"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.
How can I love somebody else
If I can't love myself enough to know
When it's time,
Time to let go
Sing
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
I ask for the sign
From the sweet Lord above
I know the answer is in front of me
But when you think you're in love
You only see what you wanna see
And all I see is me for you and you for me
Oh I cannot hide the way I feel inside (No I don't know why)
I don't know why but every day I wanna cry (Every day I wanna cry)
If I give you one more try to these rules, will you abide?
And if I mean anything to you, would it make everything all right?
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
I just wanna be so, so, happy
But the answer lies in me
I do believe
That we can be happy
I said I wanna be happy, yeah
Life is too short
To be tryin' to play some games
Now take some time and think about
If it's really worth losing me
Why must it be this way
Why do you have to play with my mind
All the time
Help me sing it (All I really want is for me to be happy)
Oh, just help me sing it (All I really want is for me to be happy)
Yeah (All I really want is for me to be happy)
Oh you know I wanna be happy, yeah yeah (All I really want is for me to be happy)
All I really want is to be happy (I don't wanna have to worry about nothin' no more)
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet (Said I wanna be, said I wanna be, said I wanna be)
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet (I said I wanna be happy)
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet (To find a love that's mine, oh it'll be so fine)
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
If I can't love myself enough to know
When it's time,
Time to let go
Sing
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
I ask for the sign
From the sweet Lord above
I know the answer is in front of me
But when you think you're in love
You only see what you wanna see
And all I see is me for you and you for me
Oh I cannot hide the way I feel inside (No I don't know why)
I don't know why but every day I wanna cry (Every day I wanna cry)
If I give you one more try to these rules, will you abide?
And if I mean anything to you, would it make everything all right?
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
I just wanna be so, so, happy
But the answer lies in me
I do believe
That we can be happy
I said I wanna be happy, yeah
Life is too short
To be tryin' to play some games
Now take some time and think about
If it's really worth losing me
Why must it be this way
Why do you have to play with my mind
All the time
Help me sing it (All I really want is for me to be happy)
Oh, just help me sing it (All I really want is for me to be happy)
Yeah (All I really want is for me to be happy)
Oh you know I wanna be happy, yeah yeah (All I really want is for me to be happy)
All I really want is to be happy (I don't wanna have to worry about nothin' no more)
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet (Said I wanna be, said I wanna be, said I wanna be)
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet (I said I wanna be happy)
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet (To find a love that's mine, oh it'll be so fine)
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
All I really want is to be happy
And to find a love that's mine
It would be so sweet
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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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.
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Blink-182
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This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.
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.
probably the best song to me, from mary. pretty much how i've been feeling lately. the message? one must love themself, respect oneself and know what you want for yourself before you try and love someone else. put yourself first.