"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.
Children in heat
They have no conscience
No resistance
You gotta see this big reaction
No resistance
Cellophane sex, a new way of life
With your heart in your throat
And the other alive
You've been pissin', pissin' blood
Pissin' blood for seven days
No resistance
No resistance
No resistance
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they're away and away
They're always gonna run away
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they're running away
Children in heat
Are young little kindle wood
I see them burning
They all changed their names to Chicago
No resistance
No resistance
No resistance
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they'm running away
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they're running away and away
They're always gonna run away
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they're running away and away
They're always gonna run away
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they're running away
They have no conscience
No resistance
You gotta see this big reaction
No resistance
Cellophane sex, a new way of life
With your heart in your throat
And the other alive
You've been pissin', pissin' blood
Pissin' blood for seven days
No resistance
No resistance
No resistance
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they're away and away
They're always gonna run away
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they're running away
Children in heat
Are young little kindle wood
I see them burning
They all changed their names to Chicago
No resistance
No resistance
No resistance
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they'm running away
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they're running away and away
They're always gonna run away
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they're running away and away
They're always gonna run away
Children in heat
You can't control them
Why they're running away
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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”
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
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.
Having sex through moisture proof cellophane wouldn't be very pleasing, now would it? The same goes for teenage sex (especially for young women).
Actually, I read somewhere that teenagers actually did use cellophane as protection in the 50s or something. Ouch.