"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.
Oh, you look so tired
Mouth slack and wide
Ill-housed and ill-advised
Your face is as mean
As your life has been
Crash into my arms
I want you
You don't agree
But you don't refuse
I know you
And I know a place
Where no one is likely to pass
Oh, you don't care if it's late
And you don't care if you're lost
And oh, you look so tired
(But tonight you presume too much)
Too much, too much
And if it's the last
Thing I ever do
I'm gonna get you
Crash into my arms
I want you
You don't agree
But you don't refuse
I know you
Crash into my arms
I want you
You don't agree
But you don't refuse
I know you
Oh...
Thank you.
Mouth slack and wide
Ill-housed and ill-advised
Your face is as mean
As your life has been
Crash into my arms
I want you
You don't agree
But you don't refuse
I know you
And I know a place
Where no one is likely to pass
Oh, you don't care if it's late
And you don't care if you're lost
And oh, you look so tired
(But tonight you presume too much)
Too much, too much
And if it's the last
Thing I ever do
I'm gonna get you
Crash into my arms
I want you
You don't agree
But you don't refuse
I know you
Crash into my arms
I want you
You don't agree
But you don't refuse
I know you
Oh...
Thank you.
Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery
Jack the Ripper Lyrics as written by Martin James Boorer Steven Morrissey
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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/
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
"Your face is as mean As your life has been"
What a line, what a song!!
great song. great man/band.
I love this song. Colin Meloy's (The Decemberists) cover of this rules so hard.
I have yet to hear the covers. But I do think the studio version is better. I love the added end, which goes:
And no one knows a thing about my life I can come and go as I please And if I want to, I can stay Oh, or if I want to, I can leave Nobody knows me Nobody knows me Nobody knows me Nobody knows me Oh, oh Nobody knows me Oh, oh Nobody knows me Oh, oh Nobody knows me Oh
@xdarkentries The studio version is amazing. Blows the covers out of the water.
AFI did a beautiful cover of this song for DECEMBERUNDERGROUND.
When Morrissey says, "I love/The romance of crime" he is telling the truth. He told of Kray Brothers (The Last of the Famous International Playboys) Hector (First of the Gang to Die) and others both in his past and his present work.
The first verse is clearly alluded to Jack the Ripper, a despicable man in appearance.
I think the song could be interpreted as being from the perspective of the serial killer. The ripper could be speaking directly to the prostitutes and then in the studio version’s third verse (which is a b-side to Certain People I Know) he is reflecting on the pros and cons of being an outsider, something Morrissey knows a thing or two about.
okay anyway mcr, really should NOT be covering morrissey when they suck at their own songs as it is.
MCR covered this song? Hell no!!!! I've not heard their version but I bet its terrible. This song is amazing though. I think instead of being from the perspective of Jack The Ripper, it may be from a policeman who is trying to catch the killer. I have heard that policemen dressed up as woman to try and catch him. But I think either way the lines fit in. Great song.
I definitely think it is Morrissey relating to the outsider. You hear this song and it almost sounds appealing to have no one know who you are. I know I get sick of trying to get people to understand me because they just won't.