"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.
I taste the fear to numb the tear, trapped by the source of my infection
I play the martyr submerged in this pool,
The corporation used me like they brainwashed you
Life is seen so cold and benign,
I don't want to be saved I'm next in line to die
Labeled sick, but I'm just a man, everyone I love has left me for dead
This void illusion I suffer for, they made me their god
And I am so much more than you
Life is seen so cold and benign, I don't want to be saved
I'm next in line to die
I don't want to be saved I'm next in line
I taste the fear to numb the tear, trapped by the source of my infection
Life is seen through heroin dreaming cold and benign,
I don't want to be saved I'm next in line to die
I don't want to be saved I'm next in line and I don't want to be saved
I'm a dead man, I'm a sick man, I'm the pilot of my destruction
I'm a dead man, I'm a sick man, I'm the pilot of my destruction
The pilot of my destruction
I play the martyr submerged in this pool,
The corporation used me like they brainwashed you
Life is seen so cold and benign,
I don't want to be saved I'm next in line to die
Labeled sick, but I'm just a man, everyone I love has left me for dead
This void illusion I suffer for, they made me their god
And I am so much more than you
Life is seen so cold and benign, I don't want to be saved
I'm next in line to die
I don't want to be saved I'm next in line
I taste the fear to numb the tear, trapped by the source of my infection
Life is seen through heroin dreaming cold and benign,
I don't want to be saved I'm next in line to die
I don't want to be saved I'm next in line and I don't want to be saved
I'm a dead man, I'm a sick man, I'm the pilot of my destruction
I'm a dead man, I'm a sick man, I'm the pilot of my destruction
The pilot of my destruction
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
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.
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.
im sure this song can be interpreted many different ways. these lyrics are almost totally metaphorical. i believe that this song is purely about heroin. the ways that he describes it is amazing. "i taste the fear to numb the tear" would mean that he risks everything to lift the pain from him. this is an effect of heroin. it brings temporary relief of depression and pain and emotionally numbs the user. "i don't want to be saved. i'm next in line to die" means to me that he wants to numb himself permanently. he is addicted to the relief of his pain. "the corporation used me like they brainwashed you" means that he feels that we are all victims of mindless propaganda and lies. "this void illusion i suffer for". in this line he says that his relief is only temporary, merely an illusion and it is not who he really is. and he suffers greatly because of it, he is falling endlessly into the abyss of drugs. "trapped by the source of my infection" could mean that his life is completely in the syringe. "life is seen through heroin". "i'm a dead man, i'm a sick man, i'm the pilot of my destruction" is self explanatory. he knows he's destroying his life, but he won't go against it or maybe he cannot.
this is a song that makes me wonder if they (or at least warren) are on drugs... can anyone testify to this?
I met Warrel and Jeff at a show once. Awesome guys. I dont think they're into heavy drugs but I do know Warrel loves to drink....a bunch of people including me were talking to him nad some girl came over and asked for his autograph. he was holding a plastic cup of vodka in his hands, so when they handed him a sharpie and paper, he held the cup with his teeth. I went to grab it to just hold it for him and he pulled back on it with his teeth like a dog trying to protect his chew toy.
so warrel don't waste no vodka lol
and krude, read the lyrics to cbf....they're pretty anti-drugs
Does anyone know who plays what solo in this song and when? I'm trying to figure out when Jeff and Pat solo, because this is one of those albums which annoyingly doesn't give that info.
lol this albums okay but it cant really hold up to dead heart in a dead world and this godless endeavor it just sounds too maiden/queensryche for me and not enough nevermore