"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.
I said to myself:
Self,
Why are you awake again?
It's one a.m.
Standin' with the fridge wide open, starin'
Such a sight, fluorescent light
The stars are bright
Might make a wish
If I believed in that shit
But as it is I might watch T.V.
Cause it's nice to see
That people can be more messed up more me
I say to myself
As I smile at the wall
Just let myself fall
[Chorus]
It's gonna be all right
No matter what they say
It's gonna be a good day
Just wait and see
It's gonna be all right
Cause I'm all right with me
It's gonna be, it's gonna be
It's gotta be
I shiver, shut the door
Can't think standin' here no more
I'm alone, my mind's racing heart breaking
Can you be everything I need you to be?
Can you protect me like a daughter?
Love me like a father?
Can you drink me like water?
Say I'm like the desert
Just way hotter
The point of it all
Is that if I should fall
It's still your name I call
[Chorus]
As long as we
Laugh out loud
Laugh like we are mad
Cause this crazy mixed up beauty is all that we have
Because what's love
But an itch we can't scratch,
A joke we can't scratch?
God, but we still laugh.
Get back in bed
Turn off the T.V.
You say it'll be all right, baby
Just wait and see
[Chorus]
I'm awake again
It's one a.m.
Staring
Such a sight
Well, at least the stars are bright
Self,
Why are you awake again?
It's one a.m.
Standin' with the fridge wide open, starin'
Such a sight, fluorescent light
The stars are bright
Might make a wish
If I believed in that shit
But as it is I might watch T.V.
Cause it's nice to see
That people can be more messed up more me
I say to myself
As I smile at the wall
Just let myself fall
[Chorus]
It's gonna be all right
No matter what they say
It's gonna be a good day
Just wait and see
It's gonna be all right
Cause I'm all right with me
It's gonna be, it's gonna be
It's gotta be
I shiver, shut the door
Can't think standin' here no more
I'm alone, my mind's racing heart breaking
Can you be everything I need you to be?
Can you protect me like a daughter?
Love me like a father?
Can you drink me like water?
Say I'm like the desert
Just way hotter
The point of it all
Is that if I should fall
It's still your name I call
[Chorus]
As long as we
Laugh out loud
Laugh like we are mad
Cause this crazy mixed up beauty is all that we have
Because what's love
But an itch we can't scratch,
A joke we can't scratch?
God, but we still laugh.
Get back in bed
Turn off the T.V.
You say it'll be all right, baby
Just wait and see
[Chorus]
I'm awake again
It's one a.m.
Staring
Such a sight
Well, at least the stars are bright
Lyrics submitted by starpatroller, edited by janeaparis1
Good Day Lyrics as written by Jewel Kilcher Greg Wells
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
It must have been about 1 a.m. when she wrote this. lol
Such a great song about the ups and downs of life and day to day feelings.
"Might make a wish If I believed in that sh*t But as it is I might watch T.V. Cause it's nice to see That people can be more messed up more me"
she's ok with her flaws and inperfections in herself and her relationship because she can still laugh at herself and not take anything too seriously.
OH AND SOME OF THE LYRICS ARE WRONG! :)
I love this song, I like the message it's giving.
"I shiver, shut the door. Can't think stading here no more. Can't think I'm alone, my minds racing, my heart's breaking. Can you be everything I need you to be? Can you protect me like a daughter? Can you love me like a father? Can you drink me like water? You say I'm like the desert, just way hotter."
I love that part!
i love this song. it has meaning
I think she is saying that tomorrow will be a better day. But I question whether she really believes it. I like that even though she's saying "it's gonna be a good day," the tone of her voice hints that she's not completely convinced.