"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 Phanatik]
Who am I? Just a bag of dust puttin' trust in the Most High
Why boast? I know that I'm nothin'
Huffin' and puffin' someone else's air through my lungs
'Cause everything belongs to the Son
That was hung up on the Cross
Strung up for the lost
Ya'll know they slayed Him
He rose from the grave, came to save, though they played Him
Some hate Him, mocked Him, to the ground His blood spilled
To this day they be dockin' the things that got Him killed
Shrilled and screamed knowing He'd redeem half the planet
How could He stand in knowing He'd be taken for granted
Disadvantaged became dust just like you and me
Human beings just so He can put His deed at calvary
Now how do we say thanks, better yet check how could He take it
Despising all the shame being plain in sight-naked
Crowned with thorns scorned by the unrighteous judges
The King's arms expands shook hands with death's clutches
Seal the deal kill one for all called it grace
Meaning the Supreme Being would die in our place
He was rich and became poor so that we through His poverty
Could become rich hit the lottery
Pottery is all I am in the hands of the maker
Just a custom of dust and plus the salt from the shaker
Meek and lowly Jesus preach we be holy
I gotta give the props to the potter who molds me
'Cause dust...
[Chorus]
Dust is all I am that's what I come from. Taken from the dust
Dust is what I am that's what I come from. You and me from the dust
Dust is all I am that's what I come from. God breathed from the dust
Dust is all I am that's what I come from. True indeed from the dust
Dust is all I am that's what I come from. It's you and me from the dust
Dust is all I am that's what I come from. Would you believe from the dust
Dust is what I am that's what I come from. Every human being from the dust
Dust is all I am that's what I come from
Check this
[The Phanatik]
I can't lose I refuse to choose death over life
I was done in then had a run in with Christ
Now I'm freed what made Him bleed and cling to a tree
And get nailed to the form of a lower case t?
No beatin' around the bush the Rose of Sharon got crowned with thorns
And was risen up on a third day morn
Now it's on, for anyone who's got the time of day
Let Him change ya act and ya scene just like a drama play
I'ma say it once, twice, even a thousand times
Every day of the year Jesus Christ be my valentine
Who's standin' on faulty ground?
If you ain't down then be salty now
(Tell me) What do you see when you close your eyes?
What do you see when your life goes by?
Question for your next session with your cypha'
Eternal lifa' who's God bring's it hypa'
Is it the God who spoke that spark this?
Reached into the abyss with His fist and pulled light out of darkness
Mark this day and walk this way
You want eternal life (well) then you ain't got no cost to pay (why?)
'Cause Christ paid it all when His blood flooded the streets
In the 199's with the ruggedest beats
We gets biz like show
So 'ey G. act like ya know
Tell me yo what made Him pay the debt that you owe
Was it love? Unlike this world has ever seen before
Born I guess on the flesh that was torn
Mourn for the Bright and the Morning Star who died for you
'Father forgive them for they know not what they do' (ooh true)
You're missin' His touch I tell ya this much
He thirsted, cursed it, vinegar upon some hyssop
Now there's ever livin' water come place ya order
I'll pour out my spirit upon your sons and your daughters
Before the times up come line up by the creek
And bathe in the blood of the lamb as it leaks
God speaks to dust and it becomes man
Then He breathes on us and we become dust again
'Cause Dust
[Chorus]
[The Phanatik(Talkin)]
Tell me who do, who do you think you are?
And who does, who does God say you are?
Yeah who do, who do you think you are?
And who does, who does God say you are?
You are now listening to the Phanatik
A proud sponsor of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Stay Tuned for more Jesus Christ commercials
Comin' at ya from on high-channel love, broadcast from above
Yeah that's how we do. Up in my crew
Check it out now. Uh, check it out now
Peep the love letter. Check it out now
Check it out now. Out on a limb
Check it out now. Solo Christo. Check it out now
Who's the man? Check it out now. Yeah be my valentine
Who do..?
Who am I? Just a bag of dust puttin' trust in the Most High
Why boast? I know that I'm nothin'
Huffin' and puffin' someone else's air through my lungs
'Cause everything belongs to the Son
That was hung up on the Cross
Strung up for the lost
Ya'll know they slayed Him
He rose from the grave, came to save, though they played Him
Some hate Him, mocked Him, to the ground His blood spilled
To this day they be dockin' the things that got Him killed
Shrilled and screamed knowing He'd redeem half the planet
How could He stand in knowing He'd be taken for granted
Disadvantaged became dust just like you and me
Human beings just so He can put His deed at calvary
Now how do we say thanks, better yet check how could He take it
Despising all the shame being plain in sight-naked
Crowned with thorns scorned by the unrighteous judges
The King's arms expands shook hands with death's clutches
Seal the deal kill one for all called it grace
Meaning the Supreme Being would die in our place
He was rich and became poor so that we through His poverty
Could become rich hit the lottery
Pottery is all I am in the hands of the maker
Just a custom of dust and plus the salt from the shaker
Meek and lowly Jesus preach we be holy
I gotta give the props to the potter who molds me
'Cause dust...
[Chorus]
Dust is all I am that's what I come from. Taken from the dust
Dust is what I am that's what I come from. You and me from the dust
Dust is all I am that's what I come from. God breathed from the dust
Dust is all I am that's what I come from. True indeed from the dust
Dust is all I am that's what I come from. It's you and me from the dust
Dust is all I am that's what I come from. Would you believe from the dust
Dust is what I am that's what I come from. Every human being from the dust
Dust is all I am that's what I come from
Check this
[The Phanatik]
I can't lose I refuse to choose death over life
I was done in then had a run in with Christ
Now I'm freed what made Him bleed and cling to a tree
And get nailed to the form of a lower case t?
No beatin' around the bush the Rose of Sharon got crowned with thorns
And was risen up on a third day morn
Now it's on, for anyone who's got the time of day
Let Him change ya act and ya scene just like a drama play
I'ma say it once, twice, even a thousand times
Every day of the year Jesus Christ be my valentine
Who's standin' on faulty ground?
If you ain't down then be salty now
(Tell me) What do you see when you close your eyes?
What do you see when your life goes by?
Question for your next session with your cypha'
Eternal lifa' who's God bring's it hypa'
Is it the God who spoke that spark this?
Reached into the abyss with His fist and pulled light out of darkness
Mark this day and walk this way
You want eternal life (well) then you ain't got no cost to pay (why?)
'Cause Christ paid it all when His blood flooded the streets
In the 199's with the ruggedest beats
We gets biz like show
So 'ey G. act like ya know
Tell me yo what made Him pay the debt that you owe
Was it love? Unlike this world has ever seen before
Born I guess on the flesh that was torn
Mourn for the Bright and the Morning Star who died for you
'Father forgive them for they know not what they do' (ooh true)
You're missin' His touch I tell ya this much
He thirsted, cursed it, vinegar upon some hyssop
Now there's ever livin' water come place ya order
I'll pour out my spirit upon your sons and your daughters
Before the times up come line up by the creek
And bathe in the blood of the lamb as it leaks
God speaks to dust and it becomes man
Then He breathes on us and we become dust again
'Cause Dust
[Chorus]
[The Phanatik(Talkin)]
Tell me who do, who do you think you are?
And who does, who does God say you are?
Yeah who do, who do you think you are?
And who does, who does God say you are?
You are now listening to the Phanatik
A proud sponsor of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Stay Tuned for more Jesus Christ commercials
Comin' at ya from on high-channel love, broadcast from above
Yeah that's how we do. Up in my crew
Check it out now. Uh, check it out now
Peep the love letter. Check it out now
Check it out now. Out on a limb
Check it out now. Solo Christo. Check it out now
Who's the man? Check it out now. Yeah be my valentine
Who do..?
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Dust Lyrics as written by Denise Elizabeth Roughan David Lawrence Mitchell
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Hipgnosis Songs Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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.
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."
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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.