"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.
Echo, echo, echo, echo
Echo, echo, echo, echo)
(Echo, echo, echo, echo)
No
Have you heard the word no, no, no?
I thought so
'Cause everybody says yes
Everywhere you go
You know
If you always must know what's right
You will end up
You will end up among the ones
Who always are wrong
Remember a star that shone so bright
But now his glare fills me with fright
And now I actually fear
That something's gone wrong with your ears
I'm singing
Step out, step out of your echo chamber
Step out, step out of your echo chamber
Before it is too late (late)
Before it is too late (late)
Before it is too late
'Cause I miss you so
(Echo, echo, echo, echo)
You
You always stayed among the ones
Not so strong
Too eager to belong
To object when you were wrong
When
When will you ever get sick of
Listening to repeats
Of what you have said?
You better listen instead
To folks who think with their own head
I never want to be your foe
I just want to say I miss you so
How long will you stay in there?
I just wish that you could hear me singing
Step out, step out of your echo chamber
Step out, step out of your echo chamber
Before it is too late (late)
Before it is too late (late)
Before it is too late
'Cause I miss you so
(Step out, step out of your) echo chamber
Oh, step out, step out of your echo chamber
Step out (step out)
Before you go crazy
Before you go crazy
Before it is too late (late)
Before it is too late (late)
Before it is too late
'Cause I miss you so
(Echo, echo, echo, echo
Echo, echo, echo, echo
Echo, echo, echo, echo)
Echo, echo, echo, echo)
(Echo, echo, echo, echo)
No
Have you heard the word no, no, no?
I thought so
'Cause everybody says yes
Everywhere you go
You know
If you always must know what's right
You will end up
You will end up among the ones
Who always are wrong
Remember a star that shone so bright
But now his glare fills me with fright
And now I actually fear
That something's gone wrong with your ears
I'm singing
Step out, step out of your echo chamber
Step out, step out of your echo chamber
Before it is too late (late)
Before it is too late (late)
Before it is too late
'Cause I miss you so
(Echo, echo, echo, echo)
You
You always stayed among the ones
Not so strong
Too eager to belong
To object when you were wrong
When
When will you ever get sick of
Listening to repeats
Of what you have said?
You better listen instead
To folks who think with their own head
I never want to be your foe
I just want to say I miss you so
How long will you stay in there?
I just wish that you could hear me singing
Step out, step out of your echo chamber
Step out, step out of your echo chamber
Before it is too late (late)
Before it is too late (late)
Before it is too late
'Cause I miss you so
(Step out, step out of your) echo chamber
Oh, step out, step out of your echo chamber
Step out (step out)
Before you go crazy
Before you go crazy
Before it is too late (late)
Before it is too late (late)
Before it is too late
'Cause I miss you so
(Echo, echo, echo, echo
Echo, echo, echo, echo
Echo, echo, echo, echo)
Lyrics submitted by foxyurchin
Echo Chamber Lyrics as written by Ola Salo
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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/
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.