"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.
Oh, you know I did it
It's over and I feel fine
Nothing you could say is gonna change my mind
Waited and I waited the longest night
Nothing like the taste of sweet decline
I was down, I fell, I fell so fast
Dropping like the grains in an hourglass
Never say forever 'cause nothing lasts
Dancing with the bones of my buried past
Never mind, there's nothing I could do
Bet your life there's something killing you
It's a shame we have to die, my dear
No ones getting out of here alive
This time
What a way to go, but have no fear
No ones getting out of here alive
This time
I'm finished, I'm getting you off my chest
Made you come clean in a dirty dress
A promise is a promise you kept in check
Hard to cross a heart that beats this fast
Take a good hard look for the very last time
The very last one in a very long line
Only took a second to say goodbye
Been a pleasure, but the pleasure's been mine, all mine
And never mind, there's nothing I could do
(Never mind, there's nothing I could do)
Bet your life there's something killing you
It's a shame we have to die, my dear
No ones getting out of here alive
This time
What a way to go, but have no fear
No ones getting out of here alive
This time
Ain't no way, DOA
Ain't no way, DOA
Take a good hard look for the very last time
The very last one in a very long line
Only took a second to say goodbye
Been a pleasure, but the pleasure's been mine, all mine
And never mind, there's nothing I could do
(Never mind, there's nothing)
Bet your life there's something killing you
It's a shame we have to die, my dear
No ones getting out of here alive
This time
What a way to go, but have no fear
No ones getting out of here alive
This time
It's a shame we have to disappear
No ones getting out of here alive
This time
This time
This time
It's over and I feel fine
Nothing you could say is gonna change my mind
Waited and I waited the longest night
Nothing like the taste of sweet decline
I was down, I fell, I fell so fast
Dropping like the grains in an hourglass
Never say forever 'cause nothing lasts
Dancing with the bones of my buried past
Never mind, there's nothing I could do
Bet your life there's something killing you
It's a shame we have to die, my dear
No ones getting out of here alive
This time
What a way to go, but have no fear
No ones getting out of here alive
This time
I'm finished, I'm getting you off my chest
Made you come clean in a dirty dress
A promise is a promise you kept in check
Hard to cross a heart that beats this fast
Take a good hard look for the very last time
The very last one in a very long line
Only took a second to say goodbye
Been a pleasure, but the pleasure's been mine, all mine
And never mind, there's nothing I could do
(Never mind, there's nothing I could do)
Bet your life there's something killing you
It's a shame we have to die, my dear
No ones getting out of here alive
This time
What a way to go, but have no fear
No ones getting out of here alive
This time
Ain't no way, DOA
Ain't no way, DOA
Take a good hard look for the very last time
The very last one in a very long line
Only took a second to say goodbye
Been a pleasure, but the pleasure's been mine, all mine
And never mind, there's nothing I could do
(Never mind, there's nothing)
Bet your life there's something killing you
It's a shame we have to die, my dear
No ones getting out of here alive
This time
What a way to go, but have no fear
No ones getting out of here alive
This time
It's a shame we have to disappear
No ones getting out of here alive
This time
This time
This time
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.
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.
great song, heard it for the first time today. Just one question, does anyone know what DOA stand for?