"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.
In trouble with the dogs
Yapping like the trogs on that tape
Getting stepped on like a baby
Maybe slept too long
Is that so wrong?
So at sunrise we moved on
At lunch the storm had gone away
I didn't swim
But I watched the waves
While others stayed
Under for over an hour
While lovers hovered around the towel
We washed our mouths at the riverbed
When we noticed something glowing
It was growing
Things are going to change
Hot rainfalls made of magma
Melts Alaska
And in icy Argentine they say now I've seen it all
Who knew? Volcanoes
In trouble with the gods
We didn't always misbehave
Where the sun shone, now it's gone
We've been waiting for so long
Now it's on
Not that we would do ourselves in
Funny how things work out in the end
I never learned to swim
Now I'm wasted, I'm too old
Just hold on for as long as you can
I'm so afraid to die
We washed our mouths at the riverbed
When we noticed something glowing
It was growing
Things are going to change
Hot rainfalls made of magma
Melts Alaska
And in icy Argentine they say now I've seen it all
Who knew? Volcanoes
The frogs, the frogs got it first
And the birds all knew it too
The worst was the worse smell on earth
Silver and snow
Silver and snow
Don't breathe
Don't breathe
Don't breathe
Don't breathe
We washed our mouths at the riverbed
When we noticed something glowing
It was growing
Things are going to change
Hot rainfalls made of magma
Melts Alaska
And in icy Argentine they say
Now I've seen it all
Who knew? Volcanoes
Who knew? Volcanoes
Yapping like the trogs on that tape
Getting stepped on like a baby
Maybe slept too long
Is that so wrong?
So at sunrise we moved on
At lunch the storm had gone away
I didn't swim
But I watched the waves
While others stayed
Under for over an hour
While lovers hovered around the towel
We washed our mouths at the riverbed
When we noticed something glowing
It was growing
Things are going to change
Hot rainfalls made of magma
Melts Alaska
And in icy Argentine they say now I've seen it all
Who knew? Volcanoes
In trouble with the gods
We didn't always misbehave
Where the sun shone, now it's gone
We've been waiting for so long
Now it's on
Not that we would do ourselves in
Funny how things work out in the end
I never learned to swim
Now I'm wasted, I'm too old
Just hold on for as long as you can
I'm so afraid to die
We washed our mouths at the riverbed
When we noticed something glowing
It was growing
Things are going to change
Hot rainfalls made of magma
Melts Alaska
And in icy Argentine they say now I've seen it all
Who knew? Volcanoes
The frogs, the frogs got it first
And the birds all knew it too
The worst was the worse smell on earth
Silver and snow
Silver and snow
Don't breathe
Don't breathe
Don't breathe
Don't breathe
We washed our mouths at the riverbed
When we noticed something glowing
It was growing
Things are going to change
Hot rainfalls made of magma
Melts Alaska
And in icy Argentine they say
Now I've seen it all
Who knew? Volcanoes
Who knew? Volcanoes
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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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.
Corrections, from the liner notes:
a. so at sunrise we blew dawn by lunch the storm had gone away ... While lovers hovered around my towel
b. then we washed our mouths at the riverbed when we noticed something glowing and it was growing things are going to change a hard rain falls, made of magma
c. we did it our way, misbehaved ... they've* been waiting for so long ... and we thought that we should do ourselves in
d. then we washed our mouths at the riverbed ... and it was growing things are going to change a hard rain falls made of magma melts Alaska
e. Silver in snow Silver in snow
f. and* it was growing, things are going to change a hard rain falls, made of magma
This will always be one of the most beautiful songs written..I love the imagery and it's pretty damn self explanatory I would think.. We can get so caught up thinking we'll ruin the earth and then outta nowhere mother nature will just claim back what is hers in her ever changing landscape. Imagine thats how it ends?
Who knew? Volcanoes!
Best.
The intro to this song freaks me out.
i know ! i'm scared of 2007... but i love it.
I had just watched White Noise and when I heard the beginning of this song I was all, "OMG! AVP! Nooo!"
But I listened anyway. And I love it. Yay for Islands!
I just bought "return to the sea" the other week. It's so great, this is one of my favourites on the album! It's just too darn catchy though I've had it in my head all day!
i freaking love this cd.
spooky intro it sounds like the lyrics are pushing an idea of the world freakishly going into volcano destroy mode, but can that really be it?
its on the surface, but i dont know
I find the intro funny.
I think the song is just about people experiencing the end of the world, as described in the intro.