"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.
[Chorus]
Concede and believe me
I won't give up, I won't give out on you
Concede and believe me
I won't give up, I won't give out on you
Oh no no no-la la la la la
You
Oh no
Now hear, I promise to listen
Why won't you go for that
Now hear, I promise to hold you
Why won't you go for that
If I had wings and I could fly
Well I'd still walk with you
If I had a safe place to lie
I'd want to lay with you
[Chorus]
So now you shut off and you shut down
Won't let nobody in
And when you shut off and you shut down
Won't play that fool again
I've seen your inside, you stay inside
And I won't go for that
I've seen your quarters
Seen your crooked sacred pictures on the wall
[Chorus]
I'll be your jester, be your fool
Compromising fool
I'll be your jester, be your fool
[Chorus]
Concede and believe me
I won't give up, I won't give out on you
Concede and believe me
I won't give up, I won't give out on you
Oh no no no-la la la la la
You
Oh no
Now hear, I promise to listen
Why won't you go for that
Now hear, I promise to hold you
Why won't you go for that
If I had wings and I could fly
Well I'd still walk with you
If I had a safe place to lie
I'd want to lay with you
[Chorus]
So now you shut off and you shut down
Won't let nobody in
And when you shut off and you shut down
Won't play that fool again
I've seen your inside, you stay inside
And I won't go for that
I've seen your quarters
Seen your crooked sacred pictures on the wall
[Chorus]
I'll be your jester, be your fool
Compromising fool
I'll be your jester, be your fool
[Chorus]
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
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”
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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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.
I think most of Sister Hazel's songs are pretty straight forward as far as what they mean....I love this one :)
Very straightforward in meaning, and very meaningful to me at one time -- and many other people at least one point in their lives. Also helps that it's mad-catchy.