"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 sit at home, I’m all alone,
I don’t know what to do
don't wanna see nobody else
I get so bored with all the news,
they bring me down again
I end up talking to myself
There is a voice inside my head
it talks to me again and says
Wait,
‘cos there is a million ways to make my day
out on my own
Wait,
‘cos there is a million songs, still left unsung,
still to create
and it’s never too late
Whatever’s cool with all the fools
is not for my own sake
don’t wanna ask for no one’s help
I’ll find the key and let them see
I do it my own way
and if they try to break my will
The voice comes back into my head
it talks to me again and says
Wait,
‘cos there is a million ways to make my day
out on my own
Wait,
‘cos there is a million songs, still left unsung,
still to create
and it’s never too late
There’s a way to be free from the dark
and there’s a way to get out of all the cold
There’s a way to be safe from it all
there’s a way, a better way
There is a voice inside my head
just walk the silver line
or rather you’d be dead
(wait)‘cos there is a million ways to make your day
out on your own
(wait) ‘cos there is a million songs, still left unsung
still to create
Wait,
‘cos there is a million ways to make your day
out on your own
Wait,
‘cos there is a million songs, still left unsung,
still to create
and it’s never too late
I don’t know what to do
don't wanna see nobody else
I get so bored with all the news,
they bring me down again
I end up talking to myself
There is a voice inside my head
it talks to me again and says
Wait,
‘cos there is a million ways to make my day
out on my own
Wait,
‘cos there is a million songs, still left unsung,
still to create
and it’s never too late
Whatever’s cool with all the fools
is not for my own sake
don’t wanna ask for no one’s help
I’ll find the key and let them see
I do it my own way
and if they try to break my will
The voice comes back into my head
it talks to me again and says
Wait,
‘cos there is a million ways to make my day
out on my own
Wait,
‘cos there is a million songs, still left unsung,
still to create
and it’s never too late
There’s a way to be free from the dark
and there’s a way to get out of all the cold
There’s a way to be safe from it all
there’s a way, a better way
There is a voice inside my head
just walk the silver line
or rather you’d be dead
(wait)‘cos there is a million ways to make your day
out on your own
(wait) ‘cos there is a million songs, still left unsung
still to create
Wait,
‘cos there is a million ways to make your day
out on your own
Wait,
‘cos there is a million songs, still left unsung,
still to create
and it’s never too late
Lyrics submitted by KW2013
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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
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.
I think this song, just like a lot of other Hansen/Kiske songs, is about getting out of a depression. The first verse mention a lot of symptoms people can have while depressed, while the third verse is the real message of the song. There is a way out of the dark. There are still a million things worth living for.
The million songs left to create seems like a metaphor for thing you've always wanted to do in your life and this song is about setting your mind to focus on them. It's about convincing yourself that there are a lot if things still worth living for and focussing on them allows you to get out of the downward spiral called depression.
I can't really fit in the second verse or the 'just walk the silver line or rather you’d be dead' line. I would appreciate to hear your thoughts on this.