"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.
There'll be no darkness tonight
Lady, our love will shine (lighting the night)
Just put your trust in my heart
And meet me in paradise (now is the time)
Girl, you're every wonder in this world to me
A treasure time won't steal away
So listen to my heart
Lay your body close to mine
Let me fill you with my dreams
I can make you feel alright
And, baby, through the years
Gonna love you more each day
So I promise you tonight
That you will always be the lady in my life
Lay back in my tenderness
Let's make this a night we won't forget
Girl, I need your sweet caress, oh
Reach out to a fantasy
Two hearts in a beat of ecstasy
Come to me, girl
And I will keep you warm
Through the shadows of the night
Let me touch you with my love
I can make you feel so right
And, baby, through the years
Even when we're old and gray
I will love you more each day
'Cause you will always be the lady in my life
Stay with me
I want you to stay with me
I need you by my side
Don't you go nowhere
(Ooh, girl, let me keep you warm)
Let me keep you warm (you are the lady in my life)
You're my lady (feel you with the sweetest love)
I want to squeeze you
(Always the lady in my life)
I want to touch you, baby
(Lay back in my tenderness)
(You are the lady in my life)
(Rock me with your sweet caress)
(Always the lady in my life)
You're my lady and I love you, girl
(Ooh, girl, let me keep you warm)
(You are the lady in my life)
Don't you go nowhere
(Feel you with the sweetest love) I love you
(Always the lady in my life) I love you, I need you, I want you, baby
(Lay back in my tenderness)
Stay with me (you are the lady in my life)
Don't you go nowhere
(Rock me with your sweet caress) and I love you, baby
(Always the lady in my life) ooh
Ooh, babe
Don't you go nowhere
You're my lady
All through the night
(Ooh, girl, let me keep you warm) I want to give you all
(You are the lady in my life) in my life, now
(Feel you with the sweetest love) let me feel you, baby
(Always the lady in my life) all over, all over, all over
(Lay back in my tenderness) lay back with me
(You are the lady in my life) let me touch you, girl
(Rock me with your sweet caress) lay back with me
(Always the lady in my life) all over, all over, all over
(Ooh, girl, let me keep you warm) all over, all over, all over
(You are the lady in my life) all over, babe, woo
(Fill you with the sweetest love)
(Always the lady in my life) you're my lady
(Lay back in my tenderness) you're my lady, babe
(You are the lady in my life) hee
Lady, our love will shine (lighting the night)
Just put your trust in my heart
And meet me in paradise (now is the time)
Girl, you're every wonder in this world to me
A treasure time won't steal away
So listen to my heart
Lay your body close to mine
Let me fill you with my dreams
I can make you feel alright
And, baby, through the years
Gonna love you more each day
So I promise you tonight
That you will always be the lady in my life
Lay back in my tenderness
Let's make this a night we won't forget
Girl, I need your sweet caress, oh
Reach out to a fantasy
Two hearts in a beat of ecstasy
Come to me, girl
And I will keep you warm
Through the shadows of the night
Let me touch you with my love
I can make you feel so right
And, baby, through the years
Even when we're old and gray
I will love you more each day
'Cause you will always be the lady in my life
Stay with me
I want you to stay with me
I need you by my side
Don't you go nowhere
(Ooh, girl, let me keep you warm)
Let me keep you warm (you are the lady in my life)
You're my lady (feel you with the sweetest love)
I want to squeeze you
(Always the lady in my life)
I want to touch you, baby
(Lay back in my tenderness)
(You are the lady in my life)
(Rock me with your sweet caress)
(Always the lady in my life)
You're my lady and I love you, girl
(Ooh, girl, let me keep you warm)
(You are the lady in my life)
Don't you go nowhere
(Feel you with the sweetest love) I love you
(Always the lady in my life) I love you, I need you, I want you, baby
(Lay back in my tenderness)
Stay with me (you are the lady in my life)
Don't you go nowhere
(Rock me with your sweet caress) and I love you, baby
(Always the lady in my life) ooh
Ooh, babe
Don't you go nowhere
You're my lady
All through the night
(Ooh, girl, let me keep you warm) I want to give you all
(You are the lady in my life) in my life, now
(Feel you with the sweetest love) let me feel you, baby
(Always the lady in my life) all over, all over, all over
(Lay back in my tenderness) lay back with me
(You are the lady in my life) let me touch you, girl
(Rock me with your sweet caress) lay back with me
(Always the lady in my life) all over, all over, all over
(Ooh, girl, let me keep you warm) all over, all over, all over
(You are the lady in my life) all over, babe, woo
(Fill you with the sweetest love)
(Always the lady in my life) you're my lady
(Lay back in my tenderness) you're my lady, babe
(You are the lady in my life) hee
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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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.
This song is so beautiful; i can't believe no one has commented. It reminds me of the song Fantasy by Earth, Wind & Fire at the chorus. I think its just about him telling a woman how much he loves her and could do for her. Aww. =]
I, too, listen to this before I sleep, but I wish I had that special lady to serade. Someday...
Beautiful song!
one of the ultimate love songs
I listen to this song over and over every night before I go to sleep. And every night I wish it was about me. Haha...
LOL join the club...I totally know what you mean
In a completely non-creepy way shifty eyes
love the fact that MJ has inspired so many people. Just discovered this was the song ll cool j sampled for my fav slow jam 'hey lover'!
candizfitinyomouth, you just made me feel a lot less creepy, lol. this song isn't necessarily my favorite of his, but it's absolutely the most beautiful song he's ever written.
I think she made all of us feel less creepy...haha
this song completely melts me every time I listen to it...It's so beautiful
Actually, James Ingram wrote the song, but Mike delivered it beautifully.
As far as I know it was written by Rod Temperton.<br /> <br /> No matter what it's a great song!
I think you're right.
I never really appreciated this song until now. Michaels vocal is so moving. The chorus makes me wanna cry.
I miss you MJ. You're the man!
very beautiful song. I would have expected it to chart higher.