"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.
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
(Don't worry what people say, we know the truth)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
(Enough is enough of this garbage)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Skinhead, dead head, everybody gone bad
Situation, aggravation, everybody, allegation
In the suit, on the news, everybody, dog food
Bang-bang, shot dead, everybody's gone mad
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Beat me, hate me, you can never break me
Will me, thrill me, you can never kill me
Jew me, sue me, everybody do me
Kick me, kike me, don't you black or white me
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Tell me, what has become of my life?
I have a wife and two children who love me
I am the victim of police brutality, now
I'm tired of being the victim of hate
You're ripping me of my pride, oh, for God's sake
I look to Heaven to fulfill this prophecy, set me free
Skinhead, dead head, everybody gone bad
Trepidation, speculation, everybody, allegation
In the suit, on the news, everybody, dog food
Black man, blackmail, throw the brother in jail
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Tell me, what has become of my rights?
Am I invisible 'cause you ignore me?
Your proclamation promised me free liberty, now
I'm tired of being the victim of shame
They're throwing me in a class with a bad name
I can't believe this is the land from which I came
You know, I really do hate to say it
The government don't want to see
But if Roosevelt was livin'
He wouldn't let this be, no, no
Skinhead, dead head, everybody gone bad
Situation, speculation, everybody, litigation
Beat me, bash me, you can never trash me
Hit me, kick me, you can never get me
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Some things in life, they just don't want to see
But if Martin Luther was livin'
He wouldn't let this be, no, no
Skinhead, dead head, everybody gone bad
Situation, segregation, everybody, allegation
In the suit, on the news, everybody, dog food
Kick me, kike me, don't you wrong or right me (we're deep in fire)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
(We're deep in fire)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
(I'm here to remind you)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
(Don't you sit back and watch the beatin')
All I want to say is that they don't really care about-
All I want to say is that they don't really care about-
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
(Don't worry what people say, we know the truth)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
(Enough is enough of this garbage)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Skinhead, dead head, everybody gone bad
Situation, aggravation, everybody, allegation
In the suit, on the news, everybody, dog food
Bang-bang, shot dead, everybody's gone mad
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Beat me, hate me, you can never break me
Will me, thrill me, you can never kill me
Jew me, sue me, everybody do me
Kick me, kike me, don't you black or white me
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Tell me, what has become of my life?
I have a wife and two children who love me
I am the victim of police brutality, now
I'm tired of being the victim of hate
You're ripping me of my pride, oh, for God's sake
I look to Heaven to fulfill this prophecy, set me free
Skinhead, dead head, everybody gone bad
Trepidation, speculation, everybody, allegation
In the suit, on the news, everybody, dog food
Black man, blackmail, throw the brother in jail
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Tell me, what has become of my rights?
Am I invisible 'cause you ignore me?
Your proclamation promised me free liberty, now
I'm tired of being the victim of shame
They're throwing me in a class with a bad name
I can't believe this is the land from which I came
You know, I really do hate to say it
The government don't want to see
But if Roosevelt was livin'
He wouldn't let this be, no, no
Skinhead, dead head, everybody gone bad
Situation, speculation, everybody, litigation
Beat me, bash me, you can never trash me
Hit me, kick me, you can never get me
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
Some things in life, they just don't want to see
But if Martin Luther was livin'
He wouldn't let this be, no, no
Skinhead, dead head, everybody gone bad
Situation, segregation, everybody, allegation
In the suit, on the news, everybody, dog food
Kick me, kike me, don't you wrong or right me (we're deep in fire)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
(We're deep in fire)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
(I'm here to remind you)
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
(Don't you sit back and watch the beatin')
All I want to say is that they don't really care about-
All I want to say is that they don't really care about-
All I want to say is that they don't really care about us
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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.
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
This song really pisses me off, radio stations wouldnt play it, jews screamed that it was anti semitic, I cant believe he would change it because of the media. He should have fought harder against the media since they were tearing him apart even after the apologies. never change your artistic expression whether people are offended are not. Some of the best pieces of art are very controversial. very good song
Right on....isn't that called "free speech?"<br /> He is telling it like it is in his experience....noone has to agree or like it. <br /> This song is about Michael feeling trampled on by his business handlers, the police, and the media and the government and the political leaders not giving a rat's ass not just about Michael but, all of us. He's warning us that if we find ourself in a place like he found himself, don't think there will be anyone to take up your cause in the govt. or political leaders, such as the NAACP. <br /> I think he knew alot more....<br /> The cause of his death is suspicious.