"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.
We made a plan that was subject to change
So whatever was it works out we both get the blame
In the arms of this low
And you took the wind right out of my sails
By sweating me out on all the little details
In the arms of this low
In the arms of this low
So thread the light
So thread the light
We made a choice and we knew we would pay
For stealing the joy and trying to escape
From the arms of this low
And if by some chance you break from the pack
You know I'll be waiting to welcome you back
Into the arms of this low
In the arms of this low
Thread the light,
Thread the light,
Thread the light,
Thread the light,
Shine the light,
Don't hide the light,
Live the light,
And give the light,
Seek the light,
And speak the light,
Crave the light, and brave the light,
Stare the light,
And share the light,
Show the light,
And know the light,
Raise the light,
And praise the light,
Thread the light,
And spread the light.
So whatever was it works out we both get the blame
In the arms of this low
And you took the wind right out of my sails
By sweating me out on all the little details
In the arms of this low
In the arms of this low
So thread the light
So thread the light
We made a choice and we knew we would pay
For stealing the joy and trying to escape
From the arms of this low
And if by some chance you break from the pack
You know I'll be waiting to welcome you back
Into the arms of this low
In the arms of this low
Thread the light,
Thread the light,
Thread the light,
Thread the light,
Shine the light,
Don't hide the light,
Live the light,
And give the light,
Seek the light,
And speak the light,
Crave the light, and brave the light,
Stare the light,
And share the light,
Show the light,
And know the light,
Raise the light,
And praise the light,
Thread the light,
And spread the light.
Lyrics submitted by let uss be free
In The Arms Of This Low Lyrics as written by Colm Macconiomaire Glen Hansard
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Downtown Music Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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This song is about a casual relationship, but a relationship in which which both sides would like more from. But neither will admit it. She wants more from him in terms of commitment and obvious signs of affection, and he wants some flexibility, and to know that he's the one that she wants. So, basically, it's a total mess.
There are hints too that for some reason, this relationship makes them both feel guilty. In some sense it's a forbidden relationship - probably due to it being a purely casual, physical one.
So it's about both sides realising this, but realising too that it's their own mess. It's special to them. And even a messy relationship can give love and light to the people in it if they both admit it, embrace it, and deal with any consequences.