"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.
Through these eyes I've seen love and I've seen hate
I've seen the violence and the tears
Through these eyes, I got my schooling on the streets
I've seen the things in life you don't want to see
Through these eyes I've seen the shape of things to come
And I've watched them all fall apart
Through these eyes I've seen the broken homes they cry
I've seen the poor man's face as he stands in line
[Chorus]
And though my heart has made me weary
On a road less traveled on
Through the heart it hurts so dearly,
and the pain it lingers on
Through these eyes, I've looked the devil in the face
and I've seen God's holy grace
Through these eyes, I've tried to walk the straighter line
I found myself again, but nearly lost my mind
[Chorus: x3]
I've seen the violence and the tears
Through these eyes, I got my schooling on the streets
I've seen the things in life you don't want to see
Through these eyes I've seen the shape of things to come
And I've watched them all fall apart
Through these eyes I've seen the broken homes they cry
I've seen the poor man's face as he stands in line
[Chorus]
And though my heart has made me weary
On a road less traveled on
Through the heart it hurts so dearly,
and the pain it lingers on
Through these eyes, I've looked the devil in the face
and I've seen God's holy grace
Through these eyes, I've tried to walk the straighter line
I found myself again, but nearly lost my mind
[Chorus: x3]
Lyrics submitted by toterkater
Through These Eyes Lyrics as written by Michael Ness
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
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@[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.
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This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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good song
My English teacher last year played this song for her AP Language students; it is also my favorite Social Distortion song.
As far as meaning goes, I think he's basically saying that he's seen a lot of things throughout his life, and in spite of the trials and tribulations, he has survived it all.
Fuck do I love this sound. So much energy and feeling, fuckin just sick.
Fuck do I love this song. So much energy and feeling, fuckin just sick.
No more comments on this song? Fuck.
It's one of their best.
"Through these eyes, I've tried to walk the straighter line I found myself again, I nearly lost my mind"
I know how he feels. I mean every young people does eaither.
Why are you who you are? Why can't you change the circle of pain? What made your identities? Can you make a concrete castle though you only have sand? Yes, I tried to make a concrete castle with a sand. Because, Sand is what I have got from people around me. But, sooner, My castle would wash away.
I've tried to walk the straighter line. I nearly lost my mind.