"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.
Come on down i need the inspiration
like to find myself in a sticky situation
fist and knives i won't last a night
but in a battle of wits i swear i'd survive
and i've been running down this long road
chasing dreams we've fallen down and gotten up and almost rip apart at the seems
we can taste it now it's sweet
it's soft and it's on our lips
and you can sing it back
you can sing it
come on take off your shoes
get comfy we're ready to roll
the time is now
the stage is set
let's give them a show
come on we're moving too fast
this town is so slow
the lights get bright
the crowd gets down
and I feel high
sitting in limbo
you're feet keep the tempo
blue skies in our eyes
this drop means the rest of our lives
you can send the rains to flood us out
and try to silence me (shhh)
but so long as we breathe
we'll leave them with something to sing
come on take off your shoes
get comfy we're ready to roll
the time is now
the stage is set
let's give them a show
come on we're moving too fast
this town is so slow
the lights get bright
the crowd gets down
and I feel high
boys are boys and kids will dream
just victims in this scene
we can't sweat it out no matter how hard we play
we can taste it now it's sweet it's soft it's on our lips
and you can sing it back
you can sing it
like to find myself in a sticky situation
fist and knives i won't last a night
but in a battle of wits i swear i'd survive
and i've been running down this long road
chasing dreams we've fallen down and gotten up and almost rip apart at the seems
we can taste it now it's sweet
it's soft and it's on our lips
and you can sing it back
you can sing it
come on take off your shoes
get comfy we're ready to roll
the time is now
the stage is set
let's give them a show
come on we're moving too fast
this town is so slow
the lights get bright
the crowd gets down
and I feel high
sitting in limbo
you're feet keep the tempo
blue skies in our eyes
this drop means the rest of our lives
you can send the rains to flood us out
and try to silence me (shhh)
but so long as we breathe
we'll leave them with something to sing
come on take off your shoes
get comfy we're ready to roll
the time is now
the stage is set
let's give them a show
come on we're moving too fast
this town is so slow
the lights get bright
the crowd gets down
and I feel high
boys are boys and kids will dream
just victims in this scene
we can't sweat it out no matter how hard we play
we can taste it now it's sweet it's soft it's on our lips
and you can sing it back
you can sing it
Lyrics submitted by sweepme_away14
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
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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.
cute?
^ bitch?
hahaha..