"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.
[Verse 1]
I'm fighting for the ones who can't speak, those who are too weak to fight back
My message hits you hard like a fucking heart attack
Open your eyes and see all the fucking pain you're causing
When you digest the dead like a walking coffin
Wanna eat my friends? That’s the wrong decision
You can fuck right off with your sick and twisted vision
And don't you try and justify your evil choices
Do you feel big when you slay the weak and voiceless?
They're begging for their lives, still you fucking kill them
Rape them, beat them, eat them and grill them
Stop running around hunting and killing for fun
You're not a fucking caveman, so don't act like one
I'd like to trap you in a cage so you can't run
Then fucking blast your ugly face off with a shotgun
Hooks in your flesh, skin you alive slowly
Hang your head on the wall, bitch, now you're a trophy
[Hook]
Fuck your baby steps, there is no excuse
Go vegan and stop the abuse
A cow or a chicken, a pig or a goose
Break all the fucking cages and let them loose
[Verse 2]
Veganism equals love and defense
So why should we explain when it's only common sense
You piece of shit, eating junk on their expense
Supporting death and violence to the defenseless
What does it take for you to see that it's not right?
That you're responsible for mass murder with every bite?
That cows die by every sip of the milk you drink?
That your coat is skin ripped of an innocent mink?
All sale of animal products should be fucking banned
But I won't blame the industry, it’s supply and demand
If you're listening now, I'm begging you to stop
Don't buy any meat, dairy and eggs when you shop
You better stop defending slavery
And stop calling hunting and killing bravery
I don't have any patience left, and neither do they
Do us all a fucking favor, go vegan today
[Hook]
I'm fighting for the ones who can't speak, those who are too weak to fight back
My message hits you hard like a fucking heart attack
Open your eyes and see all the fucking pain you're causing
When you digest the dead like a walking coffin
Wanna eat my friends? That’s the wrong decision
You can fuck right off with your sick and twisted vision
And don't you try and justify your evil choices
Do you feel big when you slay the weak and voiceless?
They're begging for their lives, still you fucking kill them
Rape them, beat them, eat them and grill them
Stop running around hunting and killing for fun
You're not a fucking caveman, so don't act like one
I'd like to trap you in a cage so you can't run
Then fucking blast your ugly face off with a shotgun
Hooks in your flesh, skin you alive slowly
Hang your head on the wall, bitch, now you're a trophy
[Hook]
Fuck your baby steps, there is no excuse
Go vegan and stop the abuse
A cow or a chicken, a pig or a goose
Break all the fucking cages and let them loose
[Verse 2]
Veganism equals love and defense
So why should we explain when it's only common sense
You piece of shit, eating junk on their expense
Supporting death and violence to the defenseless
What does it take for you to see that it's not right?
That you're responsible for mass murder with every bite?
That cows die by every sip of the milk you drink?
That your coat is skin ripped of an innocent mink?
All sale of animal products should be fucking banned
But I won't blame the industry, it’s supply and demand
If you're listening now, I'm begging you to stop
Don't buy any meat, dairy and eggs when you shop
You better stop defending slavery
And stop calling hunting and killing bravery
I don't have any patience left, and neither do they
Do us all a fucking favor, go vegan today
[Hook]
Lyrics submitted by thrillracerESQ
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.
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,
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.