"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.
Now that you're gone
I feel the pain
My heart trembles
I call your name
I miss your touch
Your soft blond hair
I keep searching for an answer
But it just ain't there
And I don't want to live this life
And I don't want to live this life
And I don't want to live this life
Anymore
Everywhere I turn
The finger points on me
You'll never understand
I'm in misery
Oh baby, without you
I have no one
Oh my sweet darling
What have I done?
And I don't want to live this life
And I don't want to live this life
And I don't want to live this life
Anymore
All right!
She smiled at me
As I held her carefully
The last words were I love you
Thought it set me free
And I can't forget
That look on your face
She looked like an angel
As she died in my prayers
And I don't want to live this life
And I don't want to live this life
And I don't want to live this life
Anymore
I feel the pain
My heart trembles
I call your name
I miss your touch
Your soft blond hair
I keep searching for an answer
But it just ain't there
And I don't want to live this life
And I don't want to live this life
And I don't want to live this life
Anymore
Everywhere I turn
The finger points on me
You'll never understand
I'm in misery
Oh baby, without you
I have no one
Oh my sweet darling
What have I done?
And I don't want to live this life
And I don't want to live this life
And I don't want to live this life
Anymore
All right!
She smiled at me
As I held her carefully
The last words were I love you
Thought it set me free
And I can't forget
That look on your face
She looked like an angel
As she died in my prayers
And I don't want to live this life
And I don't want to live this life
And I don't want to live this life
Anymore
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
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/
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.
It refers to Sid Vicious, based on the poem he wrote for his dead girlfriend Nancy Spungen before dying himself.
This is a Ramones song, not a Sex Pistols song. It has nothing to do with Sid Vicious
why does it have to be a sex pistols song to be about sid and nancy...the ramones and sex pistols ran the same circles at the same time, both being part of the punk movement...it seems obvious why they would make a tribute to them...
of course its about sid and nancy...
Educate yourself before you open your mouth (or start stroking keys...). Yes, it's about Sid and Nancy.
Oops, my bad, the reply was intended for the one below you! Must have clicked the wrong button.
marx is right, the ramones wrote two songs about Sid and Nancy, this being one. the other is Love Kills, and that even says Sid and Nancy's names. it doesn't HAVE to be a sex pistols song to be about them..
I agree marx. I like this song, though I sometimes almost cry when I hear it..
Yeah Marx is definately right. Makes me cry too! poor sid. Especially when joey sings: "Oh, my sweet darling what have I done". I thought love kills was a joe strummer song.. but i'm crazy so who knows where i got that theory from lol.
love kills IS a joe strummer song but its not this one. just same name. i almost cried reading this song. i read its about sid and nancy and sid loved nancy alot and i could definatly see him saying this, its like the poem he wrote. inspired by that im guessing.
yeah this song is based off the poem sid wrote to nancy after her death. "You were my little baby girl, And I shared all your fears. Such joy to hold you in my arms and kiss away your tears. But now you're gone, there's only pain and nothing I can do. And I don't want to live this life, If I can't live for you. To my beautiful baby girl. Our love will never die..." beautiful.
"it has nothing to do with Sid Vicous"
Woah are you kidding?
it was originally written for the "Sid & Nancy" movie but was an outtake from the soundtrack, it's a beautiful song by the way, very sad, it could be for anyone who's ever lost anyone and they blame themselves or people blame them and the person is so depressed that they feel that they don't wanna live their life the way it is anymore, they want a change, they want to change, but might also wanna die. :(