"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.
[Spoken Words]:
"it's been four years now since she died.
I never wanted to marry her,
hell, I never even really loved her.
so why do I dream of her each night, and why do all these dreams end the same?"
life was rotten, not worth living
filled with empty days
until I started writing the dream
life I would life to lead
every night I close my eye
knowing what awaits me
all my words are come to life
I write the script for my dreams
waiting for the sun to set
for dreams to rise
from mists of written words
waiting for the night to come
the fate to my real life
the world seems truly different
when you look down at
your troubles from the sky
by the dreams I write
I am reborn every morning
and yet I long for more
for someone who once
shared my dreams with me
taken from my side when our life
had hardly just begun
waiting for the sun to set
for her to rise
from mists of written words
waiting for our special night
to feel her breath once more
my love, please breathe!
what good are dreams
if death cannot be fooled
pale! so still
her cold hand next to mine...
locked! inside! cannot move
I cannot end this dream
that I have made
no dawn will ever come
waiting for the sun to set
day is far and hope is father still
waiting for the night to end
to break this curse
and close again her grave...
"it's been four years now since she died.
I never wanted to marry her,
hell, I never even really loved her.
so why do I dream of her each night, and why do all these dreams end the same?"
life was rotten, not worth living
filled with empty days
until I started writing the dream
life I would life to lead
every night I close my eye
knowing what awaits me
all my words are come to life
I write the script for my dreams
waiting for the sun to set
for dreams to rise
from mists of written words
waiting for the night to come
the fate to my real life
the world seems truly different
when you look down at
your troubles from the sky
by the dreams I write
I am reborn every morning
and yet I long for more
for someone who once
shared my dreams with me
taken from my side when our life
had hardly just begun
waiting for the sun to set
for her to rise
from mists of written words
waiting for our special night
to feel her breath once more
my love, please breathe!
what good are dreams
if death cannot be fooled
pale! so still
her cold hand next to mine...
locked! inside! cannot move
I cannot end this dream
that I have made
no dawn will ever come
waiting for the sun to set
day is far and hope is father still
waiting for the night to end
to break this curse
and close again her grave...
Lyrics submitted by PublicFailureNumberOne
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
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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/
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.