"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.
The marionette has your number
He's pulling your arms and legs
'Til you can't stand on your own
Dragging your conscience on the stage
And your heart gets rearranged
And you cannot tell you mentor
From you Maker
Look at the crowd bleeding with laughter
Or the way you entertain at beckon call
They don't see behind the lights
Or the painted background
They just like to see you fall
[Chorus]
But you don't really mind
And you're just wasting time
You don't feel anything
You're a boy on a string
I feel a sadness like Gapetto
Watching the life that he created run away
Seeing the puppeteer's intrusion
And holding the remains
Of puppets that had rotted away
One day the curtain will not open
And all of the crowds will go away
Crowds will go away (sung in background)
Someday those strings will choke you
But until that day
[Chorus]
Just a boy
Just a boy
Just a boy
Just a boy
[Chorus: x2]
Just a boy on a string
He's pulling your arms and legs
'Til you can't stand on your own
Dragging your conscience on the stage
And your heart gets rearranged
And you cannot tell you mentor
From you Maker
Look at the crowd bleeding with laughter
Or the way you entertain at beckon call
They don't see behind the lights
Or the painted background
They just like to see you fall
[Chorus]
But you don't really mind
And you're just wasting time
You don't feel anything
You're a boy on a string
I feel a sadness like Gapetto
Watching the life that he created run away
Seeing the puppeteer's intrusion
And holding the remains
Of puppets that had rotted away
One day the curtain will not open
And all of the crowds will go away
Crowds will go away (sung in background)
Someday those strings will choke you
But until that day
[Chorus]
Just a boy
Just a boy
Just a boy
Just a boy
[Chorus: x2]
Just a boy on a string
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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.
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.
I think this song is about how people let others control their lives. Kind of like peer pressure. People just want you to go along with the crowd sometimes, and people can pull you down into their sin. You're on a string because you just let them take control and go, and "you don't really mind, cause you're just wasting time...." It's saying that if you don't get focused, one day, "those strings will choke you." In other words, you're gonna end up in BIG trouble!!!
This song seems to be talking about (at first) a human's life on earth and how the world loves to see then fail. Then it says "but you dont really mind..." refering to the short amount of time we have on this earth compared to the time we will have in the after life. and the second vers is talking about how the creator (god) watches the pupet (human) run away to the puppeteer (devil) and the rotting (death) that follows. and finally telling one to stand firm because one day you will be out of the world.
They do a great job in reinterpreting an overused metaphor. Putting a positive spin on the metaphor helps make it all the more imperative.