"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.
Ladies, l-l-ladies, l-l-ladies, here we go
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it, got it, g-got it
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it, got it
Honey, lookin' good from her head to her toe
Beauty overload, body outta control
She 24, she could be a model
So beautiful, all so natural
Mama lookin' good from her head to her feet
She 44, but she still lookin' sweet
And you could tell her daughter ain't even at a peak
Cause her mama lookin' so hot, packin' that heat
So be a good girl and thank yo mama
She made ya steamin' like a sauna
Look out, look out here she come now
Look out, look out here she come
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it, got it, g-got it
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it, got it
Girl, yo beauty is a sensation
You sittin' in the temptation
I never knew a girl could shine like the sun
You betta thank ya mama, cause girl you the one
We should have a date of celebration
Celebratin' God's best creation
Girl, you got a beautiful vibration
Everyday should be ya birthday, hon'
You make the guys all dumb
Maybe cause your blessed with the beautiful buns
Maybe cause your beauty keep the dudes unsprung
Wonderin' just where you got that from, from, f-from...
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it, got it, g-got it
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
All that fish right here, I got all this from my mama
All this stuff right here, I got all this from my mama
Ladies, l-l-ladies, Ladies, l-l-ladies, Ladies, l-l-ladies, l-l-ladies, here we go
If the girl real fine, 9 times outta 10 she fine just like her mama
And if the girl real pretty, 9 times outta 10 she pretty like her mama
And if the mama real ugly, I guarantee she g'on be ugly like her mama
And if the mama real ugly, I guarantee she g'on be ugly like her mama
And if the girl real sexy, 9 times outta 10 she sexy like her mama
And if the girl real hot, 9 times outta 10 she hot just like her mama
And if the mama real ugly, I guarantee she g'on be ugly like her mama
And if the mama real ugly, I guarantee she g'on be ugly like her mama (like her mama)
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
All that fish right here, I got all this from my mama
All this stuff right here, I got all this from my mama
If you pretty make some noi...
If you pretty make some noi...
If you pretty make some noi, make some noi, make some noi...
L-l-ladies, l-l-ladies, l-l-ladies, l-l-ladies, l-l-ladies, l-l-ladies...
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it, got it, g-got it
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it, got it
Honey, lookin' good from her head to her toe
Beauty overload, body outta control
She 24, she could be a model
So beautiful, all so natural
Mama lookin' good from her head to her feet
She 44, but she still lookin' sweet
And you could tell her daughter ain't even at a peak
Cause her mama lookin' so hot, packin' that heat
So be a good girl and thank yo mama
She made ya steamin' like a sauna
Look out, look out here she come now
Look out, look out here she come
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it, got it, g-got it
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it, got it
Girl, yo beauty is a sensation
You sittin' in the temptation
I never knew a girl could shine like the sun
You betta thank ya mama, cause girl you the one
We should have a date of celebration
Celebratin' God's best creation
Girl, you got a beautiful vibration
Everyday should be ya birthday, hon'
You make the guys all dumb
Maybe cause your blessed with the beautiful buns
Maybe cause your beauty keep the dudes unsprung
Wonderin' just where you got that from, from, f-from...
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it from my mama
I got it, got it, g-got it
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
All that fish right here, I got all this from my mama
All this stuff right here, I got all this from my mama
Ladies, l-l-ladies, Ladies, l-l-ladies, Ladies, l-l-ladies, l-l-ladies, here we go
If the girl real fine, 9 times outta 10 she fine just like her mama
And if the girl real pretty, 9 times outta 10 she pretty like her mama
And if the mama real ugly, I guarantee she g'on be ugly like her mama
And if the mama real ugly, I guarantee she g'on be ugly like her mama
And if the girl real sexy, 9 times outta 10 she sexy like her mama
And if the girl real hot, 9 times outta 10 she hot just like her mama
And if the mama real ugly, I guarantee she g'on be ugly like her mama
And if the mama real ugly, I guarantee she g'on be ugly like her mama (like her mama)
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
Baby, where'd you get yo body from?
Tell me where'd you get yo body from
All that fish right here, I got all this from my mama
All this stuff right here, I got all this from my mama
If you pretty make some noi...
If you pretty make some noi...
If you pretty make some noi, make some noi, make some noi...
L-l-ladies, l-l-ladies, l-l-ladies, l-l-ladies, l-l-ladies, l-l-ladies...
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.
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.
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,
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
hehehehehehe i loooooveee it!!!!!!!!!! as for the meaning.. rather self explanitory lol. -hayles-
This song is disgustingly offensive to women. Why doesn't he sing about a real issue instead of something so superficial and disrespectful at the same time?
To the person above- I actually have mixed feelings on this song. On one hand, it's really nice to hear this, because it's kind of...idk...respectful to the mom to say that this girl's good looks are in her family, not from makeup or whatever. But then again I really hate the lines "and if the mama real ugly i guarantee she be ugly like her mama". Number one, that's really mean. Number 2, it's not always true. I know these beautiful girls that have moms that aren't ugly, but plain. It's like, they could be pretty if they tried, but they don't. Or sometimes they are just flat out ugly.
I am sorry but this song is fucking pathetic. i hate this type of music. why am I here? to bash is of course because of the shit that is put out these days. I'm sorry, what happened to when a song had deep metaphorical lyrics, not some fucked up beat and repetitive lyrics that's just about girls and sex the whole goddamn time. this is why I listen to bands like Marilyn Manson and Cradle Of Filth, intellectual, poetical and metaphorical lyrics that requires you to think. and metal bands like opeth. musical geniuses, songs that are 10 minutes long, brilliant lyrics. not some fucker who sings about the same shit over and over again.
'And if her mama real ugly, I guarantee ya she gon' be ugly like her mama'
i hate that line
Killwestlife. Haha, if you're going to act holier than someone y'know... name drop some decent bands who aren't as pop and throwaway as someone like Will.I.Am. Imo, this song is fantastic. People shouldn't get so serious over it because it's just a song. As far as I'm concerned the song's catchy... it's got a great beat and it's got a sense of humour - maybe some of you should get one of those=)
EmoAtylex, I agree. I think this song is degrading to women to be honest. I can't believe he had the audacity to make a song like this.
killwestlife.
I agree whole heartedly with all you just said.
i got it from my mama's wallet.