"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 was younger I used to be wild
As wild as an elephant's child
No one could hold me down
No one could keep me around
Now it's your turn, take a shot
Baby, show me everything that you got
Maybe you can keep me alive
Maybe you can get in my mind
But it's only a matter of time
Before I run far away
I need to take a holiday
Maybe it's a fall from grace
I gotta find a new place
A holiday
I'll set off on a new chase
I gotta see a new face
I need to take a holiday
My father, he was always wise
As wise as an elephant's eyes
He couldn't hold me down
He couldn't keep me around
So are you gonna take your shot?
It's the only one that you got
Maybe I'll go out on a limb
Maybe I'll jump in for a swim
When the lights go dim
You know I'll run far away
I need to take a holiday
Maybe it's a fall from grace
I gotta find a new place
A holiday
I'll set off on a new chase
I gotta see a new face
I need to take a holiday
(I need to take a holiday)
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
A new start, I've broken too many hearts
And I don't have any clue where to go
I don't know
But maybe I'll be back someday after my holiday
When I was younger I used to be wild
As wild as an elephant's child
And I don't think I'll ever change
I think I'm gonna stay the same
I'll run away
I need to take a holiday
(I need to take a holiday)
Maybe it's a fall from grace
I gotta find a new place
A holiday
I'll set off on a new chase
(Set off on a new chase)
I gotta see a new face
I need to take a holiday
A new start, I've broken too many hearts
And I don't have any clue where to go
I don't know
But maybe I'll be back someday after my holiday
All of the wasted time
The hours that were left behind
The answers that we'll never find
They don't mean a thing tonight
As wild as an elephant's child
No one could hold me down
No one could keep me around
Now it's your turn, take a shot
Baby, show me everything that you got
Maybe you can keep me alive
Maybe you can get in my mind
But it's only a matter of time
Before I run far away
I need to take a holiday
Maybe it's a fall from grace
I gotta find a new place
A holiday
I'll set off on a new chase
I gotta see a new face
I need to take a holiday
My father, he was always wise
As wise as an elephant's eyes
He couldn't hold me down
He couldn't keep me around
So are you gonna take your shot?
It's the only one that you got
Maybe I'll go out on a limb
Maybe I'll jump in for a swim
When the lights go dim
You know I'll run far away
I need to take a holiday
Maybe it's a fall from grace
I gotta find a new place
A holiday
I'll set off on a new chase
I gotta see a new face
I need to take a holiday
(I need to take a holiday)
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa
A new start, I've broken too many hearts
And I don't have any clue where to go
I don't know
But maybe I'll be back someday after my holiday
When I was younger I used to be wild
As wild as an elephant's child
And I don't think I'll ever change
I think I'm gonna stay the same
I'll run away
I need to take a holiday
(I need to take a holiday)
Maybe it's a fall from grace
I gotta find a new place
A holiday
I'll set off on a new chase
(Set off on a new chase)
I gotta see a new face
I need to take a holiday
A new start, I've broken too many hearts
And I don't have any clue where to go
I don't know
But maybe I'll be back someday after my holiday
All of the wasted time
The hours that were left behind
The answers that we'll never find
They don't mean a thing tonight
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
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."
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.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
Probably one of the best pop-punk album closers, second only to "Q/A" by Cartel. They executed it very well.
wow this is definatly on of my favorite boys like girls songs! they are an amazing band and are definatly going places...
i think this song is about a guy who is overwhelmed with what is going on in his life, and needs to take a break from it...just get away from it all
I love how this band uses a verse from the opening track "The Great Escape" to finish off this song..
Definitely brings closure to this album.
I agree, it does bring album closure. I really really love this song, it's a nice transition to the end.
Love this song. It's the story of my life tbh. I always said i'd changed and become someone worthy, and a good person, but it wasn't me & in the end i didn't change, i just stayed the same. & i was happy with that.
i just love this song. really relate. well not really since i dont know wat the song means.
i dont get the elephant thing. maybe just maybe, and i might be going out on a limb here... but like justine said in the first post he feels overwhelmed... you know like an elephant and its overwhelmingness. k maybe not but its a thought.
good song
i love this song i think its about people trying to change you... but you cant be what they want you can only be you and in the end no matter how hard you try to change.. you are still gonna be you and no one can change that
this song is amazing...this song and thunder are definatly tow of my favorite songs of all time.
I think this song is about how time has changed him and he has found someone who can bring him back but he is unsure if they will come through. So he threatens to runaway from himself, to take a holiday from what he is and what he used to be. In the end this helps him discover himself.