"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 have seen the world of dreams,
fresh-flown through the trees then dropped off at the curb alive,
have seen the world awake, and I don't know which I deserve.
So when sleep nightly comes to me, with all of these warm blankets piled on my back,
I'll hike to see the church of dreams, where all of the shutters are painted black.
And it seems like that's real until the time I awake,
and at midnight the moonlight reflects as the lake is shining at me,
until night takes it away. There's one world in the distance, one world in the way,
and not one can stay.
I have seen the wood of dreams, carved grainless and clean with a sweep of one hand,
and have been happy with the leaves on my body when laid under land.
So when sleep finally comes to me - because it comes for the sleek like it comes for the lame -
I'll sink beneath a weight of dreams so full and complete that I'm pushed from my name.
And it seems like that's real until I fall asleep, and then we load up the car
and drive far to some street where a new life awaits, until day takes it away.
There's one world in the distance, one world in the way,
and not one can stay.
fresh-flown through the trees then dropped off at the curb alive,
have seen the world awake, and I don't know which I deserve.
So when sleep nightly comes to me, with all of these warm blankets piled on my back,
I'll hike to see the church of dreams, where all of the shutters are painted black.
And it seems like that's real until the time I awake,
and at midnight the moonlight reflects as the lake is shining at me,
until night takes it away. There's one world in the distance, one world in the way,
and not one can stay.
I have seen the wood of dreams, carved grainless and clean with a sweep of one hand,
and have been happy with the leaves on my body when laid under land.
So when sleep finally comes to me - because it comes for the sleek like it comes for the lame -
I'll sink beneath a weight of dreams so full and complete that I'm pushed from my name.
And it seems like that's real until I fall asleep, and then we load up the car
and drive far to some street where a new life awaits, until day takes it away.
There's one world in the distance, one world in the way,
and not one can stay.
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Holiday
Bee Gees
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@[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.
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Blue
Ed Sheeran
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“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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
beautiful lyrics! the song has a dreamlike quality, and i guess the last verse is about having to wake up.