"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.
Sun Green started making waves
On the day her grandpa died
Speakin' out against anything
Unjust or packed with lies
She chained herself to a statue of an eagle
In the lobby of Powerco
And started yelling through a megaphone
"There's corruption on the highest floor"
Suits poured out of elevators "They're all dirty"
Phoneheads began to speak "You can't trust anybody"
But security couldn't get her down
She was welded to the eagle's beak
Sun green leaned into that megaphone
And said, "Truth is all I seek"
Security brought in some blowtorches
News cameras recorded the speech
"When the city is plunged into darkness
By an unpredicted rolling blackout
The White House always blames the governor
Sayin' 'The solution is to vote him out'"
On top of that great bronze eagle
Sun's voice was loud and clear
She said, "Powerco is working with the White House
To paralyze our state with fear"
It was a golden moment golden moment (golden moment)
In the history of TV news
No one could explain it
It just got great reviews
"Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too"
The Imitators were playing
Down at John Lee's Bar
When Sun went down to see 'em
Someone followed her in a car
So now when she goes dancing
She has to watch her back
The FBI just trashed her room
One of them kicked her cat
The damn thing scratched his leg
And he had to shoot it dead
And leave it lying in a puddle of blood
At the foot of Sun Green's bed
"Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too"
John Lee's was rocking
The Imitators drove it home
Sun was dancing up a heatwave
For a while she was all alone
When up walked a tall stranger
He shadowed her move-to-move
In perfect unison
A supernatural groove
He took her by the hand
And the room began to spin
He said, "I'm Earth, Earth Brown
You know the shape I'm in"
"I'm leavin' tonight for Alaska
And I want you to come in the spring
And be a goddess in the planet war
Trying to save the livin' things"
"I'm ready to go right now"
Sun Green told Earth Brown
"Let's go back to my place
Pick up my cat and leave this town behind"
(FBI)
(What?)
(God damn)
"Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too"
Next day, Sun Green got busted for pot
And it made the headline news
But then the charges all got dropped
And the story got confused
She'd still like to meet Julia Butterfly
And see what remedy brings
And be a goddess in the planet wars
Trying to save the living things
But that might not be easy
Living on the run
Mother Earth has many enemies
There's much work to be done
"Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too"
On the day her grandpa died
Speakin' out against anything
Unjust or packed with lies
She chained herself to a statue of an eagle
In the lobby of Powerco
And started yelling through a megaphone
"There's corruption on the highest floor"
Suits poured out of elevators "They're all dirty"
Phoneheads began to speak "You can't trust anybody"
But security couldn't get her down
She was welded to the eagle's beak
Sun green leaned into that megaphone
And said, "Truth is all I seek"
Security brought in some blowtorches
News cameras recorded the speech
"When the city is plunged into darkness
By an unpredicted rolling blackout
The White House always blames the governor
Sayin' 'The solution is to vote him out'"
On top of that great bronze eagle
Sun's voice was loud and clear
She said, "Powerco is working with the White House
To paralyze our state with fear"
It was a golden moment golden moment (golden moment)
In the history of TV news
No one could explain it
It just got great reviews
"Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too"
The Imitators were playing
Down at John Lee's Bar
When Sun went down to see 'em
Someone followed her in a car
So now when she goes dancing
She has to watch her back
The FBI just trashed her room
One of them kicked her cat
The damn thing scratched his leg
And he had to shoot it dead
And leave it lying in a puddle of blood
At the foot of Sun Green's bed
"Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too"
John Lee's was rocking
The Imitators drove it home
Sun was dancing up a heatwave
For a while she was all alone
When up walked a tall stranger
He shadowed her move-to-move
In perfect unison
A supernatural groove
He took her by the hand
And the room began to spin
He said, "I'm Earth, Earth Brown
You know the shape I'm in"
"I'm leavin' tonight for Alaska
And I want you to come in the spring
And be a goddess in the planet war
Trying to save the livin' things"
"I'm ready to go right now"
Sun Green told Earth Brown
"Let's go back to my place
Pick up my cat and leave this town behind"
(FBI)
(What?)
(God damn)
"Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too"
Next day, Sun Green got busted for pot
And it made the headline news
But then the charges all got dropped
And the story got confused
She'd still like to meet Julia Butterfly
And see what remedy brings
And be a goddess in the planet wars
Trying to save the living things
But that might not be easy
Living on the run
Mother Earth has many enemies
There's much work to be done
"Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too
Hey Mr. Clean
You're dirty now too"
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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.
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Ed Sheeran
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“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.
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.
No Comments. This is my favorite Neil Young Song. I think its talking about Corporate greed and how we treat the Earth. WAL-Mart=Death2America Free yourself from Corporate Greed
One comment! Come on. This song rocks of course it's my favorite Neil young & crazy horse song. Speaking of Wal-Mart a women got trampled to death on Black Friday there.
Wo nd er fu ls on g.
greendale the album this song was on is a story of the green family its a great album
Great song. Centerpiece of the album IMO. Just a brilliant album from start to finish.