"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.
You and I are like oil and water
And we've been trying, trying, trying
Oh, to mix it up
We've been dancing on a volcano
And we've been crying, crying, crying
Over blackened soles
Babe, this wouldn't be the first time
It will not be the last time
There is no parasol that could shelter this weather
I've been smiling with anchors on my shoulders
And I've been dying, dying, dying
Oh, to let them go
Babe, this wouldn't be the first time
It will not be the last time
There is no parasol that could shelter this weather
Babe, this wouldn't be the first time
Will not be the last time
We were trying to believe everything would get better
We've been lying to each other
Hey, babe! Let's just call it, call it, call it
Oh, what it is
Oil and water
Oil and water
Oil and water
Oil
And we've been trying, trying, trying
Oh, to mix it up
We've been dancing on a volcano
And we've been crying, crying, crying
Over blackened soles
Babe, this wouldn't be the first time
It will not be the last time
There is no parasol that could shelter this weather
I've been smiling with anchors on my shoulders
And I've been dying, dying, dying
Oh, to let them go
Babe, this wouldn't be the first time
It will not be the last time
There is no parasol that could shelter this weather
Babe, this wouldn't be the first time
Will not be the last time
We were trying to believe everything would get better
We've been lying to each other
Hey, babe! Let's just call it, call it, call it
Oh, what it is
Oil and water
Oil and water
Oil and water
Oil
Lyrics submitted by MakeYourSelf101
Oil and Water Lyrics as written by Brandon Charles Boyd Benjamin Lee Kenney
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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.
I agree.