"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.
Yeah, oh
One of those top nights of the year
And I see everyone's here
Oh, took me a long time to get it
But when its taken time
Think and don't forget it
You gotta live in this world, go diggin' the new
Live in this world, boy, tran or girl
Live in this world, oh, get diggin' the new
I can see we're really close to something
It's a feeling so near
But I got no time for the Luddites
Always lookin' back down the track
Saying, "Can you spot one more detail, Jack."
You gotta live in this world, go diggin' the new
Live in this world, boy, tran or girl
Live in this world, oh, get diggin' the new
Crashing head-on into the future
It won't even leave a dent
Just walk in like you own it
Remember, it ain't set in cement
You gotta live in this world
Live in this world, go diggin' the new
Live in this world, boy, tran or girl
Live in this world, get diggin' the new
Live in this world
You gotta live in this world, go diggin' the new
Live in this world, boy, tran or girl
Live in this world, oh, get diggin' the new
One of those top nights of the year
And I see everyone's here
Oh, took me a long time to get it
But when its taken time
Think and don't forget it
You gotta live in this world, go diggin' the new
Live in this world, boy, tran or girl
Live in this world, oh, get diggin' the new
I can see we're really close to something
It's a feeling so near
But I got no time for the Luddites
Always lookin' back down the track
Saying, "Can you spot one more detail, Jack."
You gotta live in this world, go diggin' the new
Live in this world, boy, tran or girl
Live in this world, oh, get diggin' the new
Crashing head-on into the future
It won't even leave a dent
Just walk in like you own it
Remember, it ain't set in cement
You gotta live in this world
Live in this world, go diggin' the new
Live in this world, boy, tran or girl
Live in this world, get diggin' the new
Live in this world
You gotta live in this world, go diggin' the new
Live in this world, boy, tran or girl
Live in this world, oh, get diggin' the new
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Diggin' the New Lyrics as written by Richard Norris Joe Strummer
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Mute Song Limited, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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.
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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.