"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.
She's at home all alone
I wanna call her on the phone
Whatcha doin' right now?
Out of luck
Pick me up somewhere in Santa Monica
So sick of this town
(Gotta get out, get out)
Let's roll out
No stressin'
Go grab your Dolce dress
It's so simple, it's crazy
The way I'm feelin' lately
Take my angel out to Vegas
Gonna leave LA
So over Hollywood
She drives me crazy
Feels so outrageous
Can't get enough
Tonight's the night
That she turns twenty-one
Let's pretend this won't end
Another drink
So many friends
Feeling so good
Yeah, we're all right
We've been up, we've been down
We let the world spin us round
Take my hand
Let's go all night, yeah
'Cause when I'm by your side
I start to get this feeling
Everything will be cool
And I keep on believin', baby
The stars I'm seein'
Take my angel out to Vegas
Gonna leave LA
So over Hollywood
She drives me crazy
Feels so outrageous
Can't get enough
Tonight's the night
That she turns twenty-one
I'll take you out to Vegas
Maybe we'll get married
Maybe we'll get rich
(Hah, that'd be nice)
She drives me crazy
Feels so outrageous
Can't get enough
Tonight's the night
That she turns twenty-one
Take my angel out to Vegas
Gonna leave LA
So over Hollywood
She drives me crazy
Feels so outrageous
Can't get enough
Tonight's the night
That she turns twenty-one
Tonight's the night
That she turns twenty-one
I wanna call her on the phone
Whatcha doin' right now?
Out of luck
Pick me up somewhere in Santa Monica
So sick of this town
(Gotta get out, get out)
Let's roll out
No stressin'
Go grab your Dolce dress
It's so simple, it's crazy
The way I'm feelin' lately
Take my angel out to Vegas
Gonna leave LA
So over Hollywood
She drives me crazy
Feels so outrageous
Can't get enough
Tonight's the night
That she turns twenty-one
Let's pretend this won't end
Another drink
So many friends
Feeling so good
Yeah, we're all right
We've been up, we've been down
We let the world spin us round
Take my hand
Let's go all night, yeah
'Cause when I'm by your side
I start to get this feeling
Everything will be cool
And I keep on believin', baby
The stars I'm seein'
Take my angel out to Vegas
Gonna leave LA
So over Hollywood
She drives me crazy
Feels so outrageous
Can't get enough
Tonight's the night
That she turns twenty-one
I'll take you out to Vegas
Maybe we'll get married
Maybe we'll get rich
(Hah, that'd be nice)
She drives me crazy
Feels so outrageous
Can't get enough
Tonight's the night
That she turns twenty-one
Take my angel out to Vegas
Gonna leave LA
So over Hollywood
She drives me crazy
Feels so outrageous
Can't get enough
Tonight's the night
That she turns twenty-one
Tonight's the night
That she turns twenty-one
Lyrics submitted by thoseguiltyeyes
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
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
This song isn't going to feature on their upcoming album :( but if you wanna listen to it, I got a hold of it back when they had it on their Myspace player.
youtube.com/watch