"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.
I'm dying tomorrow
In this house, this street, Chicago
I'm dying tomorrow
Did I, did I do it right?
Did I remember to sleep in
Take lots of pills
Commit Irreversible sins?
Did I, did I
At least try to kiss the prettiest girl
At the right time?
Did I remember to keep your beer as full as mine
Did I, did I remember to say cheers
Did I, did I at least try
To make sure everybody had a good time?
Had the best time
I'm dying tomorrow
In this house, this street, Chicago
I'm dying tomorrow
Did I, did I do it right?
Did I remember to stay up late
Drinking for the fun
Singing for the taste
Did I, did I
Run outside to kiss the rain
Underneath electrical skies?
Did I, did I remember to keep your beer as full as mine
Did I remember to say cheers
Did I, did I at least try to make sure everybody had a good time?
Had the best time
I'm dying tomorrow
In this house, this street, Chicago
I'm dying tomorrow
Did I do it right?
In this house, this street, Chicago
I'm dying tomorrow
Did I, did I do it right?
Did I remember to sleep in
Take lots of pills
Commit Irreversible sins?
Did I, did I
At least try to kiss the prettiest girl
At the right time?
Did I remember to keep your beer as full as mine
Did I, did I remember to say cheers
Did I, did I at least try
To make sure everybody had a good time?
Had the best time
I'm dying tomorrow
In this house, this street, Chicago
I'm dying tomorrow
Did I, did I do it right?
Did I remember to stay up late
Drinking for the fun
Singing for the taste
Did I, did I
Run outside to kiss the rain
Underneath electrical skies?
Did I, did I remember to keep your beer as full as mine
Did I remember to say cheers
Did I, did I at least try to make sure everybody had a good time?
Had the best time
I'm dying tomorrow
In this house, this street, Chicago
I'm dying tomorrow
Did I do it right?
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
this song is so sad yet it brings a good message. he wants to kill himself but at the last moment hes wondering if he lived his life as well as he could in his last moments...at least thats what i get out of it...
I don't know if it definately means he's killing himself. I always took it hypothetically, like if i were dying tommorow would i have regrets. It's almost like a challenge to live your life better.
i take hangoverv's view. i don't think it's about suicide
seems like a case of carpe dium, great song "life is wasted upon the living"
No, it's not suicide, according to me. I dig this song, though. I think it's more of a reflection on his life; did he live for happiness or was he just merely existing? Hmm... great song.
this song is really good about making sure you live your life to the fullest ... and it means alot to me ... but i don't think its about suicide...all i know is its a good song ... like all alkaline trio tunes
The only time suicide ever passed through my mind is when I read the title, before I ever heard the song. It's about wondering if he's lived a good life, if he's done everything he wants to, that he needed to. If he died tomorrow, would he be ready? I love this song because it's not sad, really, it's just kind of pessimistic.
I totally disagree with that suicide comment, for if you just even read the lyrics you know instantlly.. that's its a classic case of 'living your life to the fullest'. "Did I, Did I do it right?"
.. argh sorry.. anyway.. i think "did i, did i do it right" definetlly means as "dancingchiquitas" said.. did he live life for happiness or was he just merely existing they put that into words perfectlly. no further explanation needed.
Rock on, kids.
Oh man, I didn't comment on this song yet?! This song is absolutely amazing. All of my friends think it's about suicide and because I like it, I'm suicidal. Hah. I think it has absolutely nothing to do with suicide. To me, it's all about living your life to the fullest - be good to others, have fun, cherish life. If I died tomorrow, would I be happy with the life I have lived? Great song, even better band.