"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.
No more playin' games
Baby, come on
Am I losing my mind if I spend all my time
With a woman who ain't got my back
When I give you my dough, everything you ask for
Never givin' nothing back, no, no, no, no, no
Now you always wanna fuss and fight
You wanna criticize
Everything I do with my time
Girl, you're always so misty eyed
Play like you're gonna cry
Thinkin' I'm gonna change my mind
Girl, I'm tired of playing games with you
Keep it up and we gon' be through
'cause you wanna act like a goddamn fool
Then you wanna play like everything's cool
I don't try to let you mistreat me
Seeing how I gave you everything
You wanna be running back on me
Guess you fell in love with playin' me
Playin' me, playin' me
Girl, you must understand type of man that I am
Other women wanna take your place
So it's real hard for me, staying there and see
The way you're comin' out your face
Now you always wanna fuss and fight
You wanna criticize
The things I do to go and get mine
Girl, you're always so misty eyed
Play like you're gonna cry
When I'm 'bout to say bye-bye, yeah
When the night's get so cold and lonely
When the rain comes and I ain't there
Whatchu gon' do
Before the break of day you be reaching out for me
And all the shit you said, you will be answering me
'cause you, you gonna see just
Just what you lost when you lose me
Girl, I'm 'gon set you free
If you stay in love with playin' me babe
I had enough, don't make me leave
Don't make me leave
Girl, I'm tired of playing games with you
Keep it up and we gon' be through
'cause you wanna act like a goddamn fool
Then you wanna play like everything's cool
I don't try to let you mistreat me
Seeing how I gave you everything
You wanna be running back on me
Guess you fell in love with playin' me
Playin' me, playin' me
Girl, I'm tired of playing games with you
Keep it up and we gon' be through
'cause you wanna act like a goddamn fool
Baby, come on
Am I losing my mind if I spend all my time
With a woman who ain't got my back
When I give you my dough, everything you ask for
Never givin' nothing back, no, no, no, no, no
Now you always wanna fuss and fight
You wanna criticize
Everything I do with my time
Girl, you're always so misty eyed
Play like you're gonna cry
Thinkin' I'm gonna change my mind
Girl, I'm tired of playing games with you
Keep it up and we gon' be through
'cause you wanna act like a goddamn fool
Then you wanna play like everything's cool
I don't try to let you mistreat me
Seeing how I gave you everything
You wanna be running back on me
Guess you fell in love with playin' me
Playin' me, playin' me
Girl, you must understand type of man that I am
Other women wanna take your place
So it's real hard for me, staying there and see
The way you're comin' out your face
Now you always wanna fuss and fight
You wanna criticize
The things I do to go and get mine
Girl, you're always so misty eyed
Play like you're gonna cry
When I'm 'bout to say bye-bye, yeah
When the night's get so cold and lonely
When the rain comes and I ain't there
Whatchu gon' do
Before the break of day you be reaching out for me
And all the shit you said, you will be answering me
'cause you, you gonna see just
Just what you lost when you lose me
Girl, I'm 'gon set you free
If you stay in love with playin' me babe
I had enough, don't make me leave
Don't make me leave
Girl, I'm tired of playing games with you
Keep it up and we gon' be through
'cause you wanna act like a goddamn fool
Then you wanna play like everything's cool
I don't try to let you mistreat me
Seeing how I gave you everything
You wanna be running back on me
Guess you fell in love with playin' me
Playin' me, playin' me
Girl, I'm tired of playing games with you
Keep it up and we gon' be through
'cause you wanna act like a goddamn fool
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
No More Playing Games Lyrics as written by Ron Lawrence Mark Batson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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
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.
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/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.