"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.
Well I heard of jealous guys
But this one takes the cake
And he wants to murder me
But I've never seen his face
But if he wants it, tell him "bring it on!"
And I'm not gonna be scared at all
But I've seen him in my dreams
Now I'm afraid to go to sleep
And he haunts me in the night
And he's got a vendetta and he thinks he's right
He's got a vendetta and he thinks he's right
Oww
He thinks I took his girl
But it simply isn't true
And I know he's got a gun
And I don't know what he'll do
But if he wants it tell him bring it on
And I'm not gonna be scared at all
Well go talk to your man
And try to make him understand
If he still thinks that's he's right
Well bring your gun and I'll bring my knife
Bring your gun and I'll bring my knife
You can strike me down, it won't make it right
Strike me down, it won't make it right
Ow
Well I know he's got that pistol
And he waves it in his hand
And he thinks that your his girl
And he still thinks he's your man
But if he wants it tell him BRING IT ON
And I ain't gonna be scared at all
But I've seen him in my dreams
Now I'm afraid to go to sleep
And he haunts me in the night
And he's got a vendetta and he thinks he's right
You can bring your gun and I'll bring my knife
Strike me down it won't make it right
Strike me down it won't make it right
Oww
But this one takes the cake
And he wants to murder me
But I've never seen his face
But if he wants it, tell him "bring it on!"
And I'm not gonna be scared at all
But I've seen him in my dreams
Now I'm afraid to go to sleep
And he haunts me in the night
And he's got a vendetta and he thinks he's right
He's got a vendetta and he thinks he's right
Oww
He thinks I took his girl
But it simply isn't true
And I know he's got a gun
And I don't know what he'll do
But if he wants it tell him bring it on
And I'm not gonna be scared at all
Well go talk to your man
And try to make him understand
If he still thinks that's he's right
Well bring your gun and I'll bring my knife
Bring your gun and I'll bring my knife
You can strike me down, it won't make it right
Strike me down, it won't make it right
Ow
Well I know he's got that pistol
And he waves it in his hand
And he thinks that your his girl
And he still thinks he's your man
But if he wants it tell him BRING IT ON
And I ain't gonna be scared at all
But I've seen him in my dreams
Now I'm afraid to go to sleep
And he haunts me in the night
And he's got a vendetta and he thinks he's right
You can bring your gun and I'll bring my knife
Strike me down it won't make it right
Strike me down it won't make it right
Oww
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
never bring a knife to a gun fight