"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 met a boy wearing Vans, 501s
And a dope Beastie tee, nipple rings
New tattoos that claimed that he
Was OGT, back from '92, from the first EP
And in between sips of Coke
He told me that he thought we were sellin' out
Layin' down, suckin' up to the man
Well now I've got some
Advice for you, little buddy
Before you point the finger
You should know that I'm the man
I'm the man and you're the man
And he's the man as well
So you can point that fuckin' finger up your ass
All you know about me is what I've sold ya, dumb fuck
I sold out long before you'd ever even heard my name
I sold my soul to make a record, dip shit
And then you bought one
I've got some advice for you, little buddy
Before you point the finger
You should know that I'm the man
If I'm the fucking man
Then you're the fucking man as well
So you can point that fuckin' finger up your ass
All you know about me is what I've sold you, dumb fuck
I sold out long before you'd ever even heard my name
I sold my soul to make a record, dip shit
And then you bought one
All you read and wear or see and
Hear on tv is a product begging for your
Fat-ass dirty dollar
Shut up and
Buy, buy, buy my new record
And buy, buy, buy, send more money
Fuck you, buddy
Fuck you, buddy
Fuck you, buddy
Fuck you, buddy
And a dope Beastie tee, nipple rings
New tattoos that claimed that he
Was OGT, back from '92, from the first EP
And in between sips of Coke
He told me that he thought we were sellin' out
Layin' down, suckin' up to the man
Well now I've got some
Advice for you, little buddy
Before you point the finger
You should know that I'm the man
I'm the man and you're the man
And he's the man as well
So you can point that fuckin' finger up your ass
All you know about me is what I've sold ya, dumb fuck
I sold out long before you'd ever even heard my name
I sold my soul to make a record, dip shit
And then you bought one
I've got some advice for you, little buddy
Before you point the finger
You should know that I'm the man
If I'm the fucking man
Then you're the fucking man as well
So you can point that fuckin' finger up your ass
All you know about me is what I've sold you, dumb fuck
I sold out long before you'd ever even heard my name
I sold my soul to make a record, dip shit
And then you bought one
All you read and wear or see and
Hear on tv is a product begging for your
Fat-ass dirty dollar
Shut up and
Buy, buy, buy my new record
And buy, buy, buy, send more money
Fuck you, buddy
Fuck you, buddy
Fuck you, buddy
Fuck you, buddy
Lyrics submitted by implode, edited by Juniorefix
Hooker with a Penis Lyrics as written by Daniel Carey Adam Jones
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
This is about some kid talking to Maynard about Undertow. The kid, declaring himself a true Tool fan (OGT - Original Gangsta Tool) apparently called MJK a sellout for releasing Undertow, a major label record. Maynard turns his words around into the chorus that says, "We all participate in capitalism, so by saying you don't like it, you're being hypocritical." He goes on to say that the kid knows nothing about him except for what Maynard lets him know, so he's in no position to tell him how to live. Just invest in Tool and your soul is safe.
Actually...when asked about Hooker with a Penis...the song is NOT ABOUT a specific converstaion with a Tool fan...its an imaginary converstaion Maynard is having based on his own artisitic fear that with Tool's monetary success...that people..their fans...will believe they have sold out...I bet anyone who has heard that song has though twice about confronting Maynard that they have sold out
Actually... he was talking to me about it. I told him Tool sucks and that his mom probably liked sticking carrots up his ass as a kid and he got all mad. But he also said he'd write me a song.
It also has ties to the original bass player(Paul D'Amour) leaving. In an interview, Maynard said that Paul suffered from "indie guilt" and didn't want the band getting any bigger than it already was from Undertow.
I disagree. I don't think that he's saying capitalism is the H w/ a P, He's saying that HE's the H w/ a P. He's like "You know what buddy, (I love when he says buddy!) I might have sold myself (hooker), but I'M still the one who fucking YOU!(-he's got the cock) So fuck you." That's what it is. Most definitely.
I think you guys are wrong about the name I think that Hooker With A Penis is a reference to "You only know what I've sold you" Meaning, You only know the surface of Maynard. I.E. What he wants you to know. He's the hooker and you don't know he has a penis. Which is saying that you have no idea what really lies beneath.
This song taught me everything I needed to know to pass High School economics
I don't think this song is purposefully about capitalism. It's more about hypocrisy, just Maynard responding to people who tell the band that they are selling out.
This kid has the audacity to tell Maynard that Tool is "selling out and sucking up to the man" for making a major-label record, even though he's wearing brand name clothes, drinking Coke, and getting tattoos of products. And Maynard is calling him out on his hypocrisy and telling him that unless he's willing to throw away his clothes and get rid of his tattoos, he can just shut his fucking mouth.
All I have to say is why does this song have the rating it does? What fool rated it low? This song is not only hilarious but it brings a good point across and is just entertaining. The chorus is great to sing along with. Tool will always be a great band.
This song is a big FUCK to all the "dip shit" who repeatedly call bands sell outs. EVERY single band who ever releases an album is litterally a sell out. MJK is basically telling all of them "We live in a capitalist world, deal with it. Criticizing bands for this only shows you're a dumb fuck who's completely missing the point. You're criticizing, but you're the one getting fucked in the end, so don't tell me what to do."
I think we can apply this message to other aspects of the world than the capitalist system. This represents the essence of Maynard's message saying , we all have our flaws, don't be a fuckin' hypocrite and admit that you are a inperfect person as well. The world would be a much more peaceful place if more people thaught this way.
I absolutely love this song.
i like that tool throw's out props to the beastie boys. I think this song is very unique in the manner that from what i understand there was a lil controversy over bands selling out so to speak and tool just like many other major bands within the culture of music "sale out". Honestly, we as fans dont truly know the individuals writing and recording these songs, and I think the point of this entire song is that whether or not TOOL sold out or not is irrelevent because the music that they write and produce continues to be amazing and what we the consumer want more and more of. Honestly, there people just like everyone else. They believe what they want and leave the rest up to the individual to believe what they want. At the end of the day, there pretty awesome and create well thought out and well put togethor music that we all love and enjoy. If that makes them a "sale out" then so be it, im going to keep buying there shit.
@walter2boys Actually, Maynard is not giving props to the Beastie Boys (nor is he dissing them). The guy calling Maynard and Tool out as sellouts is meant to be ironic. He purports himself as the hardcore fan, "The OG", and all around cool guy, but he's clearly bought into the popular culture of coolness. He's wearing Levi's Jeans, low-pro Vans shoes, has freshly inked tattoos (suggesting he's only recently adopted his identity and sense of style), has typical piercings, and drinks Coca-Cola. The Beastie Boys shirt is just another outward expression of perceived internal coolness. Whose going to ever say the Beastie Boys are not cool? They're edgy and different and cross-over into the hip-hop genre. The shirt could have been Nirvana or Slayer. Clearly this guy's sucking up to "The Man" and has failed to realize it. Maybe he also has a chain-wallet, drives some sleek classic car in all black, shops at an independent record stores (not Tower Records), etc.. Calling Maynard/Tool "sell-outs" is the ultimate irony as he's the biggest "buy-in" on the planet. We can make our own conclusions about the remainder of the song, but I think most people generally interpret it in the same way: Maynard is a musician who makes a living making music. Somehow becoming popular is viewed as negative, while being a poor underground band is considered awesome. Mainstream or not, these bands are making money from the fans who buy their albums, merchandise, and go to their shows. No matter how "OG" you think you are, we are all products of consumerism. Great song. I will play it to my kids when the are teenagers going through their identity crises.
lol ive never heard it but the lyrics are fucking hilarious