"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.
Come closer to the window-frame
Window to the dark and the field of snow
I saw you running like summer-flame
Running through the grass
Turning gold to black
Oh, turn the dirt over
If you want to grow back
Oh! open up the shutters
See the moonlight on
The snow
On the snow
You left your brother in a northern town
Took the ferry o'er the water on the bay
His body covered by the colors going down
A statue in the square before the wind could change
Oh, turn the water over
If you want to flow down
Oh! open up the shutters
See the falling snow
The falling snow
Come softly to the window frame
Window through the dark and the fields of snow
I saw you running like a summer-flame
Running through the grass
Turning gold to black
Oh, turn the dirt over
If you want to grow back
Oh, open up the shutters
See the moonlight on
The snow
See the moonlight on
The snow
On the snow
Window to the dark and the field of snow
I saw you running like summer-flame
Running through the grass
Turning gold to black
Oh, turn the dirt over
If you want to grow back
Oh! open up the shutters
See the moonlight on
The snow
On the snow
You left your brother in a northern town
Took the ferry o'er the water on the bay
His body covered by the colors going down
A statue in the square before the wind could change
Oh, turn the water over
If you want to flow down
Oh! open up the shutters
See the falling snow
The falling snow
Come softly to the window frame
Window through the dark and the fields of snow
I saw you running like a summer-flame
Running through the grass
Turning gold to black
Oh, turn the dirt over
If you want to grow back
Oh, open up the shutters
See the moonlight on
The snow
See the moonlight on
The snow
On the snow
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
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Alex wrote this song after he lost his brother in a fire (he was a firefighter). That is what he said influenced this song. He is also referring to himself in the lyric "you left your brother in a northern town". Just saw him last night, LOVE this band!
I saw him last night in SF on his solo tour. He spoke briefly and emotionally about writing the song for his brother before playing it. Wow. It's a sad and beautiful song. I grew up in Seattle and remember the warehouse fire his brother and 3 other firefighters died.
I agree with the other two comments, but the great thing about Alex's songs is that their interpretations can extend to a more general feeling that everyone experiences. This song speaks about being haunted by death and regret, and specifically how to overcome grief and regret. To "turn a new leaf" so to speak.
He is seeing the "summer-flame" in a dark time in his life, which I think winter for him embodies. He is nostalgic for the person running through the grass, whoever it may be (apparently his brother, who had died).
The whole album, to me, is his catharsis.
Yet, he advises ones struggling to "see the moonlight on the snow."
What a lovely song. The nature themes are woven so beautifully throughout the album, and the strings complement them so perfectly.
If you can't tell already, I'm in love with Sea Wolf.