"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.
And you cried all night 'til you created a stream
And it flows forever, it's made of dreams
That didn't come true, and I'm sorry, there's nothing more
That I can do
When we get together, take apart my fantasy
And when we are done, we'll work on you
Yes, we lie emotionless staring at the ceiling
Your back turned up against the wall
And now I, I clearly see straight to the back of my skull
And I'm shivering all night long
Yes, my skin is clear and you can see what I'm thinking
I'm thinking hard about all the things I've been dreaming
I've been dreaming about you, and only you
Turning land into waste and barren into parking lots
And I'm constantly turned off by the look of the clock
And it's turning into hours
And I've got nothing to look forward too
'Cause I killed all the flowers
And that cold wind will blow, tear the skin off your nose
And you've got nothing to be grateful for
But your list of wishes
Yes, and dirty dishes
And you wanted more and you got less, and it hurt
Oh, but it could be worse, yeah
Things could be so much worse
And it flows forever, it's made of dreams
That didn't come true, and I'm sorry, there's nothing more
That I can do
When we get together, take apart my fantasy
And when we are done, we'll work on you
Yes, we lie emotionless staring at the ceiling
Your back turned up against the wall
And now I, I clearly see straight to the back of my skull
And I'm shivering all night long
Yes, my skin is clear and you can see what I'm thinking
I'm thinking hard about all the things I've been dreaming
I've been dreaming about you, and only you
Turning land into waste and barren into parking lots
And I'm constantly turned off by the look of the clock
And it's turning into hours
And I've got nothing to look forward too
'Cause I killed all the flowers
And that cold wind will blow, tear the skin off your nose
And you've got nothing to be grateful for
But your list of wishes
Yes, and dirty dishes
And you wanted more and you got less, and it hurt
Oh, but it could be worse, yeah
Things could be so much worse
Lyrics submitted by anabel lee, edited by sharkycharming, skrank
Dirty Dishes Lyrics as written by John Joseph Mccauley Iii
Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
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@[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.
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.
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
It's funny how a song hits you and you think you know what it means cause you experienced that yourself. Maybe I did. Here's my thoughts:
This is sbout two people who were in really in love. Their relationship ended and they still struggle with their dreams for eachother, their love, their hurt, etc. His infidelity also helped lead to their breakup ("I've been dreaming about you and only you").
I'd love some more detailed explainations from others. I really like this one. Really want to see them live.