"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
When you were coming up
Did you think everyone knew
Something unclear to you
And when you were thrown in a crowd
Could you believe yourself
Did you repeat yourself
'Cause no one would hear
And just say it again
'Cause they never got you and you never got them
Don't let it break
Don't let it start
Don't let em in
Don't go too far
And cover your tracks
Cover the path to the heart
Don't let those footholds start
And don't let no one in
'Cause they never got you and you never got them
You
When you were breaking up
They was just waking up
And back in that place where you come from
Did it pay to play along
That's where I'm coming from
I'll roll it myself or just let it be
'Cause I never got them and they never got me
No I never got them and they never got me
When you were coming up
Did you think everyone knew
Something unclear to you
And when you were thrown in a crowd
Could you believe yourself
Did you repeat yourself
'Cause no one would hear
And just say it again
'Cause they never got you and you never got them
Don't let it break
Don't let it start
Don't let em in
Don't go too far
And cover your tracks
Cover the path to the heart
Don't let those footholds start
And don't let no one in
'Cause they never got you and you never got them
You
When you were breaking up
They was just waking up
And back in that place where you come from
Did it pay to play along
That's where I'm coming from
I'll roll it myself or just let it be
'Cause I never got them and they never got me
No I never got them and they never got me
Lyrics submitted by Rcntly2stepping
They Never Got You Lyrics as written by Britt Daniel
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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.
He's not just telling them though that they are ahead of their times. He's telling them not to let the fact they don't fit in bother them, and to "cover the path to your heart" so they can't get there. He tells them not to let "them" get in the footholes of their heart--not to let "them" get the person he's talking to down. good song.