"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.
Rachel left home last night
The city sleeps through train lights
Stars in the sky are all that keep her alive
She packed up and ditched the town that saw all her ups and downs
She severed all ties to start all over again
Calling all tickets
The train leaves in minutes
Sits near the window
She turns her back on
The city she once called home
The yard where she ran through snow
The streets driven up and down and through and through
The lot where she'd stare at stars
The porch nights she'd count the cars
They're all memories of simpler times now gone
Thining back to the first time
Her mom said, "I'll let you
Move on if you want to
Remember I love you"
"Please just go little girl"
The city calls to her
This is your chance
This is your freedom
"Please don't go little girl" her father says to her
"It won't work out, it won't be easy
Holding back tears of joy
She steps into the world
The city lights look just the same way they did on TV
She flails her arms
She runs both up and down the sidewalks
Thinking back to the times when she spent it all dreaming
Now she's found what she wanted
Found what she'd needed
Please let go little girl of everything you know
You starts it now
You've started over
The city sleeps through train lights
Stars in the sky are all that keep her alive
She packed up and ditched the town that saw all her ups and downs
She severed all ties to start all over again
Calling all tickets
The train leaves in minutes
Sits near the window
She turns her back on
The city she once called home
The yard where she ran through snow
The streets driven up and down and through and through
The lot where she'd stare at stars
The porch nights she'd count the cars
They're all memories of simpler times now gone
Thining back to the first time
Her mom said, "I'll let you
Move on if you want to
Remember I love you"
"Please just go little girl"
The city calls to her
This is your chance
This is your freedom
"Please don't go little girl" her father says to her
"It won't work out, it won't be easy
Holding back tears of joy
She steps into the world
The city lights look just the same way they did on TV
She flails her arms
She runs both up and down the sidewalks
Thinking back to the times when she spent it all dreaming
Now she's found what she wanted
Found what she'd needed
Please let go little girl of everything you know
You starts it now
You've started over
Lyrics submitted by constant
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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/
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.
This song has an obvious meaning. Small town girl moving to the city looking for something more. Amazing song. Anyone have an idea about the name?
the castle part of the title might mean the city, but i'm not entirely sure...and i have no clue about the elephant part...
i can relate to this song...i can't wait to leave home for college...
No clue...Bands these days are so weird with their names, haha. But I la-la-LOVE the prechorus from this song. I can't wait to see this part live someday.
maybe the girl is overweight?
i think the "elephant" may refer to the idiom "there's an elephant in the living room", which is a way of saying there's something out of ordinary going on but no one will acknowledge it. it often relates to abuse or alcoholism within a family, but i think here it may have to do with the fact that she wants to leave and her parents have known this but they thought she never would. i can completely relate.
It's definitely about a girl moving on in life... to the city I suppose. Elephant and Castle refers to a busy and somewhat dangerous part of London, I think. I've never been there, but I've seen the stop on the underground.
theres a district in London called 'elephant and castle' so I think that might pose a similarity there.
Besides.. these lyrics have plenty of mistakes in them :-)
ahh i love this song it's amazing :]
elephant and castles a place. so really. it makes straight forward sence :]
this is my favorite song by them it capture everything i feel right now i want to leave this small town so bad
Houston calls deserves more fame than they have there amazing...=)