"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.
In the silent parlor room
If I'd remember to
Keep it down for ya, like you asked me to
Did that hurt too much
Baby did it last long enough
It was fine for me
It was fine for me
I'll go dry off now
This stuff is sticky
It's a little hot in here dear
Can you turn up the air
And don't tell me that you want me to see you this way
If I were weaker
And you loved me
Would you still act this way
I'm sitting on the floor
And I don't feel no more
I'm not prepared to
And I don't dare to
It's so dark in here
And something smells like fear
Now you're sleeping
While I'm conceiving
I'll find my own way out
You'll find the letter
I'm a little weak but
You like that better
I don't think that you want to
See me this way
'Cause I'd kill you
And I'd leave you
And never speak your name
And don't tell me that you want me to see you this way
If I were weaker
And you loved me
Would you still act this way
The roads are wet
And I can't remember your face
As I'm driving away in this, in this taxi cab
And the driver said
Are you sure you want to leave him
Don't I need to get these scars off my face
And I'm bleeding, not just in front of you
But in every single place
Don't you think that I want to see him in a different way
If he were weaker
And I still loved him
Maybe it wouldn't be this way
If I'd remember to
Keep it down for ya, like you asked me to
Did that hurt too much
Baby did it last long enough
It was fine for me
It was fine for me
I'll go dry off now
This stuff is sticky
It's a little hot in here dear
Can you turn up the air
And don't tell me that you want me to see you this way
If I were weaker
And you loved me
Would you still act this way
I'm sitting on the floor
And I don't feel no more
I'm not prepared to
And I don't dare to
It's so dark in here
And something smells like fear
Now you're sleeping
While I'm conceiving
I'll find my own way out
You'll find the letter
I'm a little weak but
You like that better
I don't think that you want to
See me this way
'Cause I'd kill you
And I'd leave you
And never speak your name
And don't tell me that you want me to see you this way
If I were weaker
And you loved me
Would you still act this way
The roads are wet
And I can't remember your face
As I'm driving away in this, in this taxi cab
And the driver said
Are you sure you want to leave him
Don't I need to get these scars off my face
And I'm bleeding, not just in front of you
But in every single place
Don't you think that I want to see him in a different way
If he were weaker
And I still loved him
Maybe it wouldn't be this way
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
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.
This song is about Bijou's dad who was a rockstar in the 1960's. The song is about the kind of childhood she had because of how messed up her dad was, the things he did to her and the effect they had on her.