"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.
Well, there's a little boy waiting at the counter of the corner shop
He's been waiting down there, waiting half the day
They never ever see him from the top
He gets pushed around, knocked to the ground
He gets to his feet and he says
What about me?
It isn't fair
I've had enough, now I want my share
Can't you see, I wanna live
But you just take more than you give
Well, there's a pretty girl serving at the counter of the corner shop
She's been waiting back there, waiting for a dream
Her dreams walk in and out, they never stop
Well she's not too proud, to cry out loud
She runs to the street and she screams
What about me?
It isn't fair
I've had enough, now I want my share
Can't you see, I wanna live
But you just take more than you give
More than you give
Take a step back and see the little people
They might be young but they're the ones
that make the big people big
So listen as they whisper
"What about me?"
And now I'm standing on the corner
All the world's gone home
Nobody's changed, nobody's been saved
And I'm feeling cold and alone
I guess I'm lucky, I smile a lot
But sometimes I wish for more than I've got
What about me?
It isn't fair
I've had enough, now I want my share
Can't you see, I wanna live
But you just take more than you give
It isn't fair
I've had enough, now I want my share
Can't you see, I wanna live
But you just take more
you just take more
you just take more than you give
What about me?
What about me?
What about me?
He's been waiting down there, waiting half the day
They never ever see him from the top
He gets pushed around, knocked to the ground
He gets to his feet and he says
What about me?
It isn't fair
I've had enough, now I want my share
Can't you see, I wanna live
But you just take more than you give
Well, there's a pretty girl serving at the counter of the corner shop
She's been waiting back there, waiting for a dream
Her dreams walk in and out, they never stop
Well she's not too proud, to cry out loud
She runs to the street and she screams
What about me?
It isn't fair
I've had enough, now I want my share
Can't you see, I wanna live
But you just take more than you give
More than you give
Take a step back and see the little people
They might be young but they're the ones
that make the big people big
So listen as they whisper
"What about me?"
And now I'm standing on the corner
All the world's gone home
Nobody's changed, nobody's been saved
And I'm feeling cold and alone
I guess I'm lucky, I smile a lot
But sometimes I wish for more than I've got
What about me?
It isn't fair
I've had enough, now I want my share
Can't you see, I wanna live
But you just take more than you give
It isn't fair
I've had enough, now I want my share
Can't you see, I wanna live
But you just take more
you just take more
you just take more than you give
What about me?
What about me?
What about me?
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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."
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.
This is undoubtedly my absolute favorite song, but this sight didn't get the lyrics correct. The lyrics go; "take a step and see the little people they might be young, but they're the ones that make the big people big" that is very disappointing