"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.
Take a ride to the other side
Cause it feels so nice just to drive and drive and drive.
I'd make amends for the other night
If you'd be here with me holding me tight.
Is this the chance when we fly away?
Cause I need to know if I'm coming back,
I push and pull just to get what I want.
In the end I should know that you bring it all to me.
Reach out, you can go overboard if you want to.
In and out, don't lose control, don't lose control.
Just don't take it back.
And I get so close, but I runaway, I runaway.
Things I fear the most, keep me here to stay, but anyway
Can we try for right now, free of doubt.
If you give the chance I could try and figure out.
I'm kind of scared because I don't know how.
But I'm watching the close calls and catching my breath now.
There could be time when I'd fly away.
But you need to know that I'm coming back.
Don't want to push and pull anymore,
Just to get what I want, when you bring it all to me.
You said you always wanted someone to tell you it's OK.
Well, I guess it's my chance to tell everyone everything.
Can we talk about this?
Give me the chance and we'll fly away.
Can we walk around this?
Give me the chance and we'll fly away.
Cause it feels so nice just to drive and drive and drive.
I'd make amends for the other night
If you'd be here with me holding me tight.
Is this the chance when we fly away?
Cause I need to know if I'm coming back,
I push and pull just to get what I want.
In the end I should know that you bring it all to me.
Reach out, you can go overboard if you want to.
In and out, don't lose control, don't lose control.
Just don't take it back.
And I get so close, but I runaway, I runaway.
Things I fear the most, keep me here to stay, but anyway
Can we try for right now, free of doubt.
If you give the chance I could try and figure out.
I'm kind of scared because I don't know how.
But I'm watching the close calls and catching my breath now.
There could be time when I'd fly away.
But you need to know that I'm coming back.
Don't want to push and pull anymore,
Just to get what I want, when you bring it all to me.
You said you always wanted someone to tell you it's OK.
Well, I guess it's my chance to tell everyone everything.
Can we talk about this?
Give me the chance and we'll fly away.
Can we walk around this?
Give me the chance and we'll fly away.
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Man, Mae does an awesome job with lyrics...
this song is about over coming the fear of relationships and commitment
Yea man, the commitment is what im thinking too. great song too.
Hi! Does anyone have the cover of this CD? I can't find it! Please send me a message if you have it! Thanx!
Musically, I believe this is the worst song on the album
Mae is an awesome band. Their lyrics and music are so great. When we're finally allowed to add lyrics I'll try to add the rest of the songs they have for everyone.
mae sure does like to drive....hmmm....a lot of their songs refer to them driving. meh, anyway fabulous cd! ellie
::sigh:: one of mae's best.
Giving It Away is much more complete song...agree?
i interpret this with relationships..one with your God, boyfriend/girlfriend..or just a friend.
with Christ you may try really hard to solve everything on your own.."i push and pull just to get what i want" but you can't do it all on your own and you shouldn't try to..we weren't made to.
sometimes in your faith you fall in and out in your relationship with God..but after you've accepted him he's always there. even if he's hidden. you just have to realize that he's there..goin with the chorus..and you always have the fear brought by the Lord.."the things i fear the most keep me here to stay"
but also in boyfriend/girlfriend situations..you want them to tell the truth and you want a serious kind of love..but your afraid of hurt and dont want them to say anything they wont mean."Reach out- you can go overboard if you want to In and out- don't lose control, don't lose control Just don't take it back "