"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.
Here we go in spurts
The colors fairly burst
And you may notice a shaking in your eye
Metaphor's the worst
But are you being driven or do you drive?
On a trip between two points in your infinity net
Obliterate yourself from the scene but please do not forget
Cover me with spots
Black and red dots
Until I'm crowding up your visual field
Bare assed and beautiful
You're climbing on your art like a shield
Now I want, I say, I do
Everybody dance now
Welcome to art class
Forget your acid free paper and glass
Welcome to art class
Be a bride stripped bare of the past
Why so serious?
Why so serious when it's only your life that's at stake
Why so serious
When your life is the art that you make
Life is the art that you make
Sell anything you want
But it's worth no more, no less than a kiss
Try not to represent even that
'Cause this moment is all that it is
In a garden of glass there's a red plastic tree
So shit in a can but your art is not free
I say, I want, I do
And everybody dances with me
Welcome to art class
And yes it does involve shaking your ass
Welcome to art class
Always keep your face to the glass
Why so serious?
Why so serious when it's only your life that's at stake
Why so serious
When your life is the art that you make
Life is the art that you make
Why so serious?
The colors fairly burst
And you may notice a shaking in your eye
Metaphor's the worst
But are you being driven or do you drive?
On a trip between two points in your infinity net
Obliterate yourself from the scene but please do not forget
Cover me with spots
Black and red dots
Until I'm crowding up your visual field
Bare assed and beautiful
You're climbing on your art like a shield
Now I want, I say, I do
Everybody dance now
Welcome to art class
Forget your acid free paper and glass
Welcome to art class
Be a bride stripped bare of the past
Why so serious?
Why so serious when it's only your life that's at stake
Why so serious
When your life is the art that you make
Life is the art that you make
Sell anything you want
But it's worth no more, no less than a kiss
Try not to represent even that
'Cause this moment is all that it is
In a garden of glass there's a red plastic tree
So shit in a can but your art is not free
I say, I want, I do
And everybody dances with me
Welcome to art class
And yes it does involve shaking your ass
Welcome to art class
Always keep your face to the glass
Why so serious?
Why so serious when it's only your life that's at stake
Why so serious
When your life is the art that you make
Life is the art that you make
Why so serious?
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
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.
i dunno how accurate the lyrics are
@man on tv It's actually quite accurate. Like 99%+ accurate
@man on tv I think they're spot on. Such a catchy tune with such inspiring lyrics! <3