"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.
Feel no pain, but my life ain't easy
I know I'm my best friend
No one cares, but I'm so much stronger
I'll fight until the end
To escape from the true false world
Undamaged destiny
Can't get caught in the endless circle
Ring of stupidity
Out for my own, out to be free
One with my mind, they just can't see
No need to hear things that they say
Life is for my own to live my own way
Rape my mind and destroy my feelings
Don't tell me what to do
I don't care now, 'cause I'm on my side
And I can see through you
Feed my brain with your so called standards
Who says that I ain't right
Break away from your common fashion
See through your blurry sight
Out for my own, out to be free
One with my mind, they just can't see
No need to hear things that they say
Life is for my own to live my own way
See them try to bring the hammer down
No damn chains can hold me to the ground
Life is for my own to live my own way
Life is for my own to live my own way
Life is for my own to live my own way
Life is for my own to live my own way
Life is for my own to live my own way
Life is for my own to live my own way
Life is for my own to live my own way
I know I'm my best friend
No one cares, but I'm so much stronger
I'll fight until the end
To escape from the true false world
Undamaged destiny
Can't get caught in the endless circle
Ring of stupidity
Out for my own, out to be free
One with my mind, they just can't see
No need to hear things that they say
Life is for my own to live my own way
Rape my mind and destroy my feelings
Don't tell me what to do
I don't care now, 'cause I'm on my side
And I can see through you
Feed my brain with your so called standards
Who says that I ain't right
Break away from your common fashion
See through your blurry sight
Out for my own, out to be free
One with my mind, they just can't see
No need to hear things that they say
Life is for my own to live my own way
See them try to bring the hammer down
No damn chains can hold me to the ground
Life is for my own to live my own way
Life is for my own to live my own way
Life is for my own to live my own way
Life is for my own to live my own way
Life is for my own to live my own way
Life is for my own to live my own way
Life is for my own to live my own way
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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/
I think its about a guy who didnt follow societies rules, and dared to 'be different' or himself, and because of this people dont like him, but he would rather have people hate him for who he is. In my opinion this shows up in most metallicas early songs.
This song is about escaping the mindless self-indulgence of today's society, by not being a part of the so-called system, to no longer live your life in redundancy, and to be your own fucking person. Don't live your life like the rest, be out there!
The prison sirens in the background in the end are to strengthen the feeling of escaping, which has a really strong effect if you realise that.
those sirens... omg those sirens... they make the song 100 times more impacting.
@VladimirLP Yeah, cops chase you around alot up there in Russia, Vlad?
About finally coming to terms with the fact that everyone is ultimately alone at the emotional level.It is so true but people try to keep denying it for as long as they can. Since living alone is not easy,most people will compromise on their feelings and desires in order to fit the mould and avoid conflict with society. This helps them in nurturing the myth that they are part of some large whole.This song is about those who sacrifice the world and gain themselves.
i once printed out the lyrics of this fucking ace song and put loads of copies in my headteachers office, he was a fucking one minded fuck son of a bitch.i hope it taught him a lesson
vagabond1987 is totally right on this one. People just cant see that not following societies rules can be right, not having the same "standard" thinking (go to school, graduate, get a job, marry, grow old and die) Why do we have to think that? what do we gain for following that order? The Only time we really are individuals is when we rebel...dont be one of many, follow yourself.
"To escape from the true false world Undamaged destiny Can't get caught in the endless circle Ring of stupidity"
But he understands that he is larger than the societies rules and doesn't have to be as ignorant to follow them..because what do we gain for following them? a silent death and a forgotten grave.
Please everyone and read the lyrics closely and do understand the society pushes us down and not letting us be individuals. this song i can closely relate to The Unforgiven, if you think about those songs and how they connect with eachother..
Definetly one of Metallica's best songs, better than For Whom The Bell Tolls and Trapped Under Ice anyhow. I see it as being about non-conformity, and living by your own rules and standards, using a prison to represent America's conformist society, and an ecsaping prisoner as the daring non-conformist who challeges it. This is defenitly the most underrated song on Ride The Lighting, and one of Metallica's most underrated songs in general (such as No Remorse, Disposable Heroes, ...And Justice For All, To Live Is To Die, and The God That Failed.)
Just as bonus info, this the my favorites from Ride The Lighting from #1-#8.
1.Fade To Black (Yeah, I know it's cliche, but it's just such a great song that I can't help but call this song the best on the album.)
2.Creeping Death (Killer fucking riff)
3.The Call Of Ktulu (Excellent guitar and this song has a very interesting origin [Read H.P. Lovecraft's The Call Of Cthulu to know what I mean)
4.Escape (Great song, and as I've said, tragically underrated)
5.Ride The Lighting (Excellent riff and solos)
6.Fight Fire With Fire (A brutal slab of pure thrash metal)
7.For Whom The Bell Tolls (Excellent song, but just a wee bit overrated)
8.Trapped Under Ice (Good, solid song, but nothing particularly special)
Overall rating: out of
you're an idiot.
id put escape one higher, but otherwise totally agree! \m/_
i call it the unknown song because its the only song on RTL many ppl havent heard of
Actually, this is the 'radio-friendly' song that was suppose to make Metallica better known in the music industry. Therefore it has never been played live before up until 2012.
so sad, because it may be one of the best on the album.
This is simply about getting away from wha teveryone wants you to be and live life your own way. Who says it's not right?
The song "Escape" is about an escaped prisoner on the run which can also be interpretated as an escape from everything which is preventing you from doing what you want to or even from beeing as you want to be. You all should stop making guesses and refer to our beloved metallica themselves and see the real meaning of the song
Yea, i dunno why they (or just james) dislike(s) playing this song live, its deffinetly a great song on a great album.