"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.
Every girl's a story, call it morning glory
She wakes it up and pony, whoa
Dancing on the table, everybody's able
Holding up his dollars, pointing as he hollers
It's you, waiting out for you baby
I want a secret family with you
Way to knock me out baby
It's too big to bag on, gotta get my swag on
Looking for an adult
Standing in the mirror,
Tryna get you nearer
Funking is the meaner
This is what he said
He said, I've been a lonely man
Such a lonely man
I've been a lonely man
Such a lonely man
It's you, waiting out for you baby
I want a secret family with you
Way to knock me out baby
First we went to find my fame,
With the south I'm blown away
Girl you don't like the E-A
And it's bigger than both of us
You, waiting out for you baby
I want a secret family with you
And it's alright
I've been a lonely man
Such a lonely man
I've been a lonely man
Such a lonely man
And now I've got you, waiting out for you baby
I want a secret family with you
Way to knock me out baby
First we went to find my fame,
With the south I'm blown away
Girl you don't like the E-A
And it's bigger than both of us
You, waiting out for you baby
I want a secret family with you
Start a secret family with you
And it's alright
Yeah it's alright
She wakes it up and pony, whoa
Dancing on the table, everybody's able
Holding up his dollars, pointing as he hollers
It's you, waiting out for you baby
I want a secret family with you
Way to knock me out baby
It's too big to bag on, gotta get my swag on
Looking for an adult
Standing in the mirror,
Tryna get you nearer
Funking is the meaner
This is what he said
He said, I've been a lonely man
Such a lonely man
I've been a lonely man
Such a lonely man
It's you, waiting out for you baby
I want a secret family with you
Way to knock me out baby
First we went to find my fame,
With the south I'm blown away
Girl you don't like the E-A
And it's bigger than both of us
You, waiting out for you baby
I want a secret family with you
And it's alright
I've been a lonely man
Such a lonely man
I've been a lonely man
Such a lonely man
And now I've got you, waiting out for you baby
I want a secret family with you
Way to knock me out baby
First we went to find my fame,
With the south I'm blown away
Girl you don't like the E-A
And it's bigger than both of us
You, waiting out for you baby
I want a secret family with you
Start a secret family with you
And it's alright
Yeah it's alright
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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.
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.