"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.
One way out is all you're ever going to get
From those who'll hand it out don't never let it upset you
'Cause they'll put words into your mouths
They're making you feel so ashamed
Making you taking the blame
Making you cold in the night
Making you question your heart and your soul
And I think that it's not quite right
Hey, stay young and invincible
'Cause we know just what we are
And come what may we're unstoppable
'Cause we know just what we are
Yeah we know just what we are
Yeah we know just what we are
Feed your head with all the things you need
When you're hungry
Stay in bed and sleep all day as long as it's Sunday
'Cause they'll put words into my mouth
They're making me feel so ashamed
Making me taking the blame
Making me cold in the night
Making me question my heart and my soul
And I think that it's not quite right
Hey, stay young and invincible
'Cause we know just what we are
And come what may we're unstoppable
'Cause we know just what we are
Yeah we know just what we are
Yeah we know just what we are
Hey, stay young and invincible
'Cause we know just what we are
And come what may we're unstoppable
'Cause we know just what we are
And hey, stay young and invincible
'Cause we know just what we are
And come what may my faith's unshakeable
'Cause we know just what we are
'Cause we know just what we are
'Cause we know just what we are
'Cause we know just what we are
'Cause we know just what we are
Know just what we are
Know just what we are
Know just what we are
Know just what we are
From those who'll hand it out don't never let it upset you
'Cause they'll put words into your mouths
They're making you feel so ashamed
Making you taking the blame
Making you cold in the night
Making you question your heart and your soul
And I think that it's not quite right
Hey, stay young and invincible
'Cause we know just what we are
And come what may we're unstoppable
'Cause we know just what we are
Yeah we know just what we are
Yeah we know just what we are
Feed your head with all the things you need
When you're hungry
Stay in bed and sleep all day as long as it's Sunday
'Cause they'll put words into my mouth
They're making me feel so ashamed
Making me taking the blame
Making me cold in the night
Making me question my heart and my soul
And I think that it's not quite right
Hey, stay young and invincible
'Cause we know just what we are
And come what may we're unstoppable
'Cause we know just what we are
Yeah we know just what we are
Yeah we know just what we are
Hey, stay young and invincible
'Cause we know just what we are
And come what may we're unstoppable
'Cause we know just what we are
And hey, stay young and invincible
'Cause we know just what we are
And come what may my faith's unshakeable
'Cause we know just what we are
'Cause we know just what we are
'Cause we know just what we are
'Cause we know just what we are
'Cause we know just what we are
Know just what we are
Know just what we are
Know just what we are
Know just what we are
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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,
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/
This is about the most rockin' anthem for the world's youth that I've ever heard. It just plain pounds away -- when it's over you're left feeling excited about yourself. "Hey! Stay young and invincible! Cos' we know just what we are!" That is so damn good. It makes you look back at your teenage years and say, "Hey, you know what? I wasn't such a loser! I was cool, and I was one of a billion kids who have one thing in common -- we're young!"
What a great review. I really like what you said there.
I totally agree. It almost belongs in a musical, with that kind of sing-along uplifting feel to it. Fantastic.
One of the best best best songs to put on when your going out, Liams voice is amazing in this.
fuckin rite tune,makes u realise that your young,makes u wanna go out n do whatever u fuckin want really,n makes u feel like ur allowed to,or made to,one of my fav. tune's.really underrated i fink aswell
excellent song!
This is my theme song!!! You guys are right....what a great song for the youth of the world. Boo-ya!
Definitely a pick-me-up when you feel like your life totally sucks. Youth is definitely a good thing, not only because we feels invincible but on top of that it means that we will out live all the assholes trying to keep us down.
I have heard Noel say he hates this song but I can't figure out why he would. I agree with most of the sentiments here that it is a great anthem like most of Oasis' songs. Even their more melancholy songs make you feel good.
Maybe the reason Noel hates Stay Young is shown in the later b-side Just Getting Older (think it was on Hindu Times) Put simply Noel isn't staying young and he's not invincible.
Still a class song though.
Maybe the reason Noel hates Stay Young is shown in the later b-side Just Getting Older (think it was on Hindu Times) Put simply Noel isn't staying young and he's not invincible.
Still a class song though.