"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.
I have been falling again for so long.
For so long.
I've been off that track.
There's a mystery in that and it's strong.
But once more I'm asking for your time.
A few between the two then I'm gone.
I don't think I'll be coming back.
I'm not coming back.
It seems to me, you & me,
Aren't where we're supposed to be.
We're lost somewhere on the seventh sea.
I found Time, at least I thought I did.
You slipped away, yeah you slipped my grip.
So this day that I stood my ground,
Wait for Old Man Time.
Once again a day's flown by.
On a journey roads get hot.
So hot, I'm walking around unclothed.
Heated to the bone I'm bare-boned.
Bare-boned I'm thrown, dethroned again.
I missed the man by a minute again.
But next time gonna have my shot.
Gonna see me with Time.
It seems to me, you & me,
Aren't where we're supposed to be.
We're lost somewher on an endless sea.
I found Time, at least I thought I did.
You slipped away, yeah you slipped my grip.
So this day that I stood my ground
You saw me lost but forget it I'm found.
Right here at the Black Rock
Lay your cards down, Mr. Old Man Time.
Oh, I tracked you down old man.
When I walk at night I see you
And I follow you old man.
But the Black Rock is never too far away.
I'm dying just to hear what you say.
So next time I'll be comin' round,
Gonna see me with Time.
It seems to me, you & me,
Aren't where we're supposed to be.
We're lost somewher on an endless sea.
I found Time, at least I thought I did.
You slipped away, yeah you slipped my grip.
So this day that I stood my ground
You think you lost me but forget it I'm found.
So right here at the Black Rock
Lay your cards down, Mr. Old Man Time.
You're not too far for me.
I've waited my life for jus a minute to see.
For so long.
I've been off that track.
There's a mystery in that and it's strong.
But once more I'm asking for your time.
A few between the two then I'm gone.
I don't think I'll be coming back.
I'm not coming back.
It seems to me, you & me,
Aren't where we're supposed to be.
We're lost somewhere on the seventh sea.
I found Time, at least I thought I did.
You slipped away, yeah you slipped my grip.
So this day that I stood my ground,
Wait for Old Man Time.
Once again a day's flown by.
On a journey roads get hot.
So hot, I'm walking around unclothed.
Heated to the bone I'm bare-boned.
Bare-boned I'm thrown, dethroned again.
I missed the man by a minute again.
But next time gonna have my shot.
Gonna see me with Time.
It seems to me, you & me,
Aren't where we're supposed to be.
We're lost somewher on an endless sea.
I found Time, at least I thought I did.
You slipped away, yeah you slipped my grip.
So this day that I stood my ground
You saw me lost but forget it I'm found.
Right here at the Black Rock
Lay your cards down, Mr. Old Man Time.
Oh, I tracked you down old man.
When I walk at night I see you
And I follow you old man.
But the Black Rock is never too far away.
I'm dying just to hear what you say.
So next time I'll be comin' round,
Gonna see me with Time.
It seems to me, you & me,
Aren't where we're supposed to be.
We're lost somewher on an endless sea.
I found Time, at least I thought I did.
You slipped away, yeah you slipped my grip.
So this day that I stood my ground
You think you lost me but forget it I'm found.
So right here at the Black Rock
Lay your cards down, Mr. Old Man Time.
You're not too far for me.
I've waited my life for jus a minute to see.
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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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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.
ohhhh...this is my favorite o.a.r. song, possibly ever. still completely clueless to what the lyrics mean, but i love all the references to other o.a.r. songs ("crazy game of poker", "black rock", delicate few"). anybody with any clue into the lyrics?