"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.
Very superstitious, writings on the wall
Very superstitious, ladder's 'bout to fall
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
Seven years of bad luck, the good things in your past
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way, yeah
Ooh, very superstitious, wash your face and hands
Rid me of the problem, do all that you can
Keep me in a daydream, keep me goin' strong
You don't wanna save me, sad is my song
When you believe in things you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way, yeah, yeah
Whoa, hey, hoo
Very superstitious, nothin' more to say
Very superstitious, the Devil's on his way
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
Seven years of bad luck, good things in your past, mhm
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way, no, no, no
Very superstitious, ladder's 'bout to fall
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
Seven years of bad luck, the good things in your past
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way, yeah
Ooh, very superstitious, wash your face and hands
Rid me of the problem, do all that you can
Keep me in a daydream, keep me goin' strong
You don't wanna save me, sad is my song
When you believe in things you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way, yeah, yeah
Whoa, hey, hoo
Very superstitious, nothin' more to say
Very superstitious, the Devil's on his way
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin' glass
Seven years of bad luck, good things in your past, mhm
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer
Superstition ain't the way, no, no, no
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.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
Hi Gang, first post here. Great site!
This is a song about superstition. Two of them used to be popular:
If you break a mirror, you'll have seven years of bad luck.
If you break a mirror, you'll have "13 months of maybes" (uncertainty) in your life.
Listen closely and you'll hear it's not "13-month old baby". This line is frequently misquoted, mainly because not many are still around who're old enough to remember this particular superstition. It dates back to at least the late 1800's and is probably older.
I love this song! (And not just because it reminds me of John Carpenter's THE THING.)<br /> <br /> The meaning's fairly obvious: don't believe in things that don't make sense. Yes, I think it could be applied to religion, but the title and lyrics clearly indicate that everyday superstitions are the intended target.
Sorry, but it is indeed "13-month old baby." Listen closely to Stevie's enunciation and you can hear the "b" when he says "baby" and there's no "s" sound at the end. Every other site has it that way, and there's no mention of it on kissthisguy.com (misheard lyrics site).
@Rigel11 But the song said, "thirteen month old baby broke the looking glass"