"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'd Like to take it back
To this kid i knew named Jack
He enjoyed shooting paint cans
and ridin horseback
knockin at the door you know
I'm better than before
My rhymes are gettin tighter
than The Raven's lost lenore
You wanna talk behind my back
about how my beats is whack
I'll jack you in the sack
Until you can't come back for more
Superman is happnen betta get out the house
If a baby had some children
would you let it eat a mouse
CHORUS:
Everybody knows that theres nothing you can do
When two things fall apart while your eating chicken stew
And theres no one around to sit down and help you
And you aint got no tools that won't break like a fool
Wait a minute hold on there might be some hope
What if we could get some form of tight rope
Brush your teeth wash your hair
Make sure to use soap
Then run to the store and get some New Age Gang Rope
Lets go!
Once i knew this girl but she wanted to be a guy
I asked again again but she never told me why
She tried peeing standing up but it didn't work at all
she tried one more time except this time used a straw
crazy perverts on the street
you know they doing nasty things
Ice cream man comin around and they hear the bring bring
Bring me food yo
You know im really hungry
if i had to decide right now I'd eat my bunny
Bum Bum Yo
You know i get my play
everyday i get my pay for people hearin what i say
yall go to work think its gay cmon now
I used to sell lemonade on the streets everyday
ran from the police i stole a chicken from meijer
15 miles in the snow pshhh i aint a lyer
Im a rappa appa suppa lappa Jimmy in a hole
Crazy Mumblin rappin thats my style born to play this role
CHORUS
To this kid i knew named Jack
He enjoyed shooting paint cans
and ridin horseback
knockin at the door you know
I'm better than before
My rhymes are gettin tighter
than The Raven's lost lenore
You wanna talk behind my back
about how my beats is whack
I'll jack you in the sack
Until you can't come back for more
Superman is happnen betta get out the house
If a baby had some children
would you let it eat a mouse
CHORUS:
Everybody knows that theres nothing you can do
When two things fall apart while your eating chicken stew
And theres no one around to sit down and help you
And you aint got no tools that won't break like a fool
Wait a minute hold on there might be some hope
What if we could get some form of tight rope
Brush your teeth wash your hair
Make sure to use soap
Then run to the store and get some New Age Gang Rope
Lets go!
Once i knew this girl but she wanted to be a guy
I asked again again but she never told me why
She tried peeing standing up but it didn't work at all
she tried one more time except this time used a straw
crazy perverts on the street
you know they doing nasty things
Ice cream man comin around and they hear the bring bring
Bring me food yo
You know im really hungry
if i had to decide right now I'd eat my bunny
Bum Bum Yo
You know i get my play
everyday i get my pay for people hearin what i say
yall go to work think its gay cmon now
I used to sell lemonade on the streets everyday
ran from the police i stole a chicken from meijer
15 miles in the snow pshhh i aint a lyer
Im a rappa appa suppa lappa Jimmy in a hole
Crazy Mumblin rappin thats my style born to play this role
CHORUS
Lyrics submitted by isisosis
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
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
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.
Isisosis is a lyrical genius!!!! Isisosisites unite!!!!!