"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.
Rising and spiraling
Then vanish in the wind
I can't tell where the land
Ends and they sky begins
Are you acquainted with
The threat of being killed
Are you conversing with pigeons on the windowsill
And every battle has been fought
And everything I think was thought
Down and down we've descended
Every day keeps getting shorter
As my sleeves start getting longer
And the sidewalks overflow
Patronize pedestrian
With no sense of direction
I am lost and can't ask a question
Rising and spiraling
They vanish in the wind
I can't tell when the land
Ends and the sky begins
This city truly is assaulting my senses
Unkempt unruly devour defenseless
Occupant if poverty build character
And spoils breed arrogance
Id rather consort with the low and the decadent
Every battle has been fought
Everything I think had been thought
Down and down we've descended
Everyday keeps getting shorter
As my sleeves keep getting longer
And the sidewalks overflow
Patronize pedestrian
With no sense of direction
I am lost and can't ask a question
You'd better have the strength
Of the wandering aimless
With an audience of the most prestigious
Do you have the strain to love the one
You came with
I hope you have the strength
Were in the belly of
Every battle has been fought
Everything I think has been thought
Down and down we've descended
Every day keeps getting shorter
As my sleeves start getting longer
And the sidewalks overflow
Patronize pedestrian
With no sense of direction
I am lost and can't ask a question
Then vanish in the wind
I can't tell where the land
Ends and they sky begins
Are you acquainted with
The threat of being killed
Are you conversing with pigeons on the windowsill
And every battle has been fought
And everything I think was thought
Down and down we've descended
Every day keeps getting shorter
As my sleeves start getting longer
And the sidewalks overflow
Patronize pedestrian
With no sense of direction
I am lost and can't ask a question
Rising and spiraling
They vanish in the wind
I can't tell when the land
Ends and the sky begins
This city truly is assaulting my senses
Unkempt unruly devour defenseless
Occupant if poverty build character
And spoils breed arrogance
Id rather consort with the low and the decadent
Every battle has been fought
Everything I think had been thought
Down and down we've descended
Everyday keeps getting shorter
As my sleeves keep getting longer
And the sidewalks overflow
Patronize pedestrian
With no sense of direction
I am lost and can't ask a question
You'd better have the strength
Of the wandering aimless
With an audience of the most prestigious
Do you have the strain to love the one
You came with
I hope you have the strength
Were in the belly of
Every battle has been fought
Everything I think has been thought
Down and down we've descended
Every day keeps getting shorter
As my sleeves start getting longer
And the sidewalks overflow
Patronize pedestrian
With no sense of direction
I am lost and can't ask a question
Lyrics submitted by SmallWorld
Daylight Slaving Lyrics as written by Francis Mark Brian Deneeve
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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/
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.
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.
At the beginning I'm pretty sure he's saying Rising and spiraling. It's possible it's not "Steam..." the second time, but thats what the insert says.