"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.
Just give me a reason, some kind of sign
I'll need a miracle to help me this time
I heard what you said and I feel the same
I know in my heart that I'll have to change
Even the stars look brighter tonight
Nothing's impossible
I still believe in love at first sight
Nothing's impossible
How did we get to be this far apart?
How did we get to be this far apart?
I want to be with you, have something to share
I want to be here but I'm not there
Even the stars look brighter tonight
Nothing's impossible
I still believe in love at first sight
Nothing's impossible
Even the stars look brighter tonight
Nothing's impossible
And if you believe in love at first sight
Nothing's impossible
I still believe in love at first sight
Nothing's impossible
I'll need a miracle to help me this time
I heard what you said and I feel the same
I know in my heart that I'll have to change
Even the stars look brighter tonight
Nothing's impossible
I still believe in love at first sight
Nothing's impossible
How did we get to be this far apart?
How did we get to be this far apart?
I want to be with you, have something to share
I want to be here but I'm not there
Even the stars look brighter tonight
Nothing's impossible
I still believe in love at first sight
Nothing's impossible
Even the stars look brighter tonight
Nothing's impossible
And if you believe in love at first sight
Nothing's impossible
I still believe in love at first sight
Nothing's impossible
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
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."
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.
I think Martin is trying to say that you don't have to expect everything out of life. You have to learn how to be independent and self assured to the thought that surprises come and go but its nothing new. Make your own life and expect nothing.
@Mode000 totally agree, love the version on music for the masses but the headcleanr rock mix version is the best version
Zen.
@xod Ironically, also the dangers of 'empty mind'.
a song true to life!
I think it means even the most planned moments of ur life may drastically change within a second without any prior notice. Or nothing at all may happen. Also not to hold hopes up to high cuz things almost never turn out the way we want them to. So expect nothing.
best part of depeche mode 101 film is when the fans on the bus dance to this song
I was just watching that and I kind of did not pay attention to the video but listened to the music. Thx.
The most underrated depeche mode song yet.
I love "Nothing". You know, I have always thought, as simple as it is, that this song could just be about being depressed. Utterly despondant and hollow. And/or the lines "What am I trying to do/What am I trying to say/I'm not trying to tell you/Anything you didn't know/When you woke up today" reinforces the feelings of low self-esteem and self worth that often accompany depression. Or it could have just been the gloomy state of mind that spurred the topics discussed in the song, which is not about being depressed, but more of what you have said, Mode000 and cheren28. I'm rather new to this band's music, so I assume you [other posters] know more about the band and their song meanings than I do. blegh, as for what I thought of this song's meaning, I'm just stating the obvious :o/
Oh come on. Why everybody is digging out too much. It's simply nihilistic song. And a very good one. There's no meaning and purpose in life. Life doesn't tell you what to do by itself. Life doesn't advertise anything. There's no set of rules telling you what to do and what to expect. Pure nihilism.
I laughed my ass of the first time I listened to it. Nevertheless it's one of Depeche Mode's best.
This songs makes me think of vampires. A vampire singing about why this town is so perfect for them. Depressing, unassuming, and oblivious.