"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.
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
If you could blow up the world with the flick of a switch
Would you do it?
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
If you could make everybody poor just so you could be rich
Would you do it?
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
If you could watch everybody work while you just lay on your back
Would you do it?
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
If you could take all the love without giving any back
Would you do it?
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
And so we cannot know ourselves or what we'd really do
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
If you could make your own money and then give it to everybody
Would you do it?
No no no no no no no no no
If you knew all the answers and could give it to the masses
Would you do it?
No, no, no, no, no, no, are you crazy?
It's a very dangerous thing to do exactly what you want
Because you cannot know yourself or what you'd really do
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ah (ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya)
Ah (ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya)
Ah (Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya)
Ah (ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya)
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
If you could blow up the world with the flick of a switch
Would you do it?
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
If you could make everybody poor just so you could be rich
Would you do it?
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
If you could watch everybody work while you just lay on your back
Would you do it?
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
If you could take all the love without giving any back
Would you do it?
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
And so we cannot know ourselves or what we'd really do
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
If you could make your own money and then give it to everybody
Would you do it?
No no no no no no no no no
If you knew all the answers and could give it to the masses
Would you do it?
No, no, no, no, no, no, are you crazy?
It's a very dangerous thing to do exactly what you want
Because you cannot know yourself or what you'd really do
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ah (ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya)
Ah (ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya)
Ah (Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya)
Ah (ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya
Ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya ya)
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
With all your power
With all your power
With all your power
What would you do?
Lyrics submitted by christsizeshoes
The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song Lyrics as written by Remy Smith Joseph Cartagena
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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”
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/
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Has everyone heard the same song? I have to agree with feedthegoldfish, the song is about society, not the top 5%... "You cannot know yourself or what we'd really do". (Just look at Jamiroquai!) It's about the fact that good intentions don't always last - of course they should, but unfortunately human nature is egoistic and lazy... So all the more reason to admire the fewpeople who actually DO something.
I wish this song was called "With All Your Power".
"Yeah Yeah Yeah Song" is so lame.
I think it actually works for the song because people that aren't already accustomed to The Flaming Lips wouldn't expect a profound topic. I think it would attract more of an unknowing crowd.
cool song
Such a great song. Haven't listened to the rest of the album much yet, but this is an awesome opener.
This song is instantly my fav of the album so far. That cool voice solo wayne takes in the middle is really cool
Well I think it's about the top 5% of American who own all the wealth, knowledge and power. So this song showcases the decisions in their lives and how they react to them
I agree with Yanaku. This song is about those who are in power that don't really help society but themselves. My favorite line is:
"And so we cannot know ourselves Or what we'd really do..."
"With all your power..."
It makes me think? What kind of potential could the world have if all the people that had all the resources shared it with the less fortunate...and I'm not talking about philanthropists... wow, what a life!!
i think this is basically saying, you can have the power to do something, so if you use it will you do it for your own gain, or would you help others, people who really need it?
"It's a dangerous thing to do exactly what you want because you cannot know yourself or what you'd really do" i think might mean that, you don't know what you'd do until you get to use your powers.
basically, selfish or selfless, your choice.
thats my take on this song anyways.
ace song!!!
a feel good song
I think you're all thinking a bit too small. I don't think it's about the top 5% in particular and their decisions. I think the song is in criticism of all the people who say "Everybody should just to this" when talking about politics or something but don't actually bother to inact change. They complain about this and that, but what would they actually do if they had some power?
A liberal can preach all he wants that if he were rich he'd share all his money, but if he actually had the money, would he? A conservative can say he'd make abortions illegal if he could, but if given the opportunity and the right amount of power, would he? It's impossible to tell when you're not in that situation how you would act.
And just because you think something's right, no matter how strongly you believe it, it might not turn out how you think:
"Are you crazy? It's a very dangerous thing to do exactly what you want"
So, yes it's about people who aren't helping society, but those people...are society. And while that sentence on its own doesn't make any sense, hopefully the rest of this did.
more or less agrard. Though I think it leans even more towards us all being selfish. Juxtaposed lol. You feelgooders...