"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.
You're a glass eyed tiger
I'm a rusty fire hydrant
You're a freshly widowed spider
I'm an awkward silence
You've got sand in your swimsuit
I've got a missing tooth
You took the last piece, didn't you?
Well I hid myself one first
We can't keep kissin' around any more
My dialin' finger is gettin' too sore
a ah ee ah a ah ee a a ah ee a
Your other car's a broomstick
Mine's a hobby horse
You never felt you'd have to prove it
A great disturbance in the force (think I'm missing something here)
The clothes are all heaped in a pile on the floor (There's two kinds of people in this world, and I'm one of 'em)
Let's bulldoze our way too a brand new peace accord
How many times can we break then make up?
We've gone too long for a kiss to save us
a ah ee ah a ah ee ah yeah
You're a MiG jet pilot
I'm a burrow in the stone
You suffer frequent all-nighters
I curl up and sleep it off
I'd give you hundreds of last chances
If I could answer myself why
I don't worry about all your reversible talk
As significant as the death of alternative rock
Let it die let it die let it die
You're a prima ballerina
I'm a collapsing iron lung
You let disaster come between us
Now I'm a poet on the run
Searching for a place where my heart can feel something
Then I can retrieve it from the basement of my stomach
There's supper in this room as long as it continues thumpin'
a ah ee ah ....
You're a glass-eyed tiger
You're a trash vampire
You're what sat down beside her
I wish I glowed brighter in your eyes
I'm a rusty fire hydrant
You're a freshly widowed spider
I'm an awkward silence
You've got sand in your swimsuit
I've got a missing tooth
You took the last piece, didn't you?
Well I hid myself one first
We can't keep kissin' around any more
My dialin' finger is gettin' too sore
a ah ee ah a ah ee a a ah ee a
Your other car's a broomstick
Mine's a hobby horse
You never felt you'd have to prove it
A great disturbance in the force (think I'm missing something here)
The clothes are all heaped in a pile on the floor (There's two kinds of people in this world, and I'm one of 'em)
Let's bulldoze our way too a brand new peace accord
How many times can we break then make up?
We've gone too long for a kiss to save us
a ah ee ah a ah ee ah yeah
You're a MiG jet pilot
I'm a burrow in the stone
You suffer frequent all-nighters
I curl up and sleep it off
I'd give you hundreds of last chances
If I could answer myself why
I don't worry about all your reversible talk
As significant as the death of alternative rock
Let it die let it die let it die
You're a prima ballerina
I'm a collapsing iron lung
You let disaster come between us
Now I'm a poet on the run
Searching for a place where my heart can feel something
Then I can retrieve it from the basement of my stomach
There's supper in this room as long as it continues thumpin'
a ah ee ah ....
You're a glass-eyed tiger
You're a trash vampire
You're what sat down beside her
I wish I glowed brighter in your eyes
Lyrics submitted by jawbreaker8996, edited by Brodka, iceofboston
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.
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/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
awesome song!!
hell yes!
The Halo Benders are the shit and so is this song.
I hear "bulldoze our way to a brand new peace accord"