"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.
Lying in my bed I hear the clock tickin', think of you
Turning in circles, confusion is nothing new
Flashback to moon nights, almost left behind
A suitcase of memories, time after sometime
You picture me, I'm walking too far ahead
You're calling to me, I can't hear what you have said
And you say, "go slow, I've fallen behind"
The second hand unwinds
If you're lost you can look and you will find me,
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I'll be waiting,
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I will be waiting,
Time after time....time after time
After your picture fades and darkness has turned to grey
Watching through windows, I'm wondering if you're ok
And you say, "go slow, I've fallen behind"
The drum beats out of time
If you're lost you can look and you will find me, time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I'll be waiting, time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I will be waiting, time after time
Time after time
Time after time
Time after time
Time after time
Turning in circles, confusion is nothing new
Flashback to moon nights, almost left behind
A suitcase of memories, time after sometime
You picture me, I'm walking too far ahead
You're calling to me, I can't hear what you have said
And you say, "go slow, I've fallen behind"
The second hand unwinds
If you're lost you can look and you will find me,
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I'll be waiting,
Time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I will be waiting,
Time after time....time after time
After your picture fades and darkness has turned to grey
Watching through windows, I'm wondering if you're ok
And you say, "go slow, I've fallen behind"
The drum beats out of time
If you're lost you can look and you will find me, time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I'll be waiting, time after time
If you fall I will catch you, I will be waiting, time after time
Time after time
Time after time
Time after time
Time after time
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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/
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
This is my favourite version of this song it's sounds as thougth she really means it. It's also really nice with the acoustic guitar.