"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.
As by the door to get to Heaven
Seven trumpets big and bright
You hear it coming in the middle of the night
A caution to the children
Time to turn your crimson white
We've all got reservations
Trials will come suddenly
And without explanation
But you were born with goodness
You were born with goodness
Wherever you go now
I'm right behind you
In the light of hope
I'll be beside you
On that dusty road
And if you get blind, well that's alright
Wicked winds blow with grace and might
Cling to the ways of my name
When you touch the stone
Break your word over me
Sinking in the quicksand
Break your word
Don't you see?
You're breaking me down now
I'm right behind you
In the light of hope
I'll be beside you on that dusty road
When no one expects you to deny
And no one accepts your reasons why
You cling to the ways of my name
When you touch the stone
No one expects you to deny
And no one accepts your reasons why
You cling to the ways of my name
When you touch the stone
Seven trumpets big and bright
You hear it coming in the middle of the night
A caution to the children
Time to turn your crimson white
We've all got reservations
Trials will come suddenly
And without explanation
But you were born with goodness
You were born with goodness
Wherever you go now
I'm right behind you
In the light of hope
I'll be beside you
On that dusty road
And if you get blind, well that's alright
Wicked winds blow with grace and might
Cling to the ways of my name
When you touch the stone
Break your word over me
Sinking in the quicksand
Break your word
Don't you see?
You're breaking me down now
I'm right behind you
In the light of hope
I'll be beside you on that dusty road
When no one expects you to deny
And no one accepts your reasons why
You cling to the ways of my name
When you touch the stone
No one expects you to deny
And no one accepts your reasons why
You cling to the ways of my name
When you touch the stone
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I love this song! I can't get it out of my head. It's like straight out of the Book of Revelation.
To me, it sounds like "And if you get blind, well that's alright" and "When you touch the stone."
And I'm pretty sure "I break your word over me" is just "Break your word, over me." I see it as him singing from God's perspective and "I break.." wouldn't really make sense.
Corrected.
The way i interpret this song is a narrative from a person who has died, addressing the person they love. A few reasons for this, when he mentions trials coming suddenly and without explanation, I imagine he is talking about untimely deaths; when he talks about being born with goodness, this is reassurance to the person that they are capable of coping. As well as this i think the line 'Wherever you Go Now' is juxtaposed with the chorus to say 'wherever you go now I'm right behind you'. 'In the light of hope' is maybe referencing the person's faith that Flowers is singing to, kind of like, "you're hoping to be with me again, and i am with you, which is why it is light'. 'When you touch the stone' I think is the person visiting his gravestone and clinging on to his memory through their grief. When Flowers says 'No-one expects you to deny and, and no-one accepts your reasons why' i think hes talking about how other people expect the person to move on, and don't see why they keep clinging to his memory. That's me done, sorry if i bored you. But it's an amazing song :)
This song reminds me of 2 people of whom I'm aware of, who had something special in common, and both adore each other, no matter what's gone on in their lives. One is darkened and trapped by friends/environment, and doesn't see clearly of the situation. The other, perhaps- from a strong faith, is trying to reach out; someone who's seen who he really is and loves him unconditionally and is never giving up, always behind him no matter what. There is often a misconception from the other ones' part of the one's beliefs. It's not about waiting for him to be dead and meet again after. The faith doesn't encourage only to live when you're dead, but to live now and forever. <br /> I thought this song was a great inspiration for both.
Mormons believe in the 2nd coming of Christ, that he will come again. They believe that when he comes back, the angels will sound the trumpet, that's why they have an angel on top of their temple with the trumpet. They clothe in white in their temples. They too believe Jesus is always by them/behind them. Could be what this song means?
this song's my favourite in the album! If you get blind well tha's all right...it's like someone who's not from the same faith or background and perhaps lost in other paths, but there's always that friend who wants to walk with her/him even in dusty roads, an always be right behind. Not sure what it means: break your words over me, you're breaking me down now... could be the other person not allowing the other one to reach out and is cutting off from him/her, and the other one not giving up. Truly amazing song about true friendship!!!
This is my favourite! There is such a deep feeling in this song!
Doubting what the other thinks is only gonna bring more darkness and confusion. Being there for one another and believe in each other is the way. That's what the song is about. Make contacts.
Again a song of strong relationship, a promise to be there for each other in everything-i'm right behind you in the light of hope, i'll be beside you on that dusty road...; pretty straight forward. Most of Flamingo's album is orientated towards his faith and beliefs. I don't know much about his beliefs, but the Mormons are well known for sticking for each other. They're a solid community. There's definitely a sense of momonism in his album to be fair. I don't mind it, I like his songs and admire him.
It sounds a lot like the story of the Brother of Jared from the Book of Mormon. The brother of Jared (Mahonri Moriancumr) was an ancient prophet and had great faith. The Lord commanded him to build a ship that was completely sealed, the brother of Jared asked the Lord to touch some stones that he brought with him to the top of a mountain that they might glow and produce light. The Lord did this and afterwords he was permitted to see the spirit body of the Lord Jesus Christ. Interesting parallels.
I don't know what this song means, but it sucks. Let's not forget Flowers said that he wanted to write more spiritual lyrics, and there whatever it means to him, am not religious, I don't understand spiritual meanings/language, but agree with many, this song leaves you with a wam feeling.
While I'm not super Christian, I find myself drawn to this song. As somebody who knows what type of person Brandon Flowers is, I cannot believe that this song is ENTIRELY and only restricted to religious meaning. Look at his body of works (via The Killers and in his solo career): his lyrics are complex, and there is more than one dimension to most songs. I believe that this song is no different. There is absolutely no doubt that this song is dedicated to his religious faith...but at the same time,I choose to listen to it through the ears of a romantiscist. As so many other of the Flowers'/The Killers' songs have been made of, I believe this song carries some romanticism about it, although...again, I can't deny that it is deeply sprinkled with religious/spiritual inspiration.
Bottom line: Am I the only one who believes that Brandon Flowers is smart enough to realize that when he's writing these songs he is placing multi-dimensional emotions/emphases on them??????!
That's absolutely right, he used some religious references & personal feelings for someone he might care about. Perhaps romantic, or not, but sounds to me like someone who's protective, and he's always gonna be there for ya.