"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.
This suffering brings me closer to you
And time is broken and moves slow
Your pure heart, your white light
I should be put to death for ever being cruel to you
You washed me clean like no one ever could
Come closer now and step right into
The wide mouth, the sharp teeth of the one you love
I'm not the kind of sick that you can fix
Don't you worry about me baby
I've got no enemies and i've got no time
The song, we carry on
Even though you pushed us down
We carry on
When you try to blind my eyes I can see tenfold
It's nothing that my heart can't take, 'cause your hate has made me strong
And stronger men than you have tried to break me
Stronger men than you have tried to break me
Leaning toward the golden days
Forget about the older days
And everything we left behind
To stand here in another life
We carry on, even though you held us down
We carry on, with the song
We carry on, even though you pushed us down
We carry on
And time is broken and moves slow
Your pure heart, your white light
I should be put to death for ever being cruel to you
You washed me clean like no one ever could
Come closer now and step right into
The wide mouth, the sharp teeth of the one you love
I'm not the kind of sick that you can fix
Don't you worry about me baby
I've got no enemies and i've got no time
The song, we carry on
Even though you pushed us down
We carry on
When you try to blind my eyes I can see tenfold
It's nothing that my heart can't take, 'cause your hate has made me strong
And stronger men than you have tried to break me
Stronger men than you have tried to break me
Leaning toward the golden days
Forget about the older days
And everything we left behind
To stand here in another life
We carry on, even though you held us down
We carry on, with the song
We carry on, even though you pushed us down
We carry on
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
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,
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.
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/
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.
This song seems to be about a woman who regrets the way she hurt someone who loved her and was there for her.
i should be put to death for ever being cruel to you you washed me clean like no one ever could
She was cruel to this person, hurt this person and now she is regretting it and feels terrible, like she should be put to death for the way she's treated him. And how he washed her clean like nobody could, now she misses that and is being hit by the hard realization of what she's lost.
this suffering brings me closer to you
This part of the song seems to be about the only emotion he has left for her, the suffering and longing for him is the only thing that makes her feel close to him anymore.
I actually came across on youtube how this song could be about jesus, or god. i always associated it with an ex lover, but now this interpretation makes more sense to me.