"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.
All american boy with big dreams of glamour life
Bright lights and boogie nights
The hype is "Everything could be yours if the price is right"
Grab your nothing and hold it tight
The first chance you get your heading out to the west
This decision is one you won't regret
Move to the place where everybody knows ya
Like Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
So you wanna be a Superstar
Welcome to Hollywood
Quick money, fly women, fast cars
Welcome to Hollywood
So you wanna be a Superstar
Welcome to Hollywood
High times, big dreams, living large
Welcome to Hollywood
One way ticket, then you'll live this
Life of a Superstar caught up in this business
God as my witness, you will never change
Only been here a day, already in the game
You changed your name, you don't even look the same
Now you're on top of the world, money, power and fame
Picture perfect, just like you planned
No longer him, 'cause you the man
So you wanna be a Superstar
Welcome to Hollywood
Quick money, fly women, fast cars
Welcome to Hollywood
So you wanna be a Superstar
Welcome to Hollywood
High times, big dreams, living large
Welcome to Hollywood
You'll never get the best of me
The time ticks away, you've had your play
Sold your soul for the roll, now you gots to pay
Forfeit integrity, overnight celebrity
Settle for selfish gain rather than dignity
Another sucka, why did you trust a playa like me fool
Eternal hustler
I'm taking everything and now you know I hate to tell you but I told you so
So you wanna be a Superstar
Welcome to Hollywood
Quick money, fly women, fast cars
Welcome to Hollywood
So you wanna be a Superstar
Welcome to Hollywood
High times, big dreams, living large
Welcome to Hollywood
Bright lights and boogie nights
The hype is "Everything could be yours if the price is right"
Grab your nothing and hold it tight
The first chance you get your heading out to the west
This decision is one you won't regret
Move to the place where everybody knows ya
Like Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
So you wanna be a Superstar
Welcome to Hollywood
Quick money, fly women, fast cars
Welcome to Hollywood
So you wanna be a Superstar
Welcome to Hollywood
High times, big dreams, living large
Welcome to Hollywood
One way ticket, then you'll live this
Life of a Superstar caught up in this business
God as my witness, you will never change
Only been here a day, already in the game
You changed your name, you don't even look the same
Now you're on top of the world, money, power and fame
Picture perfect, just like you planned
No longer him, 'cause you the man
So you wanna be a Superstar
Welcome to Hollywood
Quick money, fly women, fast cars
Welcome to Hollywood
So you wanna be a Superstar
Welcome to Hollywood
High times, big dreams, living large
Welcome to Hollywood
You'll never get the best of me
The time ticks away, you've had your play
Sold your soul for the roll, now you gots to pay
Forfeit integrity, overnight celebrity
Settle for selfish gain rather than dignity
Another sucka, why did you trust a playa like me fool
Eternal hustler
I'm taking everything and now you know I hate to tell you but I told you so
So you wanna be a Superstar
Welcome to Hollywood
Quick money, fly women, fast cars
Welcome to Hollywood
So you wanna be a Superstar
Welcome to Hollywood
High times, big dreams, living large
Welcome to Hollywood
Lyrics submitted by HoldURBreath
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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,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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/
man you guys should of commented on this song when it really came out did you guys just get the cd just 2 years ago man what a bunch of losers