"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.
If the elephants have past lives yet are destined to always remember
It's no wonder how they scream
Like you and I they must have some temper
And I am dreaming of them on the plains dirtying up their beds
Watching for some kind of rain to cool their hot heads
And how dare that you send me that card when I'm doing all that I can do
You are forcing me to remember when all I want is to just forget you
If the tiger shall protect her young then tell me how did you slip by
All my instincts have failed me for once I must have somehow slept the whole night
And I am dreaming of them with their kill tearing it all apart
Blood dripping from their lips and teeth sinking in too hearts
And how dare that you say you will call when you know I need some peace of mind
If you had to take sides with the animals won't you do it with one who is kind?
If the hawks in the trees need the dead if you're living you don't stand a chance
You can lie there and say you are fed but there are only two ends to this dance
You can flee with your wounds just in time or lie there as he feeds
Watching yourself ripped to shreds and laughing as you bleed
So for those of you falling in love keep it kind keep it good keep it right
Throw yourself in the midst of danger but keep one eye open at night
It's no wonder how they scream
Like you and I they must have some temper
And I am dreaming of them on the plains dirtying up their beds
Watching for some kind of rain to cool their hot heads
And how dare that you send me that card when I'm doing all that I can do
You are forcing me to remember when all I want is to just forget you
If the tiger shall protect her young then tell me how did you slip by
All my instincts have failed me for once I must have somehow slept the whole night
And I am dreaming of them with their kill tearing it all apart
Blood dripping from their lips and teeth sinking in too hearts
And how dare that you say you will call when you know I need some peace of mind
If you had to take sides with the animals won't you do it with one who is kind?
If the hawks in the trees need the dead if you're living you don't stand a chance
You can lie there and say you are fed but there are only two ends to this dance
You can flee with your wounds just in time or lie there as he feeds
Watching yourself ripped to shreds and laughing as you bleed
So for those of you falling in love keep it kind keep it good keep it right
Throw yourself in the midst of danger but keep one eye open at night
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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.
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.
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.
I think she's trying to forget someone she fell in love with who hurt her badly, but she can't let go of her feelings which he knows. She fell in love with him wholeheartedly and put her heart and soul into it ["I must have somehow slept the whole night"].
He uses the fact that she still loves him against her like by saying that he'll call and sending her cards knowing that it'll keep rekindling the feelings. ["And how dare that you send me that card when I am doing all that I can do You are forcing me to remember when all I want is to just forget you"]
In the end she gives a warning to everyone falling in love. She says "So for those of you falling in love keep it kind Keep it good Keep it right Throw yourself in the midst of danger but keep one eye open at night"
Which is basically saying take the risk and fall in love [throw yourself in the midst of danger] but be careful and be wary [but keep one eye open at night]
I'm in love with this song.