"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.
people
just flow
without touching a thing
without leaving a mark
and I
wouldn't know
even if I cared
and here we go now
an innerspaceman far from home
I'm coming down through no fault of my own
I'm feeling tired and feeling alone
spinning around without a course
would you take me by the hand
guide me safely back on land
kindred spirit on command
holding on before I crush
places
they pass
without a trace
without meaning a thing
and I
just float
times are hard like they always are
we go
an innerspaceman far from home
I'm coming down from the twilight zone
Innerspaceman on my own
spinning around without a course
would you take me by the hand
guide me safely back on land
kindred spirit on command
holding on before I crush
hold on hold on
take me by the hand
hold on hold on
guide me back to land
you are my kindred spirit on command
hold on before I crush
I just float
and times are hard 'cause they always are
we go
an innerspaceman far from home
I'm coming down through no fault of my own
feeling tired and feeling alone
would you take me by the hand
take me by the hand
guide me back to land
hold on before I crush
just flow
without touching a thing
without leaving a mark
and I
wouldn't know
even if I cared
and here we go now
an innerspaceman far from home
I'm coming down through no fault of my own
I'm feeling tired and feeling alone
spinning around without a course
would you take me by the hand
guide me safely back on land
kindred spirit on command
holding on before I crush
places
they pass
without a trace
without meaning a thing
and I
just float
times are hard like they always are
we go
an innerspaceman far from home
I'm coming down from the twilight zone
Innerspaceman on my own
spinning around without a course
would you take me by the hand
guide me safely back on land
kindred spirit on command
holding on before I crush
hold on hold on
take me by the hand
hold on hold on
guide me back to land
you are my kindred spirit on command
hold on before I crush
I just float
and times are hard 'cause they always are
we go
an innerspaceman far from home
I'm coming down through no fault of my own
feeling tired and feeling alone
would you take me by the hand
take me by the hand
guide me back to land
hold on before I crush
Lyrics submitted by splatgirl
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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.