"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.
How love can conquer
The most reluctant souls
I'll take my chances
If you give back what you stole
Let me give you a spade
To dig your merry hole
I dig your smile too
And you dug my poker face
I couldn't get in so
Threw stones at your window
Love like an arrow
The arrow has left its bow
Traveling overseas
I'm missing my sweet pea
Airports and handkerchiefs and broken families
On the bridge to Canada
I wish you'd fall but not drown
On the bridge to Canada
Yes I would wear you like a crown
I threw the dice on you
Went very far away
Some people they don't hurt
Just in it for the chase
Zero, seven, nine, five, six, zero, one, two, three, four
Deleted numbers, but remembered to the core
Maybe disappointments
Must be our appointment
Naive and hyper
Now I can't decipher
Before you close the curtains
Be sure that you're certain
When losing your patience
For flirtation and free loving
"You lost your passport!
You lost your head!
You lost your passport!!
Have you lost your head?!"
You're waking up in a foreign bed
On the bridge to Canada
I wish you'd fall but not drown
On the bridge to Canada
Yes I would wear you like a crown
On the bridge to Canada
I wish that you could see me now
On the bridge to Canada
I'll play the fool but not your clown
On the bridge to Canada
"I hear the band have just left town"
On the bridge to Canada
How I miss you now
On the bridge to Canada
You can wear me like a frown
On the bridge to Canada (oh how I will)
Play the fool in this lucky town
On the bridge to Canada
I hope that you are happy now
On the bridge to Canada
I'll play the fool but not your clown
The most reluctant souls
I'll take my chances
If you give back what you stole
Let me give you a spade
To dig your merry hole
I dig your smile too
And you dug my poker face
I couldn't get in so
Threw stones at your window
Love like an arrow
The arrow has left its bow
Traveling overseas
I'm missing my sweet pea
Airports and handkerchiefs and broken families
On the bridge to Canada
I wish you'd fall but not drown
On the bridge to Canada
Yes I would wear you like a crown
I threw the dice on you
Went very far away
Some people they don't hurt
Just in it for the chase
Zero, seven, nine, five, six, zero, one, two, three, four
Deleted numbers, but remembered to the core
Maybe disappointments
Must be our appointment
Naive and hyper
Now I can't decipher
Before you close the curtains
Be sure that you're certain
When losing your patience
For flirtation and free loving
"You lost your passport!
You lost your head!
You lost your passport!!
Have you lost your head?!"
You're waking up in a foreign bed
On the bridge to Canada
I wish you'd fall but not drown
On the bridge to Canada
Yes I would wear you like a crown
On the bridge to Canada
I wish that you could see me now
On the bridge to Canada
I'll play the fool but not your clown
On the bridge to Canada
"I hear the band have just left town"
On the bridge to Canada
How I miss you now
On the bridge to Canada
You can wear me like a frown
On the bridge to Canada (oh how I will)
Play the fool in this lucky town
On the bridge to Canada
I hope that you are happy now
On the bridge to Canada
I'll play the fool but not your clown
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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.
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,
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/
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.
to alexandraqwerty: Let me guess.. you have GOT to be American, right? Your comment just screams Typical American - thinking your country is the absolute end all, every other place is inferior, and that Canada is just riding on your coat-tails. You are a STEREOTYPE. Congrats. sarcastic clapping
i'm pretty sure its a joke. most american canada-bashing is all in jest... dont get bent outta shape, canada's our sister
nobody messes with america's hat!
And you're not American, judging by your own feeling of superiority. Countries don't decide who we are. Before you start talking about stereotypes, watch what you say.
Are you serious? How dumb can a person be? You are stereotyping yourself. Class act buddy....class act lol<br /> <br /> <br /> LOVE THIS SONG!