"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.
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm you know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
Now you know where I've been
As you sleep shine I am
Waiting down patiently
Born of love
You know I'm you know I'm not dead
I'm just living in my head
Forever waiting on the ways of your desire
You always find your way
And through it all into us all you move
Forgotten touch, forbidden thought
We can never, ever know
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm, you know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
Down below the creatures scream
Strangehold of God's machines
Begging to tear us out
Worn as hope
You know I'm, you know I'm not dead
I'm just the tears inside your head
Forever waiting on the ways of your desire
You always find a way
And through it all, into us all you move
Forgotten touch, forbidden thought
We can never, ever know
You know I'm not dead
We all want to hold in the everlasting gaze
Enchanted in the rapture of his sentimental sway
But underneath the wheels lie the skulls of every cog
The fickle fascination of an everlasting God
You know I'm not dead
I'm just living in my head
Forever waiting, forever waiting a cruel death
You know I'm not dead
I'm just living for myself
Forever waiting
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm you know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
Now you know where I've been
As you sleep shine I am
Waiting down patiently
Born of love
You know I'm you know I'm not dead
I'm just living in my head
Forever waiting on the ways of your desire
You always find your way
And through it all into us all you move
Forgotten touch, forbidden thought
We can never, ever know
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm, you know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
Down below the creatures scream
Strangehold of God's machines
Begging to tear us out
Worn as hope
You know I'm, you know I'm not dead
I'm just the tears inside your head
Forever waiting on the ways of your desire
You always find a way
And through it all, into us all you move
Forgotten touch, forbidden thought
We can never, ever know
You know I'm not dead
We all want to hold in the everlasting gaze
Enchanted in the rapture of his sentimental sway
But underneath the wheels lie the skulls of every cog
The fickle fascination of an everlasting God
You know I'm not dead
I'm just living in my head
Forever waiting, forever waiting a cruel death
You know I'm not dead
I'm just living for myself
Forever waiting
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
You know I'm not dead
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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/
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I think this is Billy mad at god (maybe because the band is falling apart and music was his life?) and he's saying "don't forget about me cause I can forget about you too"