Don't wanna leave this life knowing I barely tried
Chased all my dreams that I can't weigh on the inside
Live, I wanna live on fire
Die, I wanna burn out brighter
Brighter than the Northern lights
Wanna live to feel the daylight
The more I live I see that this life's not about me
Die, I wanna die for something
Facing towards the heavens
I fell into a pitch black
I'm moments from landing and I'm shaking like a heart attack
Is the time, can I turn back
I've made mistakes in the past
Need a chance, can't take it back
Wish I could set things right tonight
[Chorus]
Live, I wanna live inspired
Die, I wanna die for something higher than myself
Live and die for anyone else
The more I live I see this life's not about me
All I know spins out of control
Wonder what's next for heart and soul
Nothing I earned can save me now
Hearing one day be my final hour
Is the time, can I turn back
I've made mistakes in the past
Need a chance, can't take it back
Wish I could set things right tonight
[Chorus]
Don't wanna leave this world knowing I preach in vain
Looked out for myself, so sorry so ashamed
Don't wanna leave this life knowing I barely tried
Chased all my dreams that I can't weigh on the inside
Live, I wanna live on fire
Die, I wanna burn out brighter
Brighter than the Northern lights
Wanna live to feel the daylight
The more I live I see that this life's not about me
Lyrics submitted by reginakitteh
Burn Out Brighter (Northern Lights) Lyrics as written by Deon Rexroat Christian Edwin Mcalhaney
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, O/B/O DistroKid
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I really like this song, especially the Live; I wanna live inspired. Die; I wanna die for something lines and their variations. I think this song is about someone nearing the end of this life (All I know spins out of control. Wonder what's next for heart and soul. Nothing I have can save me now. Here in what maybe my final hour.)
They are facing the unknown with a bit of fear and anticipation. Part of this song is about regretting time spend on mistakes and foolish things, while the other part is very hopefully and talks about making the most of the time we have left and living like Christ.
I also love this line "Racing towards the heavens" 1 Cor. 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.