"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.
She breathes in
She breaths out
She wakes up
And lays down
She can hardly speak
And so she screams
I won't give again
'Cause she takes it so often
Nothing I say will wash it away
I'm standing in the pouring rain
You say it won't happen again
You're manic, manic
There's a chemical in your brain
It's pouring sunshine and in rage
You can never know what to expect
You're manic, manic
She loves you
And hates you
You break down
She feels good
She will bleed from insecurity
When will she heal from this
I love her still
Nothing I say will wash it away
I'm standing in the pouring rain
You say it won't happen again
You're manic, manic
There's a chemical in your brain
It's pouring sunshine and in rage
You can never know what to expect
You're manic, manic
She's got everything,You want
She's every little thing,You're not,Yeah
Nothing I say will wash it away
I'm standing in the pouring rain
You say it won't happen again
You're manic, manic
There's a chemical in your brain
It's pouring sunshine and in rage
You can never know what to expect
You're manic, manic
Nothing I say will wash it away
I'm standing in the pouring rain
You say it won't happen again
You're manic, manic
There's a chemical in your brain
It's pouring sunshine and in rage
You can never know what to expect
You're manic, manic
She breaths out
She wakes up
And lays down
She can hardly speak
And so she screams
I won't give again
'Cause she takes it so often
Nothing I say will wash it away
I'm standing in the pouring rain
You say it won't happen again
You're manic, manic
There's a chemical in your brain
It's pouring sunshine and in rage
You can never know what to expect
You're manic, manic
She loves you
And hates you
You break down
She feels good
She will bleed from insecurity
When will she heal from this
I love her still
Nothing I say will wash it away
I'm standing in the pouring rain
You say it won't happen again
You're manic, manic
There's a chemical in your brain
It's pouring sunshine and in rage
You can never know what to expect
You're manic, manic
She's got everything,You want
She's every little thing,You're not,Yeah
Nothing I say will wash it away
I'm standing in the pouring rain
You say it won't happen again
You're manic, manic
There's a chemical in your brain
It's pouring sunshine and in rage
You can never know what to expect
You're manic, manic
Nothing I say will wash it away
I'm standing in the pouring rain
You say it won't happen again
You're manic, manic
There's a chemical in your brain
It's pouring sunshine and in rage
You can never know what to expect
You're manic, manic
Lyrics submitted by Amara_Tenou
Manic Lyrics as written by Tiffany Arbuckle Lee Matt Bronleewe
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
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.
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.
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,
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.
I disagree - I think this song is very well written. When you are manic it is as confusing as the lyrics of this song. One minute you are so happy and the next you start snapping at everyone - "pouring sunshine and in rage." I think the line about the girl having everything and being everything you're not relates to the intoxicating side of mania - the ability to be charming and full of life. Overall, I think this is an excellent testimony to knowing someone suffering from mania.
I assume this song is about someone who is manically depressed. anyone have any different thoughts?
I think she's singing about someone who cannot control their anger, and I feel it's due to alcoholism. She loves this person despite the abuse they levy on her, but I don't see any hope for change expressed in this song. It's worth noting that this song comes immediately before Cut and could be about a alcoholic (or other drug abusing) parent or partner.
This song wasn't written well I don't think. I like it, but yeah. It doesn't make sense how it switches point of views, and this line, "She's got everything,You want She's every little thing,You're not,Yeah" I don't get.
speaking from experience with depression. <br /> I think its well written.<br /> <br /> Its like Depression is this whole other person that controls you and tells you your not good enough. its an exhausting experience.<br /> the lines<br /> She's got everything,You want<br /> She's every little thing,You're not,Yeah<br /> are talking about how the depression makes you feel.... youll never be good enough because "she" wont let you.<br /> <br /> the part where she says<br /> She loves you<br /> And hates you<br /> You break down<br /> She feels good<br /> <br /> She will bleed from insecurity<br /> When will she heal from this<br /> I love her still<br /> <br /> is like the manic interaction with depression, its an isolating relationship that almost sucks the life out of you.<br /> <br /> Any thoughts?<br /> <br /> <br />
@Solace? I have to agree with Mym on this one. Being in a state of Manic Depression is like having two or more distinct people inside your head. Everything in the song really tries to capture the internal war between these sides. The symbolism in the choruses are set in contrast to each other, which is often the feeling of holding two opposing forces inside at once.
The song... it hits the nail on the head where bipolar is concerned, notably mania (which the title indicates). However, my more immediate concern is why she wrote the song. It's not really much like the rest of her songs.
When one is manic they wouldn't rage, they'd dissassociate into thee emotionless laughy personality; I think the line repeats "pouring sunshine and rain." Seems a lot like something I'd have written. It's cheesy and might offend some, but it's good for treadmilling to.
Well I could be wrong but I think the song could be telling the story of a girl who is with a man who suffers from Mania or is just bipolar or abusive. Like the line "you say it won't happen again" is like when an abusive guy hits a girl out of anger and then apologizes like 'I'm sorry. I was just angry. I won't hurt you again' And the point of view can either be from the manic partner, the victim or both. The chorus is more likely the victim. and the verses are most likely the 'manic' having mood swings or just the storyteller. But anyway I see this song as being about being in an abusive relationship. At least that's how I see it
Crap! I forgot to put something. The line "she will bleed from insecurity" is most likely the line that makes it about being abused. Meaning she'll bleed from all the cuts and bruises because she lets the person hit her. She's too insecure to think she deserves better than that
I can almost guarantee this song to be an alternating dialogue from the victim (lover/spouse/bf or gf/friend) and an outsider about a girl who is manic depressive and lashes out. I relate to all of Plumbs songs so well, I and a few of my friends and family suffer from manic depression and other mental disorders brought on by bad life experiences.
Vicitim She breathes in She breaths out She wakes up And lays down She can hardly speak And so she screams
I won't give again 'Cause she takes it so often
Nothing I say will wash it away I'm standing in the pouring rain You say it won't happen again You're manic, manic There's a chemical in your brain It's pouring sunshine and in rage You can never know what to expect You're manic, manic
Outsider She loves you And hates you You break down She feels good
Victim She will bleed from insecurity When will she heal from this I love her still
Nothing I say will wash it away I'm standing in the pouring rain You say it won't happen again You're manic, manic There's a chemical in your brain It's pouring sunshine and in rage You can never know what to expect You're manic, manic
Outsider She's got everything,You want She's every little thing,You're not,Yeah
Vicitim Nothing I say will wash it away I'm standing in the pouring rain You say it won't happen again You're manic, manic There's a chemical in your brain It's pouring sunshine and in rage You can never know what to expect You're manic, manic
Based on the title, I would assume that the song is about manic depression. It also describes textbook borderline personality disorder: "She loves you and hates you; you break down, she feels good. She will bleed from insecurity." A borderline preys (not always intentionally) on a person who has good intentions and wants to help them. They are usually very dependent on others, and they get their power from making other people "need" them.
I agree with most of your comments about what the song is about. I definatly think its about an abusive relationship where the person being sung about is bipolar. I think this is one of my fav songs by plumb. Sure it isn't like most of her other tracks but maybe that's what makes it so good. Something different you know?