"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.
It's so easy, but I can't do it
So risky, but I gotta chance it
So funny, there's nothing to laugh about
My money, that's all you want to talk about
I can see what you want me to be
But I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la la la, whoa
I can see what you want me to be
But I'm no fool
No beginning, there's no ending
There's no meaning in my pretending
Believe me, life goes on and on and
Forgive me when I ask you where do I belong
You say I (you can do it)
Can't (you can do it)
(You can go and set it free) set you free from me
But that's not true
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la la la, whoa
I can see what you want me to be
But I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la la la, whoa
Whoa, whoa, la la
Whoa, whoa, ooh
But that's not true
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la la la, whoa
Whoa, whoa, la la
Whoa, whoa, ooh
But I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la la la, whoa
Whoa, whoa, la la
Whoa, whoa, oooh
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la la la, whoa
Whoa, whoa, la la
Whoa, whoa, oooh
But I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la la la, whoa
Whoa, whoa, la la
Whoa, whoa, oooh
So risky, but I gotta chance it
So funny, there's nothing to laugh about
My money, that's all you want to talk about
I can see what you want me to be
But I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la la la, whoa
I can see what you want me to be
But I'm no fool
No beginning, there's no ending
There's no meaning in my pretending
Believe me, life goes on and on and
Forgive me when I ask you where do I belong
You say I (you can do it)
Can't (you can do it)
(You can go and set it free) set you free from me
But that's not true
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la la la, whoa
I can see what you want me to be
But I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la la la, whoa
Whoa, whoa, la la
Whoa, whoa, ooh
But that's not true
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la la la, whoa
Whoa, whoa, la la
Whoa, whoa, ooh
But I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la la la, whoa
Whoa, whoa, la la
Whoa, whoa, oooh
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la la la, whoa
Whoa, whoa, la la
Whoa, whoa, oooh
But I'm no fool
It's in the lap of the Gods
Whoa, whoa, la la la, whoa
Whoa, whoa, la la
Whoa, whoa, oooh
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
I have read that this song is related to Freddie's relationship with his parents. Apparently his parents, specially his mother, weren't supportive of his musical career in the beginning (I can see what you want me to be) and doubted that Freddie was going to be able to make a living out of it (My money that's all you want to talk about). By the end of the song he has made up his mind (There's no meaning in my pretending, Believe me life goes on and on and on) and leaves everything to fate and sets himself free from his parent's opinions in order to pursue his musical career.
@smichelini Some good points. The only problem is that It would not be in the lap of the gods, and he would be making a chose. Seems like it's a contract problem to me. But if you read that, I understand why you would believe that
@SilverBeat I think what Freddy meant in "the lap of the gods" is that the musical career itself is very risky since he could have not made success as their parents warned him
Wow, Smichelini--I never knew that about Freddie's parents. I, too, thought it was a breakup song, but that tidbit puts it in a whole new light.
Also makes me wonder what kind of arguments Freddie had with his mum in his teenage years...
“Now, Freddie, it’s nice how you have these ambitions of becoming a—uhm, what was it…?”
rolls eyes “Pop star, Mum. I’ve told you a thousand times.”
“Right. Well…the fact is, you’re going to have to think of a backup plan just in case that one, erm, idea of yours doesn’t work out.”
“But it WILL work out, Mum!”
“Yes, well, the way you're conducting yourself now you won't be able to make a living if that flight of fancy of yours doesn't come true. I just got your report card today, and if you don't get your grades back up that band of yours is officially over! Understand?”
“You always have to bring something else into it, don’t you!? Why does this matter so much to you, Mum!? Why can’t you just let me live my own bloody life!?”
“Hey, you had better drop that attitude of yours, young man! And you never use language like that when addressing me, is that clear? ”
“URGH! But I WILL be famous someday, Mum! I have an extraordinarily distinctive voice and range which will set my band’s sound apart from others, and I also have a unique talent for writing tongue-in-cheek, yet worldly and sophisticated lyrics that will captivate listeners of all ages—“
“If you keep this up, Freddie, you’re GROUNDED!”
“FINE!” stomps up to bedroom and slams door
Am I the only one who can picture that scene just completely perfectly in the mind's eye?
Perhaps it's just me...
I first heard this on Queen's live at Wembley dvd, and I loved it! I agree, it tends to drag on a bit, but the tune is extremely catchy. Had it stuck in my head for a few days!
Wonderfull song. great course and all. i dont really know what this song is about. but its probobly about a girl .
its not just about a girl but also about his vision on life itself..that he can not control everything..its in the lap of the gods
this is their most underrated song ever.
unfortunately, it gets old quick as well
This is one of my favorite Queen song. If Freddy hadn't been a rock star, he would have been a broadway star, in a big wig and high heels.
On the LAW DVD they just do one verse and then repeat the chorus over and over ad nauseum. The original song is better because there is a second verse, which is absolutely beautiful. That said, they do repeat the chorus over and over on that as well but at least you get another proper verse!
One of Freddies great vocal performances.
I always thought it as getting taken advantage of.
"My money that's all you want to talk about"
It makes me think of people that try to take advantage of you if you are fortunate in life.
I think this is better than the original one, it has a more solid tune and stuff...but the original one is more...original...