"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.
It is so that my transgressions have born a withered fruit, the sun has scorched the rising plans; alas they have no root, the bleached bones of animals bound by leather strips, dance through the air with laughter as I wield this wicked whip, as you did warn me carpenter, this world has weakened my heart, so easily I disparage, self-seeking the work of my art, and there you have come to me at the moment I bathe in my sorrow, so in love with myself, sought after avoiding tomorrow, where do you find the love to offer he who betrays you? and offer to wash my feet as I offer to disobey you, your beauty does bereave me, and how my words do fail, so faithfully and dutifully I award you with betrayal, the weak and the down trodden fall on broken legs, as I walk past a smile I cast, fervor in my stead, but my bones like plastic, do buckle backward now, I lay in this field by Judas' bowels and anticipate the plow, I can not be forgiven; my wages will be paid, for those more lovely and admirable is least among the saved, and where would I fit Jesus? what place is left for me? the price of atonement is more than I've found to offer up as my plea, Jesus my heart is all I have to give to you, so weak and so unworthy, this simply will not do, no alabaster jar, no diamond in the rough, for your body that was broken, how can this be enough? by me you were abandoned, by me you were betrayed, yet in your arms and in your heart forever I have stayed
Your glory illuminates my life, and no darkness will descend, for you have loved me forever, and your love will never end
Your glory illuminates my life, and no darkness will descend, for you have loved me forever, and your love will never end
Lyrics submitted by aaronitwasnothing
Matthias Replaces Judas Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © Capitol CMG Publishing
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
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/
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
i wish people wouldn't use profanity to describe a song about dependence on Christ....just doesn't seem right.