"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.
Seize a darkened day,
There's only hell to pay,
And no one left to see this prodigal return.
Sweet apathy's my toll.
You'll mourn the traded soul.
I'll dig a deeper hole.
Sanctity, a breath away.
Just a breath away.
Blacken the cursed sun.
You're not the only one,
To have sunk so far and low.
There is no tomorrow.
A tragedy on display,
A sickness for all to see.
I will kill this part of myself that I hate and that I see in you.
It was always mine, anyway.
There's something you can't take away.
I choose not to feel the pain
Sanctity, a breath away.
Just a breath away.
Away.
Just a breath away.
Blacken the cursed sun.
You're not the only one,
To have sunk so far and low.
There is no tomorrow.
Blacken the cursed sun.
Blacken what's yet to be done.
Blacken, because now you know, there is no tomorrow.
Is there still hope for us?
Can we still be saved?
Does your God hold a place for us?
There is no tomorrow.
Is there still hope for us?
Can we still be saved?
Does your God hold a place for us?
Is there time to repent?
Will we rise from the dead?
Can these sins even be forgiven?
Is there still hope for us?
Were we ever even alive?
Is any of this even real?
You're just a breath away.
You're just a breath away.
Better to die quick fighting on your feet
Then to live forever begging on your knees
No.
Can we still be saved?
Hell no!
Does your God hold a place for us?
Hell no!
Is there time to repent?
Hell no!
Will we rise from the dead?
Hell no!
Can these sins even be forgiven?
Hell no!
Is there still hope for us?
Hell no!
Were we ever even alive?
Hell no!
Is any of this even real?
Hell no!
Hell no!
There's only hell to pay,
And no one left to see this prodigal return.
Sweet apathy's my toll.
You'll mourn the traded soul.
I'll dig a deeper hole.
Sanctity, a breath away.
Just a breath away.
Blacken the cursed sun.
You're not the only one,
To have sunk so far and low.
There is no tomorrow.
A tragedy on display,
A sickness for all to see.
I will kill this part of myself that I hate and that I see in you.
It was always mine, anyway.
There's something you can't take away.
I choose not to feel the pain
Sanctity, a breath away.
Just a breath away.
Away.
Just a breath away.
Blacken the cursed sun.
You're not the only one,
To have sunk so far and low.
There is no tomorrow.
Blacken the cursed sun.
Blacken what's yet to be done.
Blacken, because now you know, there is no tomorrow.
Is there still hope for us?
Can we still be saved?
Does your God hold a place for us?
There is no tomorrow.
Is there still hope for us?
Can we still be saved?
Does your God hold a place for us?
Is there time to repent?
Will we rise from the dead?
Can these sins even be forgiven?
Is there still hope for us?
Were we ever even alive?
Is any of this even real?
You're just a breath away.
You're just a breath away.
Better to die quick fighting on your feet
Then to live forever begging on your knees
No.
Can we still be saved?
Hell no!
Does your God hold a place for us?
Hell no!
Is there time to repent?
Hell no!
Will we rise from the dead?
Hell no!
Can these sins even be forgiven?
Hell no!
Is there still hope for us?
Hell no!
Were we ever even alive?
Hell no!
Is any of this even real?
Hell no!
Hell no!
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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.
This song confronts suicidal depression