"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.
la la la la la
This is my stop
Got to get off
I might go pop
Excuse me, Excuse me
I've got to be direct
la la la
If I'm off, please correct
la la la
You're standing on my neck
Look right through me
Say I'm gloomy
Well so sue me
Excuse me, excuse me
I've got to be direct
la la la
Its like a big train wreck
la la la
You're standing on my neck
la la la
You're standing on my neck
la la la
You're standing
Nothing is like I planned it
So funny I can't stand it
Wish I was made of granite
I must be on another planet
la la la la la
la la la la la
This is my stop
I've got to get off
I might go pop
Excuse me, excuse me
Ive got to be direct
la la la
If I'm off please correct
la la la
You're standing on my neck
la la la
You're standing on my neck
la la la
You're staning on my neck
la la la la la X15 or till end
This is my stop
Got to get off
I might go pop
Excuse me, Excuse me
I've got to be direct
la la la
If I'm off, please correct
la la la
You're standing on my neck
Look right through me
Say I'm gloomy
Well so sue me
Excuse me, excuse me
I've got to be direct
la la la
Its like a big train wreck
la la la
You're standing on my neck
la la la
You're standing on my neck
la la la
You're standing
Nothing is like I planned it
So funny I can't stand it
Wish I was made of granite
I must be on another planet
la la la la la
la la la la la
This is my stop
I've got to get off
I might go pop
Excuse me, excuse me
Ive got to be direct
la la la
If I'm off please correct
la la la
You're standing on my neck
la la la
You're standing on my neck
la la la
You're staning on my neck
la la la la la X15 or till end
Lyrics submitted by goodriddance, edited by orionshmorion
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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.
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,
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
i know it's probably not important but this song is actually called "you're standing on my neck"
yeah i agree with decryptor. The song title should be changed to "You're standing on my neck"
I love this song lol. It's very addictive, I can't stop listening to it. I was watching Daria one day so I decided to find out who sung it.
Cooooooollll!!!!!! I am so mad they don't show Daria anymore. One of my favorite cartoons. I miss all of the old MTV cartoons (Liquid MTV, Cartoon Sushi, and my favorite-- DOWNTOWN!!!).
I always thought it said "If I'm wrong, please correct."
I love this song. I found it one day and was so proud of myself considering I had previously looking EVERYWHERE for it. I love the "it's like a big train wreck" bit and "well so sure me". it's so daria-ish. i love daria too. such a good show. I wish they'd bring it back on tv...
Daria's pissed at the world...
Yeah i miss this show too. Awesome theme song though.
I think this song is about when you feel so different from the rest of the world that you think you might be from another planet. And all those annoying people who always tell you "You never smile, you are always gloomy, etc. etc..." just don't understand you because you see things in life in a way nobody else does. "It's like a big train wreck" means that it's really heavy having to deal with these people all the time. "You're standing on my neck" means you are annoying me because you can't accept that I am different and I am okay with that and I don't want to change just to fit in, but clearly you are not okay with that.