"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.
She said she liked the way I kissed
So cutting edge I slit my wrists
I need to vomit disappear
and kill those monsters in my mirror
Out classed by losers second place
Before I fell flat on my face
So sick of dreaming, wake me up
and do your worst to shut me up
I'm resistant to your insistance
I can hear you off in the distance
Telling me the end is coming soon
Too addicted to breathe without it
Too embarrassed to talk about it
I'll kiss you off and try to leave
without you following me
This punctured pallet pains me red
Disturbed and angered dead instead
Just lift your lips and leave me lost
A pale cold corpse collecting moss
These echoes count your hours down
With pulse precision safe and sound
So apropos and no one cares
An empty room with empty chairs
I'm resistant to your insistance
I can hear you off in the distance
Telling me the end is coming soon
Too addicted to breathe without it
Too embarrassed to talk about it
I'll kiss you off and try to leave
without you following me
So you can take your dress code
And your elitist looks on life
boil them up in a fucking syringe
and shoot it right in your fucking neck
So cutting edge I slit my wrists
I need to vomit disappear
and kill those monsters in my mirror
Out classed by losers second place
Before I fell flat on my face
So sick of dreaming, wake me up
and do your worst to shut me up
I'm resistant to your insistance
I can hear you off in the distance
Telling me the end is coming soon
Too addicted to breathe without it
Too embarrassed to talk about it
I'll kiss you off and try to leave
without you following me
This punctured pallet pains me red
Disturbed and angered dead instead
Just lift your lips and leave me lost
A pale cold corpse collecting moss
These echoes count your hours down
With pulse precision safe and sound
So apropos and no one cares
An empty room with empty chairs
I'm resistant to your insistance
I can hear you off in the distance
Telling me the end is coming soon
Too addicted to breathe without it
Too embarrassed to talk about it
I'll kiss you off and try to leave
without you following me
So you can take your dress code
And your elitist looks on life
boil them up in a fucking syringe
and shoot it right in your fucking neck
Lyrics submitted by rjbucs28
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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,
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/
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.
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.
im not suprised no one has posted on this song, im not sure where its from, maybe a b-side or just unreleased. but its a really really good song!! could be a single if it was cleaned up a little bit. amazing lyrics. download if you can! RIP Vendetta Red
I think its about a love that has gone bad.. maybe she takes advantage of him or takes him for granted. either way he's saying he's sick of her and how she still likes him. . . he's fed up
In response to Eskate85: This song was on the early Cut Your Noose EP, available when they toured with Something Corporate, The Juliana Theory, and Red West in 03. A lot more upbeat and, in my opioion, better than their later works. Check it out!