"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.
Ten thousand times I could tell you over,
How many times I would rip through walls and ticking a typing.
I wrote a library of books in that back closet.
Scraping at the walls, with my knees in a magazine.
Roll her on out just to slide her back in.
Unravelling rolls into their machinery and click away.
This was where you could embrace misery.
With enough energy you could talk yourself out of anything.
A mind in flight, full of addiction; a circulating masterpiece
This glorious night, as I trip the horizon turns vertical.
I'd burn this place down if I had a match.
My nicotine hands are shaking.
A frantic voice is at the other side of the receiver.
"Won't you even tell me a portion of the problem?"
I grab a fist full of air and lunge at your face.
How many times I would rip through walls and ticking a typing.
I wrote a library of books in that back closet.
Scraping at the walls, with my knees in a magazine.
Roll her on out just to slide her back in.
Unravelling rolls into their machinery and click away.
This was where you could embrace misery.
With enough energy you could talk yourself out of anything.
A mind in flight, full of addiction; a circulating masterpiece
This glorious night, as I trip the horizon turns vertical.
I'd burn this place down if I had a match.
My nicotine hands are shaking.
A frantic voice is at the other side of the receiver.
"Won't you even tell me a portion of the problem?"
I grab a fist full of air and lunge at your face.
Lyrics submitted by Turk Turkleton
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
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
The final track. Pretty epic for my standards.
the solo is such a boner
Ten thousand times.
so effing epic :D
I could listen to this "ten thousand times" in a row ;)
Insane incredible song!
Insane incredible song!
the song is about becoming a slave to a corporate job.
Wow. The final song off their final album. Definitely worthy of that spot.