"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.
Lyrics
Translation
Maiden in the mor lay,
A maiden on the moor lay,
In the mor lay;
On the moor lay;
Sevenight fulle,
Seven whole nights,
Sevenight fulle,
Seven whole nights,
Maiden in the mor lay;
A maiden on the moor lay;
In the mor lay,
On the moor lay,
Sevenightes fulle and a day.
Seven whole nights and a day.
Welle was hire dring.
She drank very well.
What was hire dring?
But what did she drink?
The chelde water of the -
The icy water of the -
The chelde water of the -
The icy water of the -
Welle was hire dring.
The well was her drink?
What was hire dring?
What did she drink?
The chelde water of the welle-spring.
The well-spring. s icy water.
Welle was hire bowr.
Well-appointed was her bower.
What was hire bowr?
But what was her bower?
The rede rose and the -
The red rose and the -
The rede rose and the -
The red rose and the -
Welle was hire bowr.
Well-appointed was her bower.
What was hire bowr?
But what was her bower?
The rede rose and the lilye flour.
The red rose and the lily flower.
Translation
Maiden in the mor lay,
A maiden on the moor lay,
In the mor lay;
On the moor lay;
Sevenight fulle,
Seven whole nights,
Sevenight fulle,
Seven whole nights,
Maiden in the mor lay;
A maiden on the moor lay;
In the mor lay,
On the moor lay,
Sevenightes fulle and a day.
Seven whole nights and a day.
Welle was hire dring.
She drank very well.
What was hire dring?
But what did she drink?
The chelde water of the -
The icy water of the -
The chelde water of the -
The icy water of the -
Welle was hire dring.
The well was her drink?
What was hire dring?
What did she drink?
The chelde water of the welle-spring.
The well-spring. s icy water.
Welle was hire bowr.
Well-appointed was her bower.
What was hire bowr?
But what was her bower?
The rede rose and the -
The red rose and the -
The rede rose and the -
The red rose and the -
Welle was hire bowr.
Well-appointed was her bower.
What was hire bowr?
But what was her bower?
The rede rose and the lilye flour.
The red rose and the lily flower.
Lyrics submitted by Aria
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
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.
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,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.