"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.
Like a ghost emptiness haunted his years
Still his heart was made of nothing less than good, oh
Insecure narrative in his head, something less than schizophrenia
Creeping him with every move that he makes, breath he takes
A pitiful walk alone to his empty home
Where he'll lay and he'll sleep by himself
Go west young man, your future is untold
You can find your dreams on the California Coast
Go west young man, your future isn't too far away, go
She hates me and I know it because she said so
And I forgot my notebook and my socialist manifesto
Will it be a tragedy or a comedy?
The choice is up to you, life can lead you along on a leash
Or you can break free and run on your own
Don't waste your life, go and live your life
Like it's your last day here on this earth
Go west young man, your future is untold
You can find your dreams on the California Coast
Go west young man, your future isn't too far away, far away
Don't waste your life, go and live your life
Like it's your last day here on this earth
Go west young man, your future is untold
You can find your dreams on the California Coast
Go west young man, your future isn't too far away, far away
Go west young man, your future is untold
You can find your dreams on the California Coast
Go west
Still his heart was made of nothing less than good, oh
Insecure narrative in his head, something less than schizophrenia
Creeping him with every move that he makes, breath he takes
A pitiful walk alone to his empty home
Where he'll lay and he'll sleep by himself
Go west young man, your future is untold
You can find your dreams on the California Coast
Go west young man, your future isn't too far away, go
She hates me and I know it because she said so
And I forgot my notebook and my socialist manifesto
Will it be a tragedy or a comedy?
The choice is up to you, life can lead you along on a leash
Or you can break free and run on your own
Don't waste your life, go and live your life
Like it's your last day here on this earth
Go west young man, your future is untold
You can find your dreams on the California Coast
Go west young man, your future isn't too far away, far away
Don't waste your life, go and live your life
Like it's your last day here on this earth
Go west young man, your future is untold
You can find your dreams on the California Coast
Go west young man, your future isn't too far away, far away
Go west young man, your future is untold
You can find your dreams on the California Coast
Go west
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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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
This is quite possibly the worst Anti-Flag song ever.... but then again I say that about every Andy Flag song... I'm glad hes gone... #2 is way better and Chris head is a way better lyricist/vocalist