"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.
I ain't being funny, I ain't got the brakes
I ain't got the aces, I ain't got the stakes
If only
I ain't got the nerve, I ain't got the makings of
The man you deserve, I ain't got the time
If only
I'll be right on the train, up to town to, take you out again
Right on the train, first one outta here, to take you out again
I ain't got the bullshit, and I ain't got the lies
I ain't got the memories of tears in your eyes
If only
I'd be right on the money, I'd be right on time
I'd be right about everything that's bin all on my mind
If only
I'll be right on the train, up to town to, take you out again
Right on the train, first one outta here, to take you out again
You got a new man, and he sounds great
I got a new girl who treats me right
If only
I'd be right on the train, first one out
Up to town to take you out
Again
I ain't got the aces, I ain't got the stakes
If only
I ain't got the nerve, I ain't got the makings of
The man you deserve, I ain't got the time
If only
I'll be right on the train, up to town to, take you out again
Right on the train, first one outta here, to take you out again
I ain't got the bullshit, and I ain't got the lies
I ain't got the memories of tears in your eyes
If only
I'd be right on the money, I'd be right on time
I'd be right about everything that's bin all on my mind
If only
I'll be right on the train, up to town to, take you out again
Right on the train, first one outta here, to take you out again
You got a new man, and he sounds great
I got a new girl who treats me right
If only
I'd be right on the train, first one out
Up to town to take you out
Again
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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.
to me this song is about a guy who loves a girl but knows he can't give her what she needs. "if only" he could, he'd be on the next train, the first one out, to take her out again.
the way he negates certain comments by adding "if only" is beautiful...
I ain't got the bullshit, and I ain't got the lies I ain't got the memories of tears in your eyes If Only I'd be right on the money, I'd be right on time I'd be right about everything that's been all on my mind If Only
really nice.
The meaning's pretty obvious to this great song. He broke up with a girl (he probably got dumped), they both have new partners, but he'd jump at the first chance to be with that girl again (even though she didn't threat him right, and he doubts he's good enough for her). Kinda suits my current situation.
i love this song, i love his voice.
Totally agree with seatbelt1231. This is my favorite song on the album.