"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'm just a man (ooh)
I'm just a man (ooh)
I'm just a man (ooh)
Scared of love
When they asked me (when they ask me)
Why I don't like love (don't like love)
Or why I don't have a lady (have a lady)
Maybe it's because I know
As soon as I tell her (tell her)
How I feel about her ('bout her)
As soon as I act like (act like)
I love her she's gone
I'm just a man
I'm just a man
Scared of love
I'm just a man
That's why I don't have a lady
I'm just a man
Scared of love
I really was so into you
But you don't know what I'm going through
You say you really care for me
But in love there's no guarantee
So, I think I outta take my time (take my time)
'Cause love ain't no friend of mine you see
Don't let me get you too confused
You're the friend I don't want to lose
If I made a choice it's you I choose
But my heart's a tad bit through
So, I try to get you off my mind (off my mind)
But a remedy I cannot find for you
I'm just a man
I'm just a man
Scared of love
I'm just a man
That's why I don't have a lady
I'm just a man
Scared of love
I'm never gonna try to find
Another I'm just out for mine (mine)
I left so many far behind
But traces you'll never find
No, I can cover all my tracks (all my tracks)
Won't be nothin' gettin' back to you
Now don't think that I'm being rude
Because I won't commit to you (to you)
When other women want to screw
What's a player supposed to do
So, I be slippin' on my hat (on my hat)
I won't be bringin' nothin' back to you
I'm just a man
I'm just a man
Scared of love
I'm just a man
That's why I don't have a lady
I'm just a man
Scared of love
I'm just a man
I'm just a man
Scared of love
I'm just a man
That's why I don't have a lady
I'm just a man
Scared of love
I'm just a man (ooh)
I'm just a man (ooh)
Scared of love
When they asked me (when they ask me)
Why I don't like love (don't like love)
Or why I don't have a lady (have a lady)
Maybe it's because I know
As soon as I tell her (tell her)
How I feel about her ('bout her)
As soon as I act like (act like)
I love her she's gone
I'm just a man
I'm just a man
Scared of love
I'm just a man
That's why I don't have a lady
I'm just a man
Scared of love
I really was so into you
But you don't know what I'm going through
You say you really care for me
But in love there's no guarantee
So, I think I outta take my time (take my time)
'Cause love ain't no friend of mine you see
Don't let me get you too confused
You're the friend I don't want to lose
If I made a choice it's you I choose
But my heart's a tad bit through
So, I try to get you off my mind (off my mind)
But a remedy I cannot find for you
I'm just a man
I'm just a man
Scared of love
I'm just a man
That's why I don't have a lady
I'm just a man
Scared of love
I'm never gonna try to find
Another I'm just out for mine (mine)
I left so many far behind
But traces you'll never find
No, I can cover all my tracks (all my tracks)
Won't be nothin' gettin' back to you
Now don't think that I'm being rude
Because I won't commit to you (to you)
When other women want to screw
What's a player supposed to do
So, I be slippin' on my hat (on my hat)
I won't be bringin' nothin' back to you
I'm just a man
I'm just a man
Scared of love
I'm just a man
That's why I don't have a lady
I'm just a man
Scared of love
I'm just a man
I'm just a man
Scared of love
I'm just a man
That's why I don't have a lady
I'm just a man
Scared of love
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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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”
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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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 know that feeling of being scared.
You ok?
Yes, just scared of love, of being trapped.
??? Love is freeing. Sets the soul free.
Ya but unfortunately a lot of people don't see it that way.<br /> They're afraid of being hurt in the end and don't want to take the risk and see the person possibly leave them. Others don't think that love is forever.<br /> Or their afraid of rejection or a fear of being exposed.<br /> Or just of something else.<br /> Who knows..<br /> :(
Ya but unfortunately a lot of people don't see it that way. They're afraid of being hurt in the end and don't want to take the risk and see the person possibly leave them. Others don't think that love is forever. Or their afraid of rejection or a fear of being exposed. Or just of something else. Who knows.. :(
sorry this was meant as a reply to the last comment _
sorry this was meant as a reply to the last comment *.^
I know. You're right. :( It is sort of scary.
When you live a certain way and feel so close to heavenly stuff, it can get really difficult, because those you love around and are supposed to love bring you down, and all you do all your life is rebuild yourself. I believe in a saviour, I believe in friends, because they have been my only good experiences. I struggle with people who are meant to be close to you, because they suffocate and drown you.
:( Im sorry if you feel that way. I'll go to bed. Goodnight.
I am not talking about you Bella, and I am not your chéri boy.
@leavesintheriver Yes, love should be forever.