"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.
Baby let me explain to you I'm sayin
what you sayin
It's not even like that
It wasn't like that but I saw you
Baby I don't love her
You don't love me
you know what I don't even want to talk to you
she don't mean nothing to me
I don't want to see ya face
I just want to see you walking thourgh that door
there ain't nothing else to say
peace
Come home late
It seems you barely beat the sun
Tapping my shoulder thinking you gon get you some
Smelling like some fragrance that I don't even wear
If you want some loving I suggest you go back there where you came from
Day to Day with you it's always something else
Working my nerve God knows I don't deserve
What you put me through cause I been so true to you
For you to come at me with another lame excuse
See I .....
Heard it all before (heard it all before)
All of ya lies, all of ya sweet talk
Baby this, Baby that
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
Played the fool before (played the fool before)
I was your fool I believed in you
Yes I did yes I did
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
WHat were you thinking bringing her into our home
In our bed, you must have fell and bumped your head
Messing up my sheets and violating me
Have me bout to call my peeps and take it to the streets
Nothing you can do
And there's nothing you can say
That would persuade me to stay with you another day
You have crossed the line to the point of no return
What you do from here on out
I am no longer concerned
See I......
Heard it all before (heard it all before)
Let me explain, baby, it's not what you think, that's what you said to me
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
Played the fool before (played the fool before)
You got a good game I must admit I was it but it's over
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
Use to hang on to your every word
but the more you lie to me the more I hurt
the things you use to say would sound so sweet
I was naive Quick to believe
Heard it all before
I was at work, It wasn't my car you saw, baby, I swear it wasn't me
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
Played the fool before (played the fool before)
you were my boo I trusted you for way too long
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
Heard it all before
you know you messed up you got to know you messed up
You got to go now say what you want
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
Played the fool before
I done change the locks on the door, yes i did and you ain't welcome no
more
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
See I heard it all before
what you sayin
It's not even like that
It wasn't like that but I saw you
Baby I don't love her
You don't love me
you know what I don't even want to talk to you
she don't mean nothing to me
I don't want to see ya face
I just want to see you walking thourgh that door
there ain't nothing else to say
peace
Come home late
It seems you barely beat the sun
Tapping my shoulder thinking you gon get you some
Smelling like some fragrance that I don't even wear
If you want some loving I suggest you go back there where you came from
Day to Day with you it's always something else
Working my nerve God knows I don't deserve
What you put me through cause I been so true to you
For you to come at me with another lame excuse
See I .....
Heard it all before (heard it all before)
All of ya lies, all of ya sweet talk
Baby this, Baby that
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
Played the fool before (played the fool before)
I was your fool I believed in you
Yes I did yes I did
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
WHat were you thinking bringing her into our home
In our bed, you must have fell and bumped your head
Messing up my sheets and violating me
Have me bout to call my peeps and take it to the streets
Nothing you can do
And there's nothing you can say
That would persuade me to stay with you another day
You have crossed the line to the point of no return
What you do from here on out
I am no longer concerned
See I......
Heard it all before (heard it all before)
Let me explain, baby, it's not what you think, that's what you said to me
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
Played the fool before (played the fool before)
You got a good game I must admit I was it but it's over
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
Use to hang on to your every word
but the more you lie to me the more I hurt
the things you use to say would sound so sweet
I was naive Quick to believe
Heard it all before
I was at work, It wasn't my car you saw, baby, I swear it wasn't me
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
Played the fool before (played the fool before)
you were my boo I trusted you for way too long
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
Heard it all before
you know you messed up you got to know you messed up
You got to go now say what you want
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
Played the fool before
I done change the locks on the door, yes i did and you ain't welcome no
more
But your lies ain't working now look who's hurting now
See I had to shut you down (I had to shut you down)
See I heard it all before
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
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/
Cool song. Cool video. Haven't heard from her in the music television for a long time. Where has she gone?