"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.
It begins with a dark glowing ember,
Something black burning it's way out of me.
Searing the flesh,
Pain is the only thing I feel,
Scars all I see.
Oh no the fire's burning my insides again,
What can I do to silence my desire tonight?
Face consumer reason leaving all the ashes there,
You won't catch me for granting my decision,
I can't keep telling myself what I want to hear,
I can't just close my eyes.
I know that it's killing me,
And it's poisoning the best of me,
But I say, I don't want to believe.
So let me tell you boy, tell you boy,
About the lies I lead.
That is how it kills, I got some flames and gasoline
Broken teeth replace the blackout memories in my head
Wreckage from the blast, it often shakes me to the floor
(to the floor)
I know it's over but I can't go home tonight.
And after this I feel as empty as the night before,
Feel the pain and yet I'm still begging for more.
Masochistic, nihilistic, gurging wrecked up thoughts
My life's a mess and I can't find a way to fix it.
I can't keep telling myself what I want to hear,
I can't just close my eyes
(my eyes, my eyes, my fucking eyes)
I know that it's killing me,
And it's poisoning the best of me,
But I say, I don't want to believe.
So let me tell you boy, tell you boy,
About the lies I lead.
Calling, calling out.
The darkness reaches up my soul,
I'm riddled with self-doubt.
Crawling, crawling out,
My will to fight will more than suffice,
While others will lay down.
It's only as dark as you make it.
I know that it's killing me,
And it's poisoning the best of me,
But I say, I don't want to believe.
So let me tell you boy, tell you boy,
About the lies I lead.
Something black burning it's way out of me.
Searing the flesh,
Pain is the only thing I feel,
Scars all I see.
Oh no the fire's burning my insides again,
What can I do to silence my desire tonight?
Face consumer reason leaving all the ashes there,
You won't catch me for granting my decision,
I can't keep telling myself what I want to hear,
I can't just close my eyes.
I know that it's killing me,
And it's poisoning the best of me,
But I say, I don't want to believe.
So let me tell you boy, tell you boy,
About the lies I lead.
That is how it kills, I got some flames and gasoline
Broken teeth replace the blackout memories in my head
Wreckage from the blast, it often shakes me to the floor
(to the floor)
I know it's over but I can't go home tonight.
And after this I feel as empty as the night before,
Feel the pain and yet I'm still begging for more.
Masochistic, nihilistic, gurging wrecked up thoughts
My life's a mess and I can't find a way to fix it.
I can't keep telling myself what I want to hear,
I can't just close my eyes
(my eyes, my eyes, my fucking eyes)
I know that it's killing me,
And it's poisoning the best of me,
But I say, I don't want to believe.
So let me tell you boy, tell you boy,
About the lies I lead.
Calling, calling out.
The darkness reaches up my soul,
I'm riddled with self-doubt.
Crawling, crawling out,
My will to fight will more than suffice,
While others will lay down.
It's only as dark as you make it.
I know that it's killing me,
And it's poisoning the best of me,
But I say, I don't want to believe.
So let me tell you boy, tell you boy,
About the lies I lead.
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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.
Yes I saw that aspect too. Although it seems alchohol abuse is only tied into this album, and not the main component (ie. in Paper Anchor themes such as "into the sea... I needed a drink" relate to this but the song as a whole covers more than just this issue. In this song I see a lot of references to alcohol and how after it he is still empty but has to go home. This is hard to do because it means he has to face reality (which is "a mess and I can't fix it"). Alcohol is like a bandage. In my own situation, I never had this addiction, but I can replace drug with 'women' and it would still hold the same meaning and feelings. Very dynamic song with plenty of excellent themes.
I was totaly opposed to the thought of it being drug additction such as alchohol, but the way you gathered your facts here made it a very possible interpretation. I also have never drank, nor have I ever taken any kind of drugs, but I have smoked cigaretts. It is a terrible addiction and I can relate the song to smoking, but I just can't seem to get my mind to believe that it could be alchohol. But you are totaly right on this and I am starting to see that possibility.
love this song.. haha its so addicting!! 2nd best off the album.. no competition AT ALL.. other than when two are one :) love this one and that one haha .. love the music in the album..hate the singing... they've changed.. lets hope the singing gets better.
Not sure if the lyrics are perfectly correct, but this is what I can hear. This is my fav song off the new record, it's just an excellent overall song. Song Meaning: Depression, facing yourself, addiction to pain, and so much more that is based on what it means to you personally,
could the song be about drug addiction or alcohol abuse? maybe an abusive relationship which is doubtful
i think it's
"let me tell you more, tell you more"
i feel a bit stupid....i didn't really pick up on the alcohol or anything, but i guess everyone takes their own meaning to songs. i related it to me, where it's a constant state of "she cares about you, she loves you" etc, so i figured that's sort of what they meant with i can't keep telling myself what i want to hear....but it could be alcohol too. eh, i suppose it's all self meaning.
i agree i like relating it to my own experiences
just depends i guess... awesome song though. when two are one is my favorite though....
i love the "my eyes, my eyes, my fucking eyes" part.
even though this cd is different, this is still great music. best song on the cd imo.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Correction- It's 'Tell your MORE' not 'boy'
You*