"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.
Everyone thinks it's fine
Making cash, coasting time
Everyone thinks it's fair
To be almost free - to be almost there
But not really aware
Anyone can cry
So wipe away those phoney tears in your eyes
Don't come 'round here
Expecting votes
See who charts the course on a sinking boat
And whatever you give
Listen - you give to give
But humanities so weak - if it can it would give
The loved of the loved
There's a man down there
And it should be clear
I thought we knew
And believed in it too
Anyone can see why
So wipe away the phoney tears you cry
An' don't come 'round here
Expecting votes
See who charts the course on a sinking boat
And whatever you give
Listen - you give to give
But humanities so weak - if it can it would give
The loved of the loved
Making cash, coasting time
Everyone thinks it's fair
To be almost free - to be almost there
But not really aware
Anyone can cry
So wipe away those phoney tears in your eyes
Don't come 'round here
Expecting votes
See who charts the course on a sinking boat
And whatever you give
Listen - you give to give
But humanities so weak - if it can it would give
The loved of the loved
There's a man down there
And it should be clear
I thought we knew
And believed in it too
Anyone can see why
So wipe away the phoney tears you cry
An' don't come 'round here
Expecting votes
See who charts the course on a sinking boat
And whatever you give
Listen - you give to give
But humanities so weak - if it can it would give
The loved of the loved
Lyrics submitted by Joekubrick, edited by CJG21
The Loved Lyrics as written by Paul John Weller
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
This song is the anthem of my life.
"And whatever you give, listen: you give to give."
Amen, Mr. Weller.