"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.
Illygirl, Illygirl, Illygirl, Illygirl
Daddy can be rough
That's why I can be tough
Thick skin
Even when it comes to little bit of love
Around doing stuff
Police put me in cuffs
Eat a dick, damn right
I am a diamond in the rough
Illygirl, Illygirl, Illygirl, Illygirl
Shirts, tops, tees
I'm always in tight jeans
I know Billie Jean
I know Bruce Springsteen
I also know Palestine
And mujahideen
Playing Tekken on the weekend
Eating Mangosteen
Illygirl, Illygirl, Illygirl, Illygirl
Beat beat machine
Trying to stream with my team
I'm forming a bomb
Have you heard my dream?
Even Martin Luther schemed
So I put it down
Then I try to explain what it means
Daddy can be rough
That's why I can be tough
Thick skin
Even when it comes to little bit of love
Around doing stuff
Police put me in cuffs
Eat a dick, damn right
I am a diamond in the rough
Illygirl, Illygirl, Illygirl, Illygirl
Shirts, tops, tees
I'm always in tight jeans
I know Billie Jean
I know Bruce Springsteen
I also know Palestine
And mujahideen
Playing Tekken on the weekend
Eating Mangosteen
Illygirl, Illygirl, Illygirl, Illygirl
Beat beat machine
Trying to stream with my team
I'm forming a bomb
Have you heard my dream?
Even Martin Luther schemed
So I put it down
Then I try to explain what it means
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,
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/
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.
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.
I kinda think that Illygirl is something similar to Britney Spears "If You Seek Amy" and no I don't mean the songs are similar in any way at all. I mean how the lyrics are done. If You Seek Amy is a clever way of saying F-U-C-K Me. I think she's saying I'm an illygirl really meaning "I'm an illegal" which is why she references Police, Billie Jean & Bruce Springsteen, Martin Luther, etc. It wouldn't be the first time M.I.A. has done a song involving politics.
Very well said! I've a dj friend who actually wants to name the remix he's working on for this track (Illegal Immigrants Mix).