"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.
[Chorus]
Jump in my car
I wanna take you home
Jump in my car
It's too far walk on your own
(No thank-you Sir)
Ah come on I'm a trustworthy guy
(No thank-you sir)
Oh little girl I wouldn't tell you no lies
(I know your game)
How can you say that we only just met
(You're all the same)
Ooh she's got me there, but I'll get her yet
(I got you there)
No you didn't I was catching my breath, and look it's starting to rain and baby you'll catch your death
(Well I dunno)
Ah come it comes nothing to try and you'll arrive home nice and dry
[Chorus: x2]
(Well maybe I will)
Ah that's better now your talking sense
(But you best keep still)
Well if you like I'll just put up a fence
(No need to get smart)
Well alright we'll soon be on our way
(Well we better start)
What for?
(Because it's such a long way)
Well why where'd you live?
(I live down South, It's roughly 85 miles)
Hey slow down you must be joking there behind that cute smile
(Oh no I'm not)
Well if you're not there's only one thing to say
(And what's that?)
Get outta the car get on your way!
Get outta my car
(But you just said that you'd take me home)
Well it's just too far
(But there's no way I can get there alone)
I couldn't care less
(Well maybe I could see you next week)
But you look a mess
(Well look who's talking you've got no right to speak)
Get outta my car
(You told me that you were a really nice guy)
Oh well I ain't
Well, yeah get outta my car
Get out, get out of my car
Jump in my car
I wanna take you home
Jump in my car
It's too far walk on your own
(No thank-you Sir)
Ah come on I'm a trustworthy guy
(No thank-you sir)
Oh little girl I wouldn't tell you no lies
(I know your game)
How can you say that we only just met
(You're all the same)
Ooh she's got me there, but I'll get her yet
(I got you there)
No you didn't I was catching my breath, and look it's starting to rain and baby you'll catch your death
(Well I dunno)
Ah come it comes nothing to try and you'll arrive home nice and dry
[Chorus: x2]
(Well maybe I will)
Ah that's better now your talking sense
(But you best keep still)
Well if you like I'll just put up a fence
(No need to get smart)
Well alright we'll soon be on our way
(Well we better start)
What for?
(Because it's such a long way)
Well why where'd you live?
(I live down South, It's roughly 85 miles)
Hey slow down you must be joking there behind that cute smile
(Oh no I'm not)
Well if you're not there's only one thing to say
(And what's that?)
Get outta the car get on your way!
Get outta my car
(But you just said that you'd take me home)
Well it's just too far
(But there's no way I can get there alone)
I couldn't care less
(Well maybe I could see you next week)
But you look a mess
(Well look who's talking you've got no right to speak)
Get outta my car
(You told me that you were a really nice guy)
Oh well I ain't
Well, yeah get outta my car
Get out, get out of my car
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
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/
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
lol exactly LivOfDiamonds.