"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 guess now is a good time to tell the truth
The pedigree I carry will swallow you
I am not what you are
Foolish in every way
Inside of you
And I'm watching you
Sad, sad sight before the so so eyes
And they're heavy for the weakest of minds
You got the boys the boys oh so fine
Oh but I know you're wasting your time
Go, go
You can the ghost in my hall
You can be the smile I don't want
I will be the fly on your wall
You can be the distance in between
You can be everything I need
You will be the girl I don't call
Oh just imagine what I thought
When I opened up that door
There was a million things you want
Oh just imagine what they'll think
When they see me lead you on
And I'll be losing sleep
No, no
You can the ghost in my hall
You can be the smile I don't want
I will be the fly on your wall
You will be the distance in between
You can be everything I need
You will be the girl I don't call
It's so wrong
So wrong
It's so wrong
You can be ghost in my hall
You can be the smile I don't want
I will be the fly on your
You can be ghost in my hall
You can be the smile I don't want
I will be the fly on your wall
You will be the distance in between
You will be everything I need
You will be the girl I don't call
Jealous minds think alike
You're a dent in time
I'm wasting all my time
You're already gone
Jealous minds think alike
You're a dent in time
I'm wasting all my time
You're already gone
The pedigree I carry will swallow you
I am not what you are
Foolish in every way
Inside of you
And I'm watching you
Sad, sad sight before the so so eyes
And they're heavy for the weakest of minds
You got the boys the boys oh so fine
Oh but I know you're wasting your time
Go, go
You can the ghost in my hall
You can be the smile I don't want
I will be the fly on your wall
You can be the distance in between
You can be everything I need
You will be the girl I don't call
Oh just imagine what I thought
When I opened up that door
There was a million things you want
Oh just imagine what they'll think
When they see me lead you on
And I'll be losing sleep
No, no
You can the ghost in my hall
You can be the smile I don't want
I will be the fly on your wall
You will be the distance in between
You can be everything I need
You will be the girl I don't call
It's so wrong
So wrong
It's so wrong
You can be ghost in my hall
You can be the smile I don't want
I will be the fly on your
You can be ghost in my hall
You can be the smile I don't want
I will be the fly on your wall
You will be the distance in between
You will be everything I need
You will be the girl I don't call
Jealous minds think alike
You're a dent in time
I'm wasting all my time
You're already gone
Jealous minds think alike
You're a dent in time
I'm wasting all my time
You're already gone
Lyrics submitted by righton,rightnow.
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.