"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.
What happens when life breaks down?
When there's systemic contradiction?
It's projecting, self-justifyin', excusing, accusing
Denying well I don't have a problem
There's nothing wrong with me
So if it's not me, it must be you
Or it must be them, or it must be him
Trouble doesn't come from nowhere
Your weakness is a perfect match
Trouble in my life, working for a cause
Chasing my ambitions giving it my all
How you're supposed to lift your own feet off the ground
When the whole damn world still trying to bring you down?
(Trying to bring you down, trying to bring you down)
The whole damn world still try to bring you down
(Trying to bring you down, trying to bring you down)
Ohhh
And I'll dance til you won't be, loving being me
Broke out the months and the gun society
I'm on a mission just you wait and see
Fuck what you told me, love and living free
(Love and living free, love and living free)
I said fuck what you told me, love and living free
(Love and living free, love and living free)
Ohh
Yes said there's something out here
Trying to take a hold on me
Can't turn me down, cuff and chain my feet
Just skies above this town baby
Just prepare 'cause I'm about to get the whole world out of there
And I know what you do, I'm not afraid to you
Someone looks to me ohh
Fear not, oh yes tonight
My love, fear not
My love I got you
Fear not, uhh I got you
I got you always
When there's systemic contradiction?
It's projecting, self-justifyin', excusing, accusing
Denying well I don't have a problem
There's nothing wrong with me
So if it's not me, it must be you
Or it must be them, or it must be him
Trouble doesn't come from nowhere
Your weakness is a perfect match
Trouble in my life, working for a cause
Chasing my ambitions giving it my all
How you're supposed to lift your own feet off the ground
When the whole damn world still trying to bring you down?
(Trying to bring you down, trying to bring you down)
The whole damn world still try to bring you down
(Trying to bring you down, trying to bring you down)
Ohhh
And I'll dance til you won't be, loving being me
Broke out the months and the gun society
I'm on a mission just you wait and see
Fuck what you told me, love and living free
(Love and living free, love and living free)
I said fuck what you told me, love and living free
(Love and living free, love and living free)
Ohh
Yes said there's something out here
Trying to take a hold on me
Can't turn me down, cuff and chain my feet
Just skies above this town baby
Just prepare 'cause I'm about to get the whole world out of there
And I know what you do, I'm not afraid to you
Someone looks to me ohh
Fear not, oh yes tonight
My love, fear not
My love I got you
Fear not, uhh I got you
I got you always
Lyrics submitted by CarbonCore
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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.
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,