"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.
Sometimes I run
But I am not afraid
Why must you bring up all mistakes I've made
She makes me smile
Then you come around
The wind in her hair reflects the sunset I see
You make it seem like it was yesterday
But we've come a long way
Out of the rain
Can't seem to figure out what happens after this
Why can't I?
Why must you say I've made a mess of things
I won't believe it
Tonight feels right like I'm dancing on air
I'll make it right, I'll make it right
Pull over to the station and fill up on fuel
What will I do?
Sometimes I drive with my eyes closed tight
'Cause if the skyline looks this way
Then I don't want to sleep tonight
Never giving up
Always seeking light
We must always try, try with all our might
But I am not afraid
Why must you bring up all mistakes I've made
She makes me smile
Then you come around
The wind in her hair reflects the sunset I see
You make it seem like it was yesterday
But we've come a long way
Out of the rain
Can't seem to figure out what happens after this
Why can't I?
Why must you say I've made a mess of things
I won't believe it
Tonight feels right like I'm dancing on air
I'll make it right, I'll make it right
Pull over to the station and fill up on fuel
What will I do?
Sometimes I drive with my eyes closed tight
'Cause if the skyline looks this way
Then I don't want to sleep tonight
Never giving up
Always seeking light
We must always try, try with all our might
Lyrics submitted by Trebmal
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
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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,
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.
awesome...
I feel like this version lacks alot of the energy and the punch that the old version had on the Sky's The Limit album, anyone else agree?
lyprulz i know what you mean about this version lacking punch on the cd. the old sky's the limit version had a raw energy build up to it. they still have that energy when they play it live though. great song. "cause if the skyline looks this way then i don't want to sleep tonight"
Hi! Does anyone have the cover of this CD? I can't find it! Please send me a message if you have it! Thanx!
yeah this is definitely the best mae song instrumentally. i do agree about the difference in sky's the limit and this, but its a better recording so i listen to the cd version more. if you like this though check out copeland, you've prolly already heard them but yeah just as good as mae and they are going on tour with them and eliott so that will be like the best show ever.
this is one of the most beautiful songs i've ever heard.
and i think both, 'sky's the limit' and 'mae' did a wonderful job. the song remains the same and most loevly.
in terms of meaning... this is what dave has to say about the song on the skys the limit site in case anyone is interested:Trying to understand the significance of purification through the blood of Christ. Forgiveness is the first step. Purification is a long, continual process. If the enemy can keep the sin fresh in your mind he's still got a hold on you. Let God take you to a new place. The joy of the Lord revives all things as never before.
um... i don't agree with sureXshot33 at all... but okay.
this is definately the best song insturmentally though.
um... thats what the singer, who actually wrote the song, had to say about it.
that was a while ago though, but i guess it was what he was thinking about when he wrote it
This song is so beautiful. May is the most beautiful band I ever heard of.