"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.
Time is in our heads and it is in our minds
Everything that has a start has a finish line
Do you ever sit and marvel at the stars in the sky?
When you dive into the ocean do you still feel small?
Do you dream that you were running at the pace of a crawl
Are you feeling like you might be getting sick of it all?
Wake me up
I don't wanna live without your love
Lift me up
Take me to a place up far above
Every second, every minute, every hour of life
Should be treated with the wonder in the eyes of a child
Anything can happen when you have to lie to survive
Gravity is bugging
I can't stop
So lift me up
Wake me up
I don't wanna live without your love
Lift me up
Take me to a place up far above
And nothing ever changes
(Nothing ever changes)
Its shape unless you change it
(Its shape unless you change it)
And there's no shame in trying
Because we're all already dying
Wake me up
I don't wanna live without your love
Wake me up
I don't wanna live without your love
Lift me up
Take me to a place up far above
Wake me up
(Everything that has a start has a finish line)
Wake me up
(Do you ever sit and marvel at the stars in the sky)
Lift me up
(Everything that has a start has a finish line)
Lift me up
Everything that has a start has a finish line
Do you ever sit and marvel at the stars in the sky?
When you dive into the ocean do you still feel small?
Do you dream that you were running at the pace of a crawl
Are you feeling like you might be getting sick of it all?
Wake me up
I don't wanna live without your love
Lift me up
Take me to a place up far above
Every second, every minute, every hour of life
Should be treated with the wonder in the eyes of a child
Anything can happen when you have to lie to survive
Gravity is bugging
I can't stop
So lift me up
Wake me up
I don't wanna live without your love
Lift me up
Take me to a place up far above
And nothing ever changes
(Nothing ever changes)
Its shape unless you change it
(Its shape unless you change it)
And there's no shame in trying
Because we're all already dying
Wake me up
I don't wanna live without your love
Wake me up
I don't wanna live without your love
Lift me up
Take me to a place up far above
Wake me up
(Everything that has a start has a finish line)
Wake me up
(Do you ever sit and marvel at the stars in the sky)
Lift me up
(Everything that has a start has a finish line)
Lift me up
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Wake Me Up Lyrics as written by Ronnie Winter Chris Destefano
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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,
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.
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.