"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.
Champagne glass of blood and wine
On chocolate hearts alone I dine
Candles weeping waxen tears
Ten four roses, each one a year disappear
Arrows fester in my heart
Each memory, another dart
Love and death both colored red
Showing my past, the dream is dead
The dream is dead, yeah
Another lonely Valentine's Day
I can't believe that things turned out this way
And though I hate to see you go
I know it must be so
Another lonely Valentine's Day
Nobody will break your fall
All for none, yeah, none for all
Nothing's so cruel as the truth
Join the Festival of Fools
Nobody will break your fall
All for none, yeah, none for all
Nothing's so cruel as the truth
Join the Festival of Fools
Another lonely Valentine's Day
I can't believe that things turned out this way
And though I hate to see you go
I know it must be so
Another lonely Valentine's Day
The dream is dead
The dream is dead
The dream is dead
The dream is dead
The dream is dead
The dream is dead
On chocolate hearts alone I dine
Candles weeping waxen tears
Ten four roses, each one a year disappear
Arrows fester in my heart
Each memory, another dart
Love and death both colored red
Showing my past, the dream is dead
The dream is dead, yeah
Another lonely Valentine's Day
I can't believe that things turned out this way
And though I hate to see you go
I know it must be so
Another lonely Valentine's Day
Nobody will break your fall
All for none, yeah, none for all
Nothing's so cruel as the truth
Join the Festival of Fools
Nobody will break your fall
All for none, yeah, none for all
Nothing's so cruel as the truth
Join the Festival of Fools
Another lonely Valentine's Day
I can't believe that things turned out this way
And though I hate to see you go
I know it must be so
Another lonely Valentine's Day
The dream is dead
The dream is dead
The dream is dead
The dream is dead
The dream is dead
The dream is dead
Lyrics submitted by open_veins
The Dream Is Dead Lyrics as written by Peter Thomas Steele
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Cajun Girl
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”
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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.
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/
This is a love song. he talks about how the plans they had together died when they broke up.
isn't this about his life in high school? it might just be me, because i haven't read his biography or nothin like that, but the kind of guy Pete is seems like the kind of kid who probably got bullied in school im jus takin a literal meaning here but i think it's cause he asked this nice chick out on a valentives date, but she stood him up, even though he planned this big ol romantic dinner for her sooooooo, i think the girl would be one of those really popular bitches at school who spite the uncool kids jus throwin it out there
The Jambo
I think it's a little deeper than a breakup, it suggests a death. I don't know of anyone who'd mourn a breakup for 10 years... "ten for roses, each one a year".
@jester121 yep, I agree with you!
In an interview Peter said that the song is about the death of his father and how it happened to fall on Valentine's Day. :'(
"I think it's a little deeper than a breakup, it suggests a death. I don't know of anyone who'd mourn a breakup for 10 years... "ten for roses, each one a year"." I think that the ten years were how long the relationship was. I could be wrong.
I'd say it was only inspired by his father's death, and then I would agree with rustedthoughts. Each Valentine's Day, the guy used to give a rose to his gf, so the line would refer to that. Just my two cents ;)
And, Candles weeping waxing tears is veeeery beautiful construction! Really got me!
it sucks being alone or being broken up with durring valentines day. type o can relate. its wierd tho, this song IMO sounds a bit upbeat at parts while its obvious that the message is pretty sad.
I thought he was singing 'without love believe these words I say' which I took to mean: your concept of love is tainted; you'd best get on with killing yourself, buddy. Killing yourself = executing your implanted beast666 mind virus, swapping it for the Christ one, which all your 'common sense,' and your 'friends' (the people you make dates with to go out and fuck your minds up even worse.) all that stuff you 'know' because you saw it on TV! It is incredibly sad, that the (seemingly) most fucked-up, degenerate, sorry excuses of wasted human potential, are the one's who are gifted with the sight to steer the ship of civilization away from total oblivion.