"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.
Mr Krabs: Are you ready?!
SpongeBob: Iiiiiii’m READY! I’m ready!…
Mr Krabs: Arr, lad! Are you ready?!
SpongeBob: …I’m ready! I’m ready! (laughs)
Verse 1:
All right, stop what you’re doin’, cause I’m about to ruin
The animated style that you’re used to.
I’m shaped funny… (*SB: laugh*) But yo, soon everybody’ll see,
The whole world that’s down way under the sea.
Now you all oughta, watch with your son or daughter,
All my nautical nonsense in the underwater. (**)
I’ll eat up all the jellyfish jam you got on your shelf, (*?*)
So just let me introduce myself.
My name is SpongeBob, pronounced with an ‘-OngeBob’.
Flipping burgers sure really is a fun job,
And all the Krabby Patties I make,
are for the twelve-thirty lunch mob.
I got your order up! (*sfx: ding!*) Here in Bikini Bottom,
You want the best meal? The Krusty Krab’s got ‘em!
Bun, patty, lettuce, cheese, onions’ sweet odor,
Tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, pickles, bun, in that order!
I’m ready, see! (gasp!) Look, Plankton’s back! (*Pl: Ha ha!*)
And he wants the secret recipe,
But that’s some info that he’ll never get from me!
Plankton: C’Mon SpongeBob! Those buns, are they sesame?
Mr. Krabs: Arr, that’s enough of that! (*sfx: toink! Pl: Aaah!*) Now listen up, Spongey,
You swab the deck, while I count up all me money!
When I clean, (*sfx: cleaning) I spin around and go boom.
I once got dizzy in the Krusty Krab bathroom!
I’m crazy, (**) but Squidward here will save me!
Squidward: Take your spatula and kindly go away please!
The employee of the month is my stance,
And I even got my own dance!
Chorus 1:
(Lead vocals by SpongeBob, Main background vocals sung in unison by Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Squidward, & Plankton, with their individual lines shown:)
SpongeBob SquarePants, here’s your chance, to do the Sponge!
Patrick: Oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: C’Mon! Uh! Do the Spongey Sponge, come on and do the Spongey Sponge!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Mr. Krabs: Oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Check it out, y’all! Do the Spongey Sponge, just watch me do the Spongey Sponge!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Squidward: Oh, oh, oh oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Yeah, do you know what I’m doin? Doin’ the Spongey Sponge!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Plankton: Oh, oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: C’mon! Do the Spongey Sponge, ha!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Verse 2:
Patrick says, (Patrick:) Yo SpongeBob, uhh, let’s do some jellyfishin’!
Starfish as dumb as the rock that he lives in.
We’ll laugh and prance, because we’re best buds,
And we’re happy, until a jellyfish zaps me! (*sfx: jf zap*)
And now our plan, see, is to visit Sandy
In her bubble dome land tree. (*SC: Howdy SB!*)
With this squirrel girl, adventure’s nothing to fear,
But if you ever mess with Texas, she just might kick your rear! (*SC: punch*)
And then there’s Squidward, (*Sq: A-Heeehh*) quite grumpy I’m afraid.
His Easter Island head is where his clarinet’s played.
He’ll tirade ‘til his eighties, but hey, I don’t care!
Both how I’m livin’ and my pants are square!
I get scary! (*SB: ooh*) Hang with a lobster named Larry.
I give a bath to my pet snail (*sfx: Meow!*) called Gary.
I hang at the Goo Lagoon, surf sand particles,
And when I crash, shout, “Ah, tartar-sauce barnacles!”
I go to school so I can learn to drive, (*sfx: SB driving w/ Mrs Puff*)
Mrs. Puff after each class says she’s happy to be alive.
So if you’re down with the absorbent and the yellow and porous,
Then join along and sing the chorus!
Chorus 2:
(Lead vocals by SpongeBob, Main background vocals sung in unison by Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Squidward, & Plankton, with their individual lines shown:)
SpongeBob SquarePants, here’s your chance, to do the Sponge!
SpongeBob: C’Mon! Yeah, fishy baby!
Patrick: Oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: C’mon! Uh! Do the Spongey Sponge!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Mr. Krabs: Oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Fishy baby! Everybody! C’mon and do the Spongey Sponge!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Squidward: Oh, oh, oh oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Uh, do you know what we’re doin? We’re doin’ the Spongey Sponge, y’all!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Plankton: Oh, oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Uh! Do the Spongey Sponge, watch me do the Spongey Sponge!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Breakdown:
Mr. Krabs: Arr, that be the break, y’all. Mr. Squidward! Let me hear a little bit of that bass groove right here!
Squidward: A-doo-reer, doo-ree. A-doo-reer, doo-ree.
Mr. Krabs: Ag ag ag ag ag ag!
Patrick: Hey SpongeBob, uhh, now that you’ve told us a little bit about yourself, uhh, why don’t you tell us a little bit about this dance?
SpongeBob: Well it’s really easy to do Patrick. Check it out!
Verse 3:
First I go like this, spin around and then stop, man!
Double take three times, pelvic thrust and then stomp, and
(*sfx: rip*) Rip my pants cause it’s funny! (laugh)
Squidward says (Squidward:) You like like a brillo pad gone mad, dummy!
That’s all right, cause I’m rockin’ this ocean.
Bring it around town, always causin’ a commotion!
Bubble blowing’s quite the same. (*sfx: bubbles*)
This is my technique, SquarePants is my name!
No two fishes will do it the same,
Just have some F-U-N, and forget about your brain!
Rockin’, (*SC: Hi-Yah!*) Karate Choppin’, (*sfx: hooked noise*)
Now you’re hooked, to the bottom you’ll drop!
So if you got your air helmet, then come on and take the plunge,
You just step off, (*sfx: splash*) you’re doin’ the Sponge!
Chorus 3:
(Lead vocals by SpongeBob, Main background vocals sung in unison by Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Squidward, & Plankton, with their individual lines shown:)
SpongeBob SquarePants, here’s your chance, to do the Sponge!
Patrick: Oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Everybody! Uh, a-Do the Spongey Sponge, come on and do the Spongey Sponge!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Mr. Krabs: Oh oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Fishy baby! Uh! A-Do the Spongey Sponge!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Squidward: Oh, oh, oh oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Do you know what I’m doin’? We’re doin’ the Spongey Sponge, y’all! Uh!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Plankton: Oh, oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Watch me do the Spongey Sponge, Uh, Check it out!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Chorus 4:
Patrick: Oh, oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Mr. Krabs: Oh, oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: C’mon! The Flying Dutchman!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Squidward: Oh, oh, oh oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: King Neptune! Just keep on doin’ the Sponge!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Plankton: Oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Even Patchy the Pirate! Aw yeah!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Plankton: I’ve got a Krabby Patty! The secret formula will soon be mine! Ha ha ha! (etc.)
Mr. Krabs: Mother of Pearl! Mr. Squidward!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge (4 line stanza repeats as usual)
Mr. Krabs: Stop that scurvy scoundrel! (etc.)
Squidward: Aye aye, Mr. Krabs! Get back here you! (etc.)
Patrick: Underwater rhymes! Underwater rhymes, underwater rhymes! (repeats)
SpongeBob: Once again, the underwater is in the pineapple! I’d like to send a shout out to the whole ocean! Keep on doin’ the Spongy Dance! And to the ladies, Pants and Spongy-ness forever! (laugh)
SpongeBob: Iiiiiii’m READY! I’m ready!…
Mr Krabs: Arr, lad! Are you ready?!
SpongeBob: …I’m ready! I’m ready! (laughs)
Verse 1:
All right, stop what you’re doin’, cause I’m about to ruin
The animated style that you’re used to.
I’m shaped funny… (*SB: laugh*) But yo, soon everybody’ll see,
The whole world that’s down way under the sea.
Now you all oughta, watch with your son or daughter,
All my nautical nonsense in the underwater. (**)
I’ll eat up all the jellyfish jam you got on your shelf, (*?*)
So just let me introduce myself.
My name is SpongeBob, pronounced with an ‘-OngeBob’.
Flipping burgers sure really is a fun job,
And all the Krabby Patties I make,
are for the twelve-thirty lunch mob.
I got your order up! (*sfx: ding!*) Here in Bikini Bottom,
You want the best meal? The Krusty Krab’s got ‘em!
Bun, patty, lettuce, cheese, onions’ sweet odor,
Tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, pickles, bun, in that order!
I’m ready, see! (gasp!) Look, Plankton’s back! (*Pl: Ha ha!*)
And he wants the secret recipe,
But that’s some info that he’ll never get from me!
Plankton: C’Mon SpongeBob! Those buns, are they sesame?
Mr. Krabs: Arr, that’s enough of that! (*sfx: toink! Pl: Aaah!*) Now listen up, Spongey,
You swab the deck, while I count up all me money!
When I clean, (*sfx: cleaning) I spin around and go boom.
I once got dizzy in the Krusty Krab bathroom!
I’m crazy, (**) but Squidward here will save me!
Squidward: Take your spatula and kindly go away please!
The employee of the month is my stance,
And I even got my own dance!
Chorus 1:
(Lead vocals by SpongeBob, Main background vocals sung in unison by Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Squidward, & Plankton, with their individual lines shown:)
SpongeBob SquarePants, here’s your chance, to do the Sponge!
Patrick: Oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: C’Mon! Uh! Do the Spongey Sponge, come on and do the Spongey Sponge!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Mr. Krabs: Oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Check it out, y’all! Do the Spongey Sponge, just watch me do the Spongey Sponge!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Squidward: Oh, oh, oh oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Yeah, do you know what I’m doin? Doin’ the Spongey Sponge!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Plankton: Oh, oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: C’mon! Do the Spongey Sponge, ha!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Verse 2:
Patrick says, (Patrick:) Yo SpongeBob, uhh, let’s do some jellyfishin’!
Starfish as dumb as the rock that he lives in.
We’ll laugh and prance, because we’re best buds,
And we’re happy, until a jellyfish zaps me! (*sfx: jf zap*)
And now our plan, see, is to visit Sandy
In her bubble dome land tree. (*SC: Howdy SB!*)
With this squirrel girl, adventure’s nothing to fear,
But if you ever mess with Texas, she just might kick your rear! (*SC: punch*)
And then there’s Squidward, (*Sq: A-Heeehh*) quite grumpy I’m afraid.
His Easter Island head is where his clarinet’s played.
He’ll tirade ‘til his eighties, but hey, I don’t care!
Both how I’m livin’ and my pants are square!
I get scary! (*SB: ooh*) Hang with a lobster named Larry.
I give a bath to my pet snail (*sfx: Meow!*) called Gary.
I hang at the Goo Lagoon, surf sand particles,
And when I crash, shout, “Ah, tartar-sauce barnacles!”
I go to school so I can learn to drive, (*sfx: SB driving w/ Mrs Puff*)
Mrs. Puff after each class says she’s happy to be alive.
So if you’re down with the absorbent and the yellow and porous,
Then join along and sing the chorus!
Chorus 2:
(Lead vocals by SpongeBob, Main background vocals sung in unison by Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Squidward, & Plankton, with their individual lines shown:)
SpongeBob SquarePants, here’s your chance, to do the Sponge!
SpongeBob: C’Mon! Yeah, fishy baby!
Patrick: Oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: C’mon! Uh! Do the Spongey Sponge!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Mr. Krabs: Oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Fishy baby! Everybody! C’mon and do the Spongey Sponge!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Squidward: Oh, oh, oh oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Uh, do you know what we’re doin? We’re doin’ the Spongey Sponge, y’all!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Plankton: Oh, oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Uh! Do the Spongey Sponge, watch me do the Spongey Sponge!
A-Do the Spongey Sponge, a-do the Spongey Sponge!
Breakdown:
Mr. Krabs: Arr, that be the break, y’all. Mr. Squidward! Let me hear a little bit of that bass groove right here!
Squidward: A-doo-reer, doo-ree. A-doo-reer, doo-ree.
Mr. Krabs: Ag ag ag ag ag ag!
Patrick: Hey SpongeBob, uhh, now that you’ve told us a little bit about yourself, uhh, why don’t you tell us a little bit about this dance?
SpongeBob: Well it’s really easy to do Patrick. Check it out!
Verse 3:
First I go like this, spin around and then stop, man!
Double take three times, pelvic thrust and then stomp, and
(*sfx: rip*) Rip my pants cause it’s funny! (laugh)
Squidward says (Squidward:) You like like a brillo pad gone mad, dummy!
That’s all right, cause I’m rockin’ this ocean.
Bring it around town, always causin’ a commotion!
Bubble blowing’s quite the same. (*sfx: bubbles*)
This is my technique, SquarePants is my name!
No two fishes will do it the same,
Just have some F-U-N, and forget about your brain!
Rockin’, (*SC: Hi-Yah!*) Karate Choppin’, (*sfx: hooked noise*)
Now you’re hooked, to the bottom you’ll drop!
So if you got your air helmet, then come on and take the plunge,
You just step off, (*sfx: splash*) you’re doin’ the Sponge!
Chorus 3:
(Lead vocals by SpongeBob, Main background vocals sung in unison by Patrick, Mr. Krabs, Squidward, & Plankton, with their individual lines shown:)
SpongeBob SquarePants, here’s your chance, to do the Sponge!
Patrick: Oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Everybody! Uh, a-Do the Spongey Sponge, come on and do the Spongey Sponge!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Mr. Krabs: Oh oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Fishy baby! Uh! A-Do the Spongey Sponge!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Squidward: Oh, oh, oh oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Do you know what I’m doin’? We’re doin’ the Spongey Sponge, y’all! Uh!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Plankton: Oh, oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Watch me do the Spongey Sponge, Uh, Check it out!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Chorus 4:
Patrick: Oh, oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Mr. Krabs: Oh, oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: C’mon! The Flying Dutchman!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Squidward: Oh, oh, oh oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: King Neptune! Just keep on doin’ the Sponge!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Plankton: Oh oh, SpongeBob SquarePants!
SpongeBob: Even Patchy the Pirate! Aw yeah!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge!
Plankton: I’ve got a Krabby Patty! The secret formula will soon be mine! Ha ha ha! (etc.)
Mr. Krabs: Mother of Pearl! Mr. Squidward!
Do the Spongey Sponge, do the Spongey Sponge (4 line stanza repeats as usual)
Mr. Krabs: Stop that scurvy scoundrel! (etc.)
Squidward: Aye aye, Mr. Krabs! Get back here you! (etc.)
Patrick: Underwater rhymes! Underwater rhymes, underwater rhymes! (repeats)
SpongeBob: Once again, the underwater is in the pineapple! I’d like to send a shout out to the whole ocean! Keep on doin’ the Spongy Dance! And to the ladies, Pants and Spongy-ness forever! (laugh)
Lyrics submitted by JohnnyLurg
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
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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.