"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.
Stand up
You've got to manage
I won't sympathize
Anymore
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
You're alright
There's nothing wrong
Self-sufficience, please
And get to work
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
Army of me
You're on your own now
We won't save you
Your rescue squad
Is too exhausted
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
Army of me
You've got to manage
I won't sympathize
Anymore
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
You're alright
There's nothing wrong
Self-sufficience, please
And get to work
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
Army of me
You're on your own now
We won't save you
Your rescue squad
Is too exhausted
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
And if you complain once more
You'll meet an army of me
Army of me
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.
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,
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
When I first heard this song and especially after watching the music video, I couldn't help but not to be affected by it - going back a few years I went through a downward spiral of self harm and depression, eventually I managed to let go of most of my self-destructive qualities but much of the depression and loathing remained, leaving me metaphorically dead to my surroundings, sort of in a deep sleep - however someone close to me, continued to try to awaken me from this, which initially stung like hell (somewhat similar to the lyrics) and eventually leaving me with something I couldn't ignore - cold hard truth.
Added to say - the bomb in the video clip has the word 'Smiths' printed on the face of the clock - reminded me of The Smiths and the line 'if it's not love, then it's the bomb that will bring us together' probably unrelated but, eh maybe.
Peace & grease
She's telling someone to stop being so damn lazy.
i love "self sufficience please" and "your rescue squad is too exhausted" i think we all know someone who we can relate this song to ... and for that, thank you bjork. i dedicate this song to an old friend of mine, who would truly gain from this song, if she could understand it, and then actually her newfound knowledge to her life. i tried to help her over and over again, but she wouldn't help herself.
I KNEW THE SONG WAS ABOUT HER TALKING ABOUT HERSELF!! DAMN I'M GOOD!!
See for yourself, follow this link (bjork.com/facts/lyrics/) or read here:
According to bjork.com
Army of Me
SONG INFO
"It's probably the most realistic way of expressing what situation I'm in - all these people trying to take things away from me, and the gorilla finding a diamond that I don't know I have and then stealing it. 'Army of Me' is so much about me actually learning that I have to defend myself. I have to stand up and fight the fucking gorilla. Once I've got the diamond and I run away with it, it becomes massive 'cos it's mine. But if the gorilla had kept it, it would have gone really tiny. That's surrealism for me."
I can totally relate to this song, I can be shy and timid so you get to a certain point where you have to defend yourself- like at my job, family, etc...at least thats how I interpret it. sorry if I spoiled for you all...
@GrungyBeatle You've completely misunderstood the interview. The 'gorilla' is her lazyass brother. It's not about her.
@GrungyBeatle actually you can't ruin it for anyone. One of the great things about art is that it's always metaphorical even if it's created strictly autobiographically by the artist, it can mean whatever you need it to mean.<br /> I used to trip out on how I had my own versions of so many lyrics and songs but I see now how very telling my versions were. Depeche mode sings; "all of the firsts and the definite llasts".... Which I always heard as "the deafening laughs"...???? But it makes sense that I would hear that.At the time I had a very very abusive mother who, quite similar to 'Carrie's mom, would yell at me over and over again: "everybody's laughing at you everybody's laughing at you" and then she would say it in a different language again. Yep she was really f***** up in the head???? but I had my own sort of self therapy self-help therapy analyzing and coming to understand all these little things.... Not just song lyrics but I would have my own personal versions different memories of movies and stuff.<br /> ???? You know sometimes it seems like there was someone there all along, some Great Unseen Therapist. ????. And who knows, as the Great Kate Bush says, "we are born the miracle"...????????✌????
For some reason I think both the literal and ironic interpretations of this song are right. One the one hand it's saying that if you want to overcome an obstacle, just sitting there complaining will be no help - you have to put the effort in and be proactive to succeed. Yet at the same time, given Björk's history as an anarchist activist and critic of oppressive states, it could be read as a sarcastic attack on those who demand obedience while offering no support to those under their authority.
"if you complain once more.....your alright.......there is nothing wrong..." This makes me smile. We create our own problems. There is a solution to every problem.
Bjork:"It's actually written to a relative of mine who had been a bit out of order for a while. I'm not sure why I wrote it. Maybe I felt that Debut had been such a polite, shy album - there was a side of me that was so shy and such a beginner, I was very flattered when everyone loved Debut but also a bit confused because it wasn't really me. Maybe 'Army Of Me' was an attempt to balance it out."
her voice communicates this song (and all of her music) on a level nobody else can. great song, unique stuff, amazing amazing amazing video!!
sorry about the repeat comments. i dont know how to get rid of one of them.
Quit complaining and get on with your life, lest you invoke the speaker's wrath.