"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.
The world is not in your hands
Fuck the system
A systematic position
We've lost our minds
Oh, how we love it
Give it to me, give it all to me
Give it all you've got, give it all you've got girl
Give it to me, give it all to me
Keep up with me
Lay back and let go
Collision course on ignition
I've lost my decision to take me home
I'm just a little bit closer to find
I'm just a little bit closer to find that all I wanted I had
I'm on a collision course on ignition
I've lost my decision
The world is not in your hands
Fuck the system
A systematic position
I'm blacked out, and spun out, and I love the way itâ?¦
I love the way it feels
I don't feel at all
Keep up with me
Lay back and let go
Collision course on ignition
I've lost my decision to take me home
I'm just a little bit closer to find
I'm just a little bit closer to find that all I wanted I had
I'm on a collision course on ignition
I've lost my decision
This is for my brothers and sisters
This is for the misguided and alone
We are the chosen few ones who know you
Rise as one
We are the ignition
Stay true to let go
Open your eyes
You'll find a world ungrateful
Stay true to let go
Open your mind to a world unfaithful
Collision course on ignition
I've lost my decision to take me home
I'm just a little bit closer to find
I'm just a little bit closer to find that all I wanted I had
I'm on a collision course on ignition
I've lost my decision
On ignition.
Fuck the system
A systematic position
We've lost our minds
Oh, how we love it
Give it to me, give it all to me
Give it all you've got, give it all you've got girl
Give it to me, give it all to me
Keep up with me
Lay back and let go
Collision course on ignition
I've lost my decision to take me home
I'm just a little bit closer to find
I'm just a little bit closer to find that all I wanted I had
I'm on a collision course on ignition
I've lost my decision
The world is not in your hands
Fuck the system
A systematic position
I'm blacked out, and spun out, and I love the way itâ?¦
I love the way it feels
I don't feel at all
Keep up with me
Lay back and let go
Collision course on ignition
I've lost my decision to take me home
I'm just a little bit closer to find
I'm just a little bit closer to find that all I wanted I had
I'm on a collision course on ignition
I've lost my decision
This is for my brothers and sisters
This is for the misguided and alone
We are the chosen few ones who know you
Rise as one
We are the ignition
Stay true to let go
Open your eyes
You'll find a world ungrateful
Stay true to let go
Open your mind to a world unfaithful
Collision course on ignition
I've lost my decision to take me home
I'm just a little bit closer to find
I'm just a little bit closer to find that all I wanted I had
I'm on a collision course on ignition
I've lost my decision
On ignition.
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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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.
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 one's about realizing what you have in life, not taking it for granted and living life to the fullest. Take any opportunity that comes your way. Fuck the system and what it says you should do. Do what you want. When things seem rough, just remember that no matter how dark the world can seem, there's always a lighter side around the corner. But one of the hardest realizations is sometimes you have to make that light. "