The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
You've got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we can make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere
Anyplace is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we'll make something
Me myself I got nothing to prove
You've got a fast car
I've got a plan to get us out of here
I've been working at East Side's Health and Children's Centre
I've managed to save just a little bit of money
We won't have to drive too far
Just across the border and into the city
You and I can both get jobs
Finally see what it means to be living
You see my old man's got a problem
He lives with his prescription drugs and that's the way it is
His body's too old for working
His body's too young to look like his
My mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
Somebody's got to take care of him
So I quit life and that's what I did
You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way
I remember we were driving
Driving in your car
The speed so fast it felt like I was drunk
The city lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone
Be someone
Be someone
You got a fast car
We go cruising to entertain ourselves
You still don't have a job
And I work in the market as a checkout girl
I know things will get better
You'll find work and I'll get promoted
We'll move out of the shelter
Buy a big house and live in the suburbs
I remember we were driving
Driving in your car
The speed so fast it felt like I was drunk
The city lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone
Be someone
Be someone
You got a fast car
I got a job that pays all our bills
You stay out late drinking at the bar
You see your friends more than you do your kids
I'd always hoped for better
Maybe together you and me would find it
I got no plans, I ain't going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving
I remember we were driving
Driving in your car
The speed so fast it felt like I was drunk
The city lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone
Be someone
Be someone
You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we can make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere
Anyplace is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we'll make something
Me myself I got nothing to prove
You've got a fast car
I've got a plan to get us out of here
I've been working at East Side's Health and Children's Centre
I've managed to save just a little bit of money
We won't have to drive too far
Just across the border and into the city
You and I can both get jobs
Finally see what it means to be living
You see my old man's got a problem
He lives with his prescription drugs and that's the way it is
His body's too old for working
His body's too young to look like his
My mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
Somebody's got to take care of him
So I quit life and that's what I did
You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way
I remember we were driving
Driving in your car
The speed so fast it felt like I was drunk
The city lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone
Be someone
Be someone
You got a fast car
We go cruising to entertain ourselves
You still don't have a job
And I work in the market as a checkout girl
I know things will get better
You'll find work and I'll get promoted
We'll move out of the shelter
Buy a big house and live in the suburbs
I remember we were driving
Driving in your car
The speed so fast it felt like I was drunk
The city lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone
Be someone
Be someone
You got a fast car
I got a job that pays all our bills
You stay out late drinking at the bar
You see your friends more than you do your kids
I'd always hoped for better
Maybe together you and me would find it
I got no plans, I ain't going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving
I remember we were driving
Driving in your car
The speed so fast it felt like I was drunk
The city lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone
Be someone
Be someone
You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way
Lyrics submitted by Airyca
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
Light Up The Sky
Van Halen
Van Halen
Standing On The Edge Of Summer
Thursday
Thursday
In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
i get how suncovers can't listen to xiu xiu, though he's a favorite of mine. but why post that if you don't like xiu xiu? didn't care for fast car song until jamie covered it. rock it you psychopath!