"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.
My telephone never rings
She'd never call me
I hate myself today
But I can see through this bitterness and sadness
And so I won't die now
Someday I think I'll be dignified and old
Well my friends say I deceive myself
That I contradict myself
And I can't say if they're right
But I'm not ashamed
Oh I can take a challenge
So I won't die
Someday I'll be dignified and old
I say hey kids
(Hey kids)
I said hey kids
(Hey kids)
I say someday we'll be dignified and old
That's right
I said some day we'll be dignified
(Hey kids, Hey kids)
Someday we'll be dignified
(Hey kids, Hey kids)
Someday we could be dignified and old together
Well now
Look at the mountain
My girl and I used to stand on the mountain
And the sun shines, she's dead and I cry
But I can see through the death and sadness
And so I won't die now
Someday I wanna be dignified and old
Well now
See the desert
I sit all alone in the desert
And no girl understands me
But I can see through this bleakness and gray and sadness
So I won't die now
Someday I'll be dignified and old
I say, hey you, don't die now
Someday we'll be dignified and old together
She'd never call me
I hate myself today
But I can see through this bitterness and sadness
And so I won't die now
Someday I think I'll be dignified and old
Well my friends say I deceive myself
That I contradict myself
And I can't say if they're right
But I'm not ashamed
Oh I can take a challenge
So I won't die
Someday I'll be dignified and old
I say hey kids
(Hey kids)
I said hey kids
(Hey kids)
I say someday we'll be dignified and old
That's right
I said some day we'll be dignified
(Hey kids, Hey kids)
Someday we'll be dignified
(Hey kids, Hey kids)
Someday we could be dignified and old together
Well now
Look at the mountain
My girl and I used to stand on the mountain
And the sun shines, she's dead and I cry
But I can see through the death and sadness
And so I won't die now
Someday I wanna be dignified and old
Well now
See the desert
I sit all alone in the desert
And no girl understands me
But I can see through this bleakness and gray and sadness
So I won't die now
Someday I'll be dignified and old
I say, hey you, don't die now
Someday we'll be dignified and old together
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Dignified And Old Lyrics as written by Jonathan Michael Richman
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
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.
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.
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.