"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 picture you in the sun wondering what went wrong
And falling down on your knees asking for sympathy
And being caught in between all you wish for and all you seen
And trying to find anything you can feel that you can believe in
May god’s love be with you
Always
May god’s love be with you
I know I would apologize if I could see your eyes
’cause when you showed me myself I became someone else
But I was caught in between all you wish for and all you need
I picture you fast asleep
A nightmare comes
You can’t keep awake
May god’s love be with you
Always
May god’s love be with you
’cause if I find
If I find my own way
How much will I find
If I find
If I find my own way
How much will I find
You
I don’t know anymore
What it’s for
I’m not even sure
If there is anyone who is in the sun
Will you help me to understand
’cause I been caught in between all I wish for and all I need
Maybe you’re not even sure what it’s for
Any more than me
May god’s love be with you
Always
May god’s love be with you
And falling down on your knees asking for sympathy
And being caught in between all you wish for and all you seen
And trying to find anything you can feel that you can believe in
May god’s love be with you
Always
May god’s love be with you
I know I would apologize if I could see your eyes
’cause when you showed me myself I became someone else
But I was caught in between all you wish for and all you need
I picture you fast asleep
A nightmare comes
You can’t keep awake
May god’s love be with you
Always
May god’s love be with you
’cause if I find
If I find my own way
How much will I find
If I find
If I find my own way
How much will I find
You
I don’t know anymore
What it’s for
I’m not even sure
If there is anyone who is in the sun
Will you help me to understand
’cause I been caught in between all I wish for and all I need
Maybe you’re not even sure what it’s for
Any more than me
May god’s love be with you
Always
May god’s love be with you
Lyrics submitted by treller
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This song features Chris Martin from Coldplay as background vocals. This song was created for an EP album for a foundation Michael Stipe created call the "In The Sun Foundation." The purpose of this foundation is to help with Gulf Coast Relief efforts after Hurrican Katrina. Once this is known, the song's lyrics become apparent. The first verse talks about everyone trying to figure out how everything went wrong I.E. the destruction in New Orleans. Then they're caught between wishing how life was and how to go on in life. The last line of the verse reminisent of the government's failure and people trying to still have faith in them. The chorus is just a simple prayer for all the victims. The second verse shows how sympathetic people are towards the victims. People being apologetic and becoming "heroic-types" to help people get through the tough times ahead. The nightmare part is basicly that life got so horrid for them, nightmares were less scary than the actual world for them. The part about "How much will I find" is about if they stay and find there way, how much can they actually find in all the ruins. The last verse is a reflective piece about if there is any good in all the tragic events. Well that's my personal take on it. I originally thought this was just another love/breakup song but I was mistaken. I thought this because of the second verse "I know I would apologize..." When I thought this, I thought that verse was one of the most profound lyrics I've ever heard and could see someone who was in a breakup with someone. Someone that showed the person their true self and the person was caught in between who they wanted to be for the other someone. Also since the breakup was so heartbreaking, life was becoming terrible and nightmares were a nice comfort to their day time. Alas, I researched the song more and found out I was incorrect.
I later found out this song was originally written by Joseph Arthur. Sorry about the double post.
I can't believe not alot of people have posted on this song.. its simply amazing.. I didn't know it was about the Kathrina issue.. i also took it on more a spiritual "break up" end.. I didn't know it was by another artist as well.. im gona need to downlod that.. thanks treller !