"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.
If you lose me, you lose a good thing
That's one thing I know for sure
If you lose me, girl, you lose a good thing
That's one thing I know for sure
When you were sick, girl, I held your hand
When you were in trouble I tried to understand
To stay with you, I'd do anything I can
'Cause losing you was not part of the plan
Melbourne is a tropical London
American in a tropical London
Abandoned in a tropical London
Oh no, oh no
If you lose me, you lose a good thing
That's one thing I know for sure
If you lose me, girl, you lose a good thing
That's one thing I know for sure
A souvenir reminds me of you
Every day I catch a glimpse of us two
I'm the one comin' to the rescue
That's why I'm confused, you withdrew
Melbourne is a tropical London
American in a tropical London
Abandoned in a tropical London
Oh no, oh no
If you lose me, you lose a good thing
That's one thing I know for sure
If you lose me, girl, you lose a good thing
That's one thing I know for sure
Medication led to an altercation
It's hazardous in the valley of deception
And I walk alone but it was not my intention
Not my invention but now my heart's been ripped wide open
If you lose me, you lose a good thing
That's one thing I know for sure
If you lose me, girl, you lose a good thing
That's one thing I know for sure (oh yeah)
That's one thing I know for sure
Yeah, that's one thing I know for sure (oh yeah)
That's one thing I know for sure
Yeah, that's one thing I know for sure (oh yeah)
Alright, oh yeah
Alright
That's one thing I know for sure
If you lose me, girl, you lose a good thing
That's one thing I know for sure
When you were sick, girl, I held your hand
When you were in trouble I tried to understand
To stay with you, I'd do anything I can
'Cause losing you was not part of the plan
Melbourne is a tropical London
American in a tropical London
Abandoned in a tropical London
Oh no, oh no
If you lose me, you lose a good thing
That's one thing I know for sure
If you lose me, girl, you lose a good thing
That's one thing I know for sure
A souvenir reminds me of you
Every day I catch a glimpse of us two
I'm the one comin' to the rescue
That's why I'm confused, you withdrew
Melbourne is a tropical London
American in a tropical London
Abandoned in a tropical London
Oh no, oh no
If you lose me, you lose a good thing
That's one thing I know for sure
If you lose me, girl, you lose a good thing
That's one thing I know for sure
Medication led to an altercation
It's hazardous in the valley of deception
And I walk alone but it was not my intention
Not my invention but now my heart's been ripped wide open
If you lose me, you lose a good thing
That's one thing I know for sure
If you lose me, girl, you lose a good thing
That's one thing I know for sure (oh yeah)
That's one thing I know for sure
Yeah, that's one thing I know for sure (oh yeah)
That's one thing I know for sure
Yeah, that's one thing I know for sure (oh yeah)
Alright, oh yeah
Alright
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.
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.
It's actually: "Melbourne is a tropical London I met a girl in a tropical London Abandoned in a tropical London" Melbourne has a lot in common with London, and it' (sub)tropical - thus "tropical London". He met Brody there, and it's also where she abandoned him.