"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.
Found an old man lying on the street
Thought I'd do my good deed
I wrapped my coat around him and brought him food to eat
With labored breath he struggled
But his eyes held heaven's light
He whispered, "Young man, don't feel bad for me
It'll all work out all right"
'Cos I was built for glory
I was made to last
God formed these feet to walk golden streets when this hard life is passed
Say, "He's doing well on the other side" if anybody asks
Say I was built for glory
I was made to last
He said, "I've been a Texas Ranger
And I've been a railroad man
Lost two sons to consumption
I lost my money in a get-rich scam
Buried my wife 15 years ago
That's when I took to the road
I'm too crippled now to walk again
But I'll walk the streets of gold"
I asked, "What's your name?"
He shook his head
Said, "It don't really matter
I'm just another poor soul out on the street whose reward's in the great hereafter
And Jesus been a friend of mine when all others pass me by
But He led you here so I could say these words before I die"
The old man held me by the hand and sighed his final breath
Now his spirit is in heaven while his body is at rest
Today I'm making it my mission to help others understand
We're all fish out of water
Strangers in a foreign land
We were built for glory
We were made to last
God formed our feet to walk golden streets when this hard life is passed
It's time to make your peace with God 'cos this life's over fast
We were built for glory
We were made to last
Thought I'd do my good deed
I wrapped my coat around him and brought him food to eat
With labored breath he struggled
But his eyes held heaven's light
He whispered, "Young man, don't feel bad for me
It'll all work out all right"
'Cos I was built for glory
I was made to last
God formed these feet to walk golden streets when this hard life is passed
Say, "He's doing well on the other side" if anybody asks
Say I was built for glory
I was made to last
He said, "I've been a Texas Ranger
And I've been a railroad man
Lost two sons to consumption
I lost my money in a get-rich scam
Buried my wife 15 years ago
That's when I took to the road
I'm too crippled now to walk again
But I'll walk the streets of gold"
I asked, "What's your name?"
He shook his head
Said, "It don't really matter
I'm just another poor soul out on the street whose reward's in the great hereafter
And Jesus been a friend of mine when all others pass me by
But He led you here so I could say these words before I die"
The old man held me by the hand and sighed his final breath
Now his spirit is in heaven while his body is at rest
Today I'm making it my mission to help others understand
We're all fish out of water
Strangers in a foreign land
We were built for glory
We were made to last
God formed our feet to walk golden streets when this hard life is passed
It's time to make your peace with God 'cos this life's over fast
We were built for glory
We were made to last
Lyrics submitted by Michial
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
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.
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.