"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.
We're professional punkers we come from the suburbs
After 15 years we're still having fun
Now we're over 30 still looking so purty at least we got a beat up accordian
That's Erik our drummer his father's a plumber
He drank enough booze to get Rhode Island drunk
Now he's straight but still smelly he's got one big belly
From livin the good life provided by punk
Singin singin singin
Buy me a Becks beer or pass me a bong
Gimme some Bushmills I'll sing you this song
Open another big box of cheap wine we're over 30 we're doing just fine
El Hefe is not satanic he's one hip hispanic
He grew up with one dozen cousins and kin
He wears baggy pants he knows how to break dance
You've seen him do every impersonation
That's Melvin on six string "Some tell me I can't sing"
Oh I think you can just don't do it round me
Stick with what you know
Playing guitar solo with Hetson and Watt in punk karaoke
Singin singin singin
Buy me a Becks beer or pass me a bong
Gimme some Bushmills I'll sing you this song
Open another big box of cheap wine we're over 30 we're doing just fine
My name is Fat Mike I'm obsessed with big lesbians
I've been a punk rocker for most of my life
I sing kinda flat I'm not really so fat
But that's how I hit them with a hook or slice
"I'm Kent I do sound" look he's getting so round
"I'm Timmy The Turtle" he counts as he clicks
"I'm Jay I don't care" someone please cut his hair
"I'm Limo from Scotland so give me haggis"
Singin singin singin
Buy me a Becks beer or pass me a bong
Gimme some Bushmills I'll sing you this song
Open another big box of cheap wine we're over 30 we're doing just fine
Buy me a Becks beer or pass me a bong
Gimme some Bushmills I'll sing you this song
Open another big box of cheap wine we're over 30 we're doing just fine
After 15 years we're still having fun
Now we're over 30 still looking so purty at least we got a beat up accordian
That's Erik our drummer his father's a plumber
He drank enough booze to get Rhode Island drunk
Now he's straight but still smelly he's got one big belly
From livin the good life provided by punk
Singin singin singin
Buy me a Becks beer or pass me a bong
Gimme some Bushmills I'll sing you this song
Open another big box of cheap wine we're over 30 we're doing just fine
El Hefe is not satanic he's one hip hispanic
He grew up with one dozen cousins and kin
He wears baggy pants he knows how to break dance
You've seen him do every impersonation
That's Melvin on six string "Some tell me I can't sing"
Oh I think you can just don't do it round me
Stick with what you know
Playing guitar solo with Hetson and Watt in punk karaoke
Singin singin singin
Buy me a Becks beer or pass me a bong
Gimme some Bushmills I'll sing you this song
Open another big box of cheap wine we're over 30 we're doing just fine
My name is Fat Mike I'm obsessed with big lesbians
I've been a punk rocker for most of my life
I sing kinda flat I'm not really so fat
But that's how I hit them with a hook or slice
"I'm Kent I do sound" look he's getting so round
"I'm Timmy The Turtle" he counts as he clicks
"I'm Jay I don't care" someone please cut his hair
"I'm Limo from Scotland so give me haggis"
Singin singin singin
Buy me a Becks beer or pass me a bong
Gimme some Bushmills I'll sing you this song
Open another big box of cheap wine we're over 30 we're doing just fine
Buy me a Becks beer or pass me a bong
Gimme some Bushmills I'll sing you this song
Open another big box of cheap wine we're over 30 we're doing just fine
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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.
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,
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
i love this song, simple as that :)