"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.
I'll tell you a tale, of someone I know
Now he's gone, there's nothing to show
Made the headlines, for that one time
The burst of shadow, and on it's way it died.
Dead on Arrival, there's no hope in hell
Dead on Arrival, how can they tell
Dead on Arrival, ain't it a shame
Dead on Arrival, we'll never be the same
Live your life to the full, never see shame,
Speeding on that motor, when your inside a game,
Dead in an instant, watch out real good,
Bleeding everything, ain't gonna look good.
Dead on Arrival, there's no hope in hell
Dead on Arrival, how can they tell
Dead on Arrival, ain't it a shame
Dead on Arrival, we'll never be the same
Dead on Arrival, D.O.A.
Dead on Arrival, there's no hope in hell
Dead on Arrival, how can they tell
Dead on Arrival, ain't it a shame
Dead on Arrival, we'll never be the same
So I pick up the paper, read it once more
I turn all white again, I guess I was making sure
So in tears it lies, I look to the skies
I'm standing at the grave site, to say my last good-byes.
Dead on Arrival, there's no hope in hell
Dead on Arrival, how can they tell
Dead on Arrival, ain't it a shame
Dead on Arrival, we'll never be the same
Dead on Arrival, there's no hope in hell
Dead on Arrival, how can they tell
Dead on Arrival, ain't it a shame
Dead on Arrival, D.O.A.
Now he's gone, there's nothing to show
Made the headlines, for that one time
The burst of shadow, and on it's way it died.
Dead on Arrival, there's no hope in hell
Dead on Arrival, how can they tell
Dead on Arrival, ain't it a shame
Dead on Arrival, we'll never be the same
Live your life to the full, never see shame,
Speeding on that motor, when your inside a game,
Dead in an instant, watch out real good,
Bleeding everything, ain't gonna look good.
Dead on Arrival, there's no hope in hell
Dead on Arrival, how can they tell
Dead on Arrival, ain't it a shame
Dead on Arrival, we'll never be the same
Dead on Arrival, D.O.A.
Dead on Arrival, there's no hope in hell
Dead on Arrival, how can they tell
Dead on Arrival, ain't it a shame
Dead on Arrival, we'll never be the same
So I pick up the paper, read it once more
I turn all white again, I guess I was making sure
So in tears it lies, I look to the skies
I'm standing at the grave site, to say my last good-byes.
Dead on Arrival, there's no hope in hell
Dead on Arrival, how can they tell
Dead on Arrival, ain't it a shame
Dead on Arrival, we'll never be the same
Dead on Arrival, there's no hope in hell
Dead on Arrival, how can they tell
Dead on Arrival, ain't it a shame
Dead on Arrival, D.O.A.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Dead On Arrival Lyrics as written by Steve Grimmett Nick Bowcott
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing 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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.