"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.
With my out of tune guitar we walked from bar to bar
We were only 17 but we were going to be stars
Came across a man who could stop the world with a clap of his hands
Said you've got the attitude. Who's got the attitude for rock?
But she was never going to be a star
She would swim rivers
And climb mountains far away
But who caught the maid and made her come?
When she was shining like the rising sun
Shining like the rising sun
You shine like the sun
So welcome to the town where drag queens made the cash
Selling kids acid tabs. We tried to find their stash
But acid’s no good. So I got over that. I’m much too old for taking crap
And who’s got the attitude for ice now?
Oh he was never meant to be a boy
He would climb rivers
And swim mountains the wrong way
But who caught the babe and made him cry?
Oh I wanted you but your eyes don’t shine like they used to
God I want it all but you guys don’t like all the old songs
Old songs, new songs, everybody write, write on
Little honey we can write all night, write on
As long as you’ve got stars in your eyes you keep me coming back to you
Keep me coming, keep, keep me coming
Oh I wanted you but your eyes don’t shine like they used to
God I want it all but you guys don’t like all the old songs
So write on, write on.
As long as you’ve got stars in your eyes you keep me coming back to you
Oh she was never going to be a star
But who has got the attitude from love anyway?
We were only 17 but we were going to be stars
Came across a man who could stop the world with a clap of his hands
Said you've got the attitude. Who's got the attitude for rock?
But she was never going to be a star
She would swim rivers
And climb mountains far away
But who caught the maid and made her come?
When she was shining like the rising sun
Shining like the rising sun
You shine like the sun
So welcome to the town where drag queens made the cash
Selling kids acid tabs. We tried to find their stash
But acid’s no good. So I got over that. I’m much too old for taking crap
And who’s got the attitude for ice now?
Oh he was never meant to be a boy
He would climb rivers
And swim mountains the wrong way
But who caught the babe and made him cry?
Oh I wanted you but your eyes don’t shine like they used to
God I want it all but you guys don’t like all the old songs
Old songs, new songs, everybody write, write on
Little honey we can write all night, write on
As long as you’ve got stars in your eyes you keep me coming back to you
Keep me coming, keep, keep me coming
Oh I wanted you but your eyes don’t shine like they used to
God I want it all but you guys don’t like all the old songs
So write on, write on.
As long as you’ve got stars in your eyes you keep me coming back to you
Oh she was never going to be a star
But who has got the attitude from love anyway?
Lyrics submitted by SimplySimon
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
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
why is there only four comments for one of the best songs of all time! i love the references to drugs in this song and the highness of hayleys voice in the last lines. i think this song is about two teenagers (boy and girl) having fun times playing music on the streets.