"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.
Uh
All aboard, stitch in time
Get yours, got mine
In a minute, I'll be there
Sit tight, get square (tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic)
You can do it at the hippodrome (one, one, one, one, one, one more)
Slide back, trombone (wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait)
Anybody got a TV at home? (one, one, one, one, one, one more)
That's right, unknown
When I pick up on that smell, pick it up and run like hell
Little woman, save me some, better get up on your run
(Huh)
So much more than
Charlie's wakin' me
To my core and
And Charlie's shakin' me
And tell my story
And Charlie's makin' me
And Charlie's makin' me smile
Oh, whoa, now
(Tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic)
(One, one, one, one, one, one more)
(Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait)
(One, one, one, one, one, one more)
Everybody do the twist
Get the message on Flea's fists
Move around like a scientist
Lay down, get kissed (tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic)
Big picture and it never lies (one, one, one, one, one, one more)
Big daddy will advice (wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait)
EverReady in disguise (one, one, one, one, one, one more)
Sunset, sunrise
When I pick up on that smell, pick it up and run like hell
Little woman, save me some, better get up on your run
Huh
So much more than
Charlie's wakin' me
To my core and
And Charlie's shakin' me
And tell my story
And Charlie's makin' me
And Charlie's makin' me smile
Whoa-whoa, now
My heart, your skin
This love, I'm in
We don't arrive without a surprise
You're right, I'm wrong
Be free, belong
Intimate sight has come into light
When I pick up on that smell, pick it up and run like hell
Little woman, save me some, better get up on your run
All I ever wanted to was pick it up and run with you
Slip into a summer spell, double up and run like hell
Huh
So much more than
Charlie's wakin' me
To my core and
And Charlie's shakin' me
And tell my story
And Charlie's makin' me
And Charlie's makin' me smile
No, whoa, now
My heart, your skin
This love, I'm in
We don't arrive without a surprise
You're right, I'm wrong
Be free, belong
Intimate sight has come into light
My heart, your skin
This love, I'm in
We don't arrive without a surprise
You're right, I'm wrong
Be free, belong
Intimate sight has come into light
All aboard, stitch in time
Get yours, got mine
In a minute, I'll be there
Sit tight, get square (tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic)
You can do it at the hippodrome (one, one, one, one, one, one more)
Slide back, trombone (wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait)
Anybody got a TV at home? (one, one, one, one, one, one more)
That's right, unknown
When I pick up on that smell, pick it up and run like hell
Little woman, save me some, better get up on your run
(Huh)
So much more than
Charlie's wakin' me
To my core and
And Charlie's shakin' me
And tell my story
And Charlie's makin' me
And Charlie's makin' me smile
Oh, whoa, now
(Tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic)
(One, one, one, one, one, one more)
(Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait)
(One, one, one, one, one, one more)
Everybody do the twist
Get the message on Flea's fists
Move around like a scientist
Lay down, get kissed (tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic-tic)
Big picture and it never lies (one, one, one, one, one, one more)
Big daddy will advice (wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait)
EverReady in disguise (one, one, one, one, one, one more)
Sunset, sunrise
When I pick up on that smell, pick it up and run like hell
Little woman, save me some, better get up on your run
Huh
So much more than
Charlie's wakin' me
To my core and
And Charlie's shakin' me
And tell my story
And Charlie's makin' me
And Charlie's makin' me smile
Whoa-whoa, now
My heart, your skin
This love, I'm in
We don't arrive without a surprise
You're right, I'm wrong
Be free, belong
Intimate sight has come into light
When I pick up on that smell, pick it up and run like hell
Little woman, save me some, better get up on your run
All I ever wanted to was pick it up and run with you
Slip into a summer spell, double up and run like hell
Huh
So much more than
Charlie's wakin' me
To my core and
And Charlie's shakin' me
And tell my story
And Charlie's makin' me
And Charlie's makin' me smile
No, whoa, now
My heart, your skin
This love, I'm in
We don't arrive without a surprise
You're right, I'm wrong
Be free, belong
Intimate sight has come into light
My heart, your skin
This love, I'm in
We don't arrive without a surprise
You're right, I'm wrong
Be free, belong
Intimate sight has come into light
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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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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.
I VERY much doubt Anthony is having a relapse and he's hinting that in his lyrics (like someone said). Even if he did that before (in One Hot Minute actually), it doesn't mean he's doing it again. Back then he would refuse to explain the meaning of the songs, claiming that he hated doing that (but since the songs were about his drug habbit, he most likely just didn't want to talk about it). Now he happily explains what a song is about, and he does it in a very convincing way. Ok that being said, I, in no way, think this song is about drugs. And yes, Anthony has written songs that deal with drug issues before, but to say he has written songs merely about drugs is somewhat shallow. He has written about his dark side, the anxiety he felt as a drug addict, and the consequences of being one, among other things.
And finally, my opinion of what this song is about. Well, to me it's about your friends insparing you and making you happy.