"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 kneel before you concealed by the screen
Forgive me I have sinned Father what are you hiding?
I think it’s wrong, but it’s so fun
You don’t belong, it’s only begun
This list is long I fear it bears my name
It’s not exclusive cause we’re all goin’ to hell
You’re judgment condemns me, take the smirk off your face
The jury has spoken, another promise broken
I think it’s wrong, but it’s so fun
You don’t belong, it’s only begun
The list is long I fear it bears my name
A one-way ticket and eternity of pain
Down the River Haiti’s on a pleasure cruise
Anchor’s Away my friend we’re all goin’ to hell
Bells are tolling, numbers soaring; don’t forget to bring your SPF 80
Got your suitcase, put on your best face, free drinks from Luicifer for all the Ladies
The list is long I fear it bears my name
A one-way ticket and eternity of pain
Down the River Haiti’s on a pleasure cruise
Anchor’s Away my friend we’re all goin’ to hell
The list is long I see it bears your name
Who’s coming with us down straight to Hell
Forgive me I have sinned Father what are you hiding?
I think it’s wrong, but it’s so fun
You don’t belong, it’s only begun
This list is long I fear it bears my name
It’s not exclusive cause we’re all goin’ to hell
You’re judgment condemns me, take the smirk off your face
The jury has spoken, another promise broken
I think it’s wrong, but it’s so fun
You don’t belong, it’s only begun
The list is long I fear it bears my name
A one-way ticket and eternity of pain
Down the River Haiti’s on a pleasure cruise
Anchor’s Away my friend we’re all goin’ to hell
Bells are tolling, numbers soaring; don’t forget to bring your SPF 80
Got your suitcase, put on your best face, free drinks from Luicifer for all the Ladies
The list is long I fear it bears my name
A one-way ticket and eternity of pain
Down the River Haiti’s on a pleasure cruise
Anchor’s Away my friend we’re all goin’ to hell
The list is long I see it bears your name
Who’s coming with us down straight to Hell
Lyrics submitted by peterpanda
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
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.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced 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.