"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.
This is a mean and cold town,
I hate this fucking place.
Watch the rats as they all drown,
Dying slowly day by day.
Decrepit and falling down,
Cesspool of human waste.
Swallow profit in deep,
Now in death you'll finally know the taste.
There are no souls left here to save.
Forgotten, lost angels, long disgraced.
You fucking hypocrite,
But hooks in lips they do not lie.
Compassion served not on your plate,
How many of them have you watched die?
I can't write you a happy song,
I can't write you a sing-a-long,
The only catchy hook I've got,
Is the one in my bleeding gut.
Burn it down
There are no souls left here to save.
Forgotten, lost angels, long disgraced.
Dead stares, dead eyes,
Choked hopes and vacant minds,
Blank words, blank lives,
The end result of endless lies.
There's no angels here,
To get lost in the first place
Jackhammer a fault line,
Pray for earthquakes.
Mulhollands's on fire,
And my cig' started it.
'92 should have burnt this fucker down,
We're here to finish it.
I'm not impressed by much here,
Much less what you have to say.
Don't give a fuck who you know,
I just want to leave this hellhole
Know that you mean nothing to me,
Nor the lies that seep from your teeth.
Won't piss on you if you're on fire,
One more self-important liar.
Burn it down.
I hate this fucking place.
Watch the rats as they all drown,
Dying slowly day by day.
Decrepit and falling down,
Cesspool of human waste.
Swallow profit in deep,
Now in death you'll finally know the taste.
There are no souls left here to save.
Forgotten, lost angels, long disgraced.
You fucking hypocrite,
But hooks in lips they do not lie.
Compassion served not on your plate,
How many of them have you watched die?
I can't write you a happy song,
I can't write you a sing-a-long,
The only catchy hook I've got,
Is the one in my bleeding gut.
Burn it down
There are no souls left here to save.
Forgotten, lost angels, long disgraced.
Dead stares, dead eyes,
Choked hopes and vacant minds,
Blank words, blank lives,
The end result of endless lies.
There's no angels here,
To get lost in the first place
Jackhammer a fault line,
Pray for earthquakes.
Mulhollands's on fire,
And my cig' started it.
'92 should have burnt this fucker down,
We're here to finish it.
I'm not impressed by much here,
Much less what you have to say.
Don't give a fuck who you know,
I just want to leave this hellhole
Know that you mean nothing to me,
Nor the lies that seep from your teeth.
Won't piss on you if you're on fire,
One more self-important liar.
Burn it down.
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[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.
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.
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.
this song is amazing, lots of powerful fuckin hatred and energy went into these lyrics. I'm pretty sure this song is about Randy fuckin hating Los Angeles.
oh yeah and what happened in '92 that should have burnt this fucker down ... anyone?