"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.
The city is a jungle, you'd better take care
Never walk alone after midnight
If you don't believe me, you'd better beware
Of me
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
The city is a nightmare, a horrible dream
Some of us will dream it forever
Look around the corner and try not to scream
It's me
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
Yellow eyes are glowing like the neon lights
Yellow eyes, the spotlights of the city lights
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
The city is a prison, you'll never escape
You're forever trapped in the alleys
Look into the shadows, and you'll see the shape
Of me
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
Yellow eyes were glowing like the neon lights
Yellow eyes, the spotlights of the city lights
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
And if I meet you, what if I eat you?
I am the tiger
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger, tiger, tiger
Never walk alone after midnight
If you don't believe me, you'd better beware
Of me
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
The city is a nightmare, a horrible dream
Some of us will dream it forever
Look around the corner and try not to scream
It's me
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
Yellow eyes are glowing like the neon lights
Yellow eyes, the spotlights of the city lights
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
The city is a prison, you'll never escape
You're forever trapped in the alleys
Look into the shadows, and you'll see the shape
Of me
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
Yellow eyes were glowing like the neon lights
Yellow eyes, the spotlights of the city lights
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger
People who fear me never go near me
I am the tiger
And if I meet you, what if I eat you?
I am the tiger
I am behind you, I'll always find you
I am the tiger, tiger, tiger
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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.
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.
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.
Wrong and wrong, sorry. This song is about heroin. It uses metaphors, much like "Yellow" or "Hotel California". The reference to the tiger is about the drug creeping up on people; those who know heroin is bad stay away etc. Its actually quite simple when you listen to it knowing what its about. And as for people claiming that Bjorn did not know what he was writing about- thats truly an insult. He is a very astute man, extremely clever. He knew exactly what he was writing about and covered quite a number of very adult topics, cleverly disguised as bubble gum pop..
Ah yes! I see it. I knew the people saying it was a rapist were stretching. I thought it to be a more general: simply about the multiple dangers of the city, but heroin explains many of the lines. However, "never walk alone after midnight," what does that mean?
@ladyethelwinterbottom Except the nickname for heroin is brown not yellow. And it doesn't mention Hotel California.<br /> It's most likely about the dangers of night life and predators on the streets.
Have you even read their other lyrics? Erotic obession is everywhere, not heroin ????