"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.
They just point the finger they don't care
They don't think I know you think
Where did I go wrong? what did I do?
Where did I conflict with you?
You can't tell me that you care
When you're never ever there
I don't ask a lot from you
But you've got better things to do
I thought I knew you I don't know
Do you just want me to go? cause I'll go
Actions over words to you I'm nothing
You seem so far away where are you today?
Don't just leave me in a box
Then walk away
Don't just put me in a box
For a rainy day [Repeat: x1]
They don't think I know you think
Where did I go wrong? what did I do?
Where did I conflict with you?
You can't tell me that you care
When you're never ever there
I don't ask a lot from you
But you've got better things to do
I thought I knew you I don't know
Do you just want me to go? cause I'll go
Actions over words to you I'm nothing
You seem so far away where are you today?
Don't just leave me in a box
Then walk away
Don't just put me in a box
For a rainy day [Repeat: x1]
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
i like this song, i can relate with it.. it's like where you feel really let down by a person and you're like 'uhh.. what did i do?' hmm. and when you think you know a person, but they do something really unexpected.. yep, good song.
This is one of my fav MxPx songs. I can relate, its about people coming around when they need you, or when it's good time for them. Their actions tell you that they really dont care.