"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.
Inside we would kiss lips
and outside causing mischief
We used to run tag run, frozen unfrozen,
We were the kids that caused the commotion
Yes we were mischeivous, never were we burglars
Wish we'd play now that we are older
I miss you I miss you and that is a fact
But you've got a man and I ain't no burglar.
Keys in the sofa somwhere outta sight
You in my sweater with entirely different lines
And eyeliner on my shoulder and where did we go?
I wish I could see you some more
But your man's probably sick and tired of me
He's a siren to slow inevitable thieves
We used to run tag run, frozen unfrozen,
We were the kids that caused the commotion
Yes we were mischeivous but never were we burglars
Wish we'd play now that we are older
I miss you I miss you and that is a fact
But you've got a man and I ain't no burglar.
You and me, I think we've had too much to drink
How did we ever get our lives in sync
Boobless adolescence and an interested in Morrisey
is what kept us apart from burglars trying to come in between
The sirens that slow inevitable theives
We used to run tag run, frozen unfrozen,
Kidnap your friends before they get stolen
Yes we were mischeivous but never were we burglars
Wish we'd play now that we are older
I miss you I miss you and that is a fact
But you've got a man and I ain't no burglar.
Lets steal away. Those sirens chase us further away [repeats]
That's what we get for being young and in love [repeats]
and outside causing mischief
We used to run tag run, frozen unfrozen,
We were the kids that caused the commotion
Yes we were mischeivous, never were we burglars
Wish we'd play now that we are older
I miss you I miss you and that is a fact
But you've got a man and I ain't no burglar.
Keys in the sofa somwhere outta sight
You in my sweater with entirely different lines
And eyeliner on my shoulder and where did we go?
I wish I could see you some more
But your man's probably sick and tired of me
He's a siren to slow inevitable thieves
We used to run tag run, frozen unfrozen,
We were the kids that caused the commotion
Yes we were mischeivous but never were we burglars
Wish we'd play now that we are older
I miss you I miss you and that is a fact
But you've got a man and I ain't no burglar.
You and me, I think we've had too much to drink
How did we ever get our lives in sync
Boobless adolescence and an interested in Morrisey
is what kept us apart from burglars trying to come in between
The sirens that slow inevitable theives
We used to run tag run, frozen unfrozen,
Kidnap your friends before they get stolen
Yes we were mischeivous but never were we burglars
Wish we'd play now that we are older
I miss you I miss you and that is a fact
But you've got a man and I ain't no burglar.
Lets steal away. Those sirens chase us further away [repeats]
That's what we get for being young and in love [repeats]
Lyrics submitted by smallgirl
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
This song is one of the greatest! It's obviously about a guy who still has a crush on the girl he used to play with when they were younger but now she's in a relationship and he's not planning on ruining it or stealing her away he's considered an inevitable thieve because he's an obvious threat Love the beat and the piano piece in the background :)
Goodness, I'm really touched that somebody cared enough about one of our tracks to write down the lyrics. Not to mention, discuss them some. Thank you Laurie. <br /> <br /> I shouldn't spoil the fun, but the lyrics are ALMOST dead on up there. Two exceptions:<br /> <br /> <br />
1 <br />
You and me, I think we've had too much to "dream"<br /> How did we ever get our lives in sync<br /> Boobless adolescence and "our interest" in Morrisey<br /> is what kept us apart from burglars trying to come in between<br /> The sirens that slow inevitable thieves<br /> <br />
2<br />
Lets steal away. "Else" sirens chase us further away<br /> <br /> BTW, I think I like the interpreted lyrics more ;) <br /> <br /> *Bryan<br /> <br />