"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 don't know why you bother
Nothing's ever good enough for you
I was there
And it wasn't like that
You came here
Just to start a fight
You had to piss on our parade
You had to shred our big day
You had to ruin it for all concerned
In a drunken punch up at a wedding
Hypocrite opportunist
Don't infect me with your poison
A bull in a china shop
When I turn around you stay
Frozen to the spot
The pointless snide remarks
Of hammer headed sharks
The pot will call the kettle black
It's a drunken punchup at a wedding, yeah
Nothing's ever good enough for you
I was there
And it wasn't like that
You came here
Just to start a fight
You had to piss on our parade
You had to shred our big day
You had to ruin it for all concerned
In a drunken punch up at a wedding
Hypocrite opportunist
Don't infect me with your poison
A bull in a china shop
When I turn around you stay
Frozen to the spot
The pointless snide remarks
Of hammer headed sharks
The pot will call the kettle black
It's a drunken punchup at a wedding, yeah
Lyrics submitted by ruben, edited by -109397868
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
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.
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/
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.
It was always clear for me what this was about. Those "strictly British" sayings that you all are talking about... can't be, because I'm American and I've heard them all my life. Now, I'm going to go through every line and say what the song means.
I don't know why you bother (Why do you listen to music if you can't appreciate it?) Nothing's ever good enough for you (My band just tried its absolute best, and you dismissed it as if it was nothing!) (By the way) I was there (See that in the video? Yeah, that was me up on that stage.) It wasn't like that (Clearly, whatever it is you saw, you misinterpreted.) You've come here just to start a fight (The only reason you say things about peoples' music is to create controversy which makes you money.) You had to piss on our parade You had to shred our big day (You saw us having a blast, and we became your targets. We didn't deserve that.) You had to ruin it for all concerned (Our momentum is seriously damaged now, just because of what you said.) In a drunken punch-up at a wedding, yeah (The "wedding" is beautiful art of music, and the "drunken punch-up" is a fight that doesn't belong) Hypocrite opportunist (Oh, is that a Linkin Park CD that you're hiding there? My bad, I thought you liked music.) Don't infect me with your poison (I'm not going to let your stupid comments bring me down) A bull in a china shop (People like you are unspeakably destructive.) When I turn around, you stay frozen to the spot (You talk quite a bit when I'm not paying attention, but when I respond? Jackass.) You had the pointless snide remarks (Think before you speak, and then don't.) Of hammerheaded sharks (You, and critics like you, feed on the blood of good bands.) The pot will call the kettle black (Yeah, I'm talking to you. Get out YOUR fucking guitar.) It's a drunken punchup at a wedding, yeah (etc etc.)
Was that so hard? Also, the people that argue simplicity. Thom Yorke got an English degree at Exeter. Really.
I love this comment, I thought it was a riot.<br /> <br /> Ironically (given your parting comment), this is a fairly simple song. (Except for people who can't grasp metaphors, I guess.)
I love this song, just because of how he has managed to totally attack those who do what the lyrics say, amazing! Thom you legend!
@bentheindividual I like to think it's about opinions in general. Opinions are subjective, but some people think their opinions are true. we must tolerate other opinions, even murderers. our opinions change by themselves. how could we manipulate all of them?