"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.
Freestyler
Rock the microphone
Carry on with the freestyler
I got to throw on and go on
You know I gots to flow on
Selectors on the radio play us
'Cause we're friendly for ozone
But that's not all so hold on tight
As I rock the mic right
Oh, excuse me, pardon
As I synchronise with the analysed
Upcomin' vibes, the session
Let there be a lesson, question
You carry protection
Or will your heart go on
Like Celine Dion
Karma Chameleon
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
Styles, steelos
We bring many kilos
So you could pick yours from the various
Ambitious, nutritious, delicious, delirious or vicious
Just tell us, we deliver anything
From acappellas to propellers
Suckers get jealous but they're soft like marshmallows
You know they can't handle us like Debbie does Dallas
Yeah, we come scandalous so who the fuck is Alice
She from Buckingham Palace?
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Freestyler
Rock the microphone
Carry on with the freestyler
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Rock the microphone
Carry on with the freestyler
I got to throw on and go on
You know I gots to flow on
Selectors on the radio play us
'Cause we're friendly for ozone
But that's not all so hold on tight
As I rock the mic right
Oh, excuse me, pardon
As I synchronise with the analysed
Upcomin' vibes, the session
Let there be a lesson, question
You carry protection
Or will your heart go on
Like Celine Dion
Karma Chameleon
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
Styles, steelos
We bring many kilos
So you could pick yours from the various
Ambitious, nutritious, delicious, delirious or vicious
Just tell us, we deliver anything
From acappellas to propellers
Suckers get jealous but they're soft like marshmallows
You know they can't handle us like Debbie does Dallas
Yeah, we come scandalous so who the fuck is Alice
She from Buckingham Palace?
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Freestyler
Rock the microphone
Carry on with the freestyler
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
Yeah, straight from the top of my dome
As I rock, rock, rock, rock, rock the microphone
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
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.
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/
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.
it^s very good Song ... To breaK Dance!... eleCtrO