"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.
My hair might be a little too long for your taste, my friend
My car might cost a little less than that suit you're wearing
I'm glad you've stumbled in here on your business trip
Before you close your tab remember I play for tips
Well I bet your wife is beautiful and you're a really big so-and-so
Well I'm not doing bad myself, hey friend don't you know
I play guitar and I sing my songs in the sunshine
Captain and Cokes and barroom jokes keep me feeling fine
And there's always a stage and a beautiful babe to squeeze my lime
In my simple way, guess you can say I'm living in the big time
I know I'll probably never make a million bucks
But savings accounts and the IRS never worry me much
I don't need that stuff 'cause
I've got friends like you
To but me drinks, have boats and planes that I can use
I know you're really living in that house up on the hill
So if you feel like giving, friend I've got a jar to fill
I play guitar and I sing my songs in the sunshine
Captain and Cokes and barroom jokes keep me feeling fine
And there's always a stage and a beautiful babe to squeeze my lime
In my simple way, guess you can say I'm living in the big time
I'm having the time of my life
No worries on my mind
Everything's just fine
Today is even better than yesterday
Everything is going my way
I'm living the big time
And there's always a stage and beautiful babe to squeeze my lime
In my simple way guess you could say
I'm living in the big time
My car might cost a little less than that suit you're wearing
I'm glad you've stumbled in here on your business trip
Before you close your tab remember I play for tips
Well I bet your wife is beautiful and you're a really big so-and-so
Well I'm not doing bad myself, hey friend don't you know
I play guitar and I sing my songs in the sunshine
Captain and Cokes and barroom jokes keep me feeling fine
And there's always a stage and a beautiful babe to squeeze my lime
In my simple way, guess you can say I'm living in the big time
I know I'll probably never make a million bucks
But savings accounts and the IRS never worry me much
I don't need that stuff 'cause
I've got friends like you
To but me drinks, have boats and planes that I can use
I know you're really living in that house up on the hill
So if you feel like giving, friend I've got a jar to fill
I play guitar and I sing my songs in the sunshine
Captain and Cokes and barroom jokes keep me feeling fine
And there's always a stage and a beautiful babe to squeeze my lime
In my simple way, guess you can say I'm living in the big time
I'm having the time of my life
No worries on my mind
Everything's just fine
Today is even better than yesterday
Everything is going my way
I'm living the big time
And there's always a stage and beautiful babe to squeeze my lime
In my simple way guess you could say
I'm living in the big time
Lyrics submitted by Buschwackers03
Big Time Lyrics as written by John D. Rich Angie Aparo
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Roba Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
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
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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
it's about the country duo and how that they're not millionaires, and how that doesn't even bother them because they have music industry big shots lending them luxuires whenever they need them. other then that, the two are living a fun life, playing music, having a good time, drinking etc. their careers and music steps in place of having millions of dollars. in their "simple way" they're living in the big time.
you don't have to be rich to live in the big time