"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'm sick of this dirty dress
I'm thinking I might do less, now
There's something I must confess, to you
You know how everydays
The same old everyways, well
I've got a secret to tell
I can't contain it anymore
Who's knocking at your door?
Hey! Surprise!
I never liked you, even when I tried to
Don't speak now it's my turn baby uh uh
I never liked you, and I won't pretend to
Hey! Look twice!
I never liked you even when I tried to
Can't you see the curtain's falling uh uh
Is there a reason you're still hangin' around?
That's right I'm waving goodbye
You always thought I'd play nice, well
You never thought at all
You look a little distressed
Am I looking my best, now
Here's something you can't possess
I can't contain it anymore
Who's knocking at your door?
Hey! Surprise!
I never liked you, even when I tried to
Don't speak now it's my turn baby uh uh
I never liked you, and I won't pretend to
Hey! Look twice!
I never liked you even when I tried to
Can't you see the curtain's falling uh uh
Is there a reason you're still hangin' around?
How could it suddenly be that we've come to this?
I'll drag you down to me, and then I'll switch your place
So you're the one that's stuck here with a picture of my face
Hey! Surprise!
I never liked you, even when I tried to
Don't speak now it's my turn baby uh uh
I never liked you, and I won't pretend to
Hey! Look twice!
I never liked you even when I tried to
Can't you see the curtain's falling uh uh
I'm thinking I might do less, now
There's something I must confess, to you
You know how everydays
The same old everyways, well
I've got a secret to tell
I can't contain it anymore
Who's knocking at your door?
Hey! Surprise!
I never liked you, even when I tried to
Don't speak now it's my turn baby uh uh
I never liked you, and I won't pretend to
Hey! Look twice!
I never liked you even when I tried to
Can't you see the curtain's falling uh uh
Is there a reason you're still hangin' around?
That's right I'm waving goodbye
You always thought I'd play nice, well
You never thought at all
You look a little distressed
Am I looking my best, now
Here's something you can't possess
I can't contain it anymore
Who's knocking at your door?
Hey! Surprise!
I never liked you, even when I tried to
Don't speak now it's my turn baby uh uh
I never liked you, and I won't pretend to
Hey! Look twice!
I never liked you even when I tried to
Can't you see the curtain's falling uh uh
Is there a reason you're still hangin' around?
How could it suddenly be that we've come to this?
I'll drag you down to me, and then I'll switch your place
So you're the one that's stuck here with a picture of my face
Hey! Surprise!
I never liked you, even when I tried to
Don't speak now it's my turn baby uh uh
I never liked you, and I won't pretend to
Hey! Look twice!
I never liked you even when I tried to
Can't you see the curtain's falling uh uh
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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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
I laughed so hard when I first heard this song. I'm pretty sick of it now, but it's still good.
Meaning's obvious. She never liked him. :D