"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.
When I rode in a trolley across your face
With a Swedish man
I bet that wasn't in your plans for the day
My, what a strange day for poor little Nietzsche
Why so forlorn?
You know we love you, Nietzsche
And all of your friends have come to see you, Nietzsche
So let us see you, Nietzsche
Everyone's waiting, Nietzsche
Don't be so sneaky
When he smeared a candy bar across your face
With a gloveless hand
I thought you'd never stop lashing the Swede
My, what a strange day for poor little Nietzsche
What more could be done on a day like today
Then to lock up your heart and quickly swallow the key?
Now I'm going to tell you something we can do
If you cut off my head, I'll cut yours off for you
I'll cut it off for you
Poor little Nietzsche
Don't be so sneaky
What more could be done on a day like today
Then to lock up your heart and quickly swallow the key?
I like the image of us tossing our heads at a Swedish man
I bet he'd never telephone us again
Not even to say
My, what a strange day for poor little Nietzsche
With a Swedish man
I bet that wasn't in your plans for the day
My, what a strange day for poor little Nietzsche
Why so forlorn?
You know we love you, Nietzsche
And all of your friends have come to see you, Nietzsche
So let us see you, Nietzsche
Everyone's waiting, Nietzsche
Don't be so sneaky
When he smeared a candy bar across your face
With a gloveless hand
I thought you'd never stop lashing the Swede
My, what a strange day for poor little Nietzsche
What more could be done on a day like today
Then to lock up your heart and quickly swallow the key?
Now I'm going to tell you something we can do
If you cut off my head, I'll cut yours off for you
I'll cut it off for you
Poor little Nietzsche
Don't be so sneaky
What more could be done on a day like today
Then to lock up your heart and quickly swallow the key?
I like the image of us tossing our heads at a Swedish man
I bet he'd never telephone us again
Not even to say
My, what a strange day for poor little Nietzsche
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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.
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.
haha i love this song
...but Nietzsche wasn't Swedish.
"I thought you'd never stop lashing the swede my what a strange day for poor little nietzsche"
the swede isn't nietzsche. it might be August Strindberg, one of the most important playwrights who adored nietzsche.