"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.
It’s never too late to admit that you were wrong, when the journey has made you wise enough to know the time has come, to end the tradition.
We came this far, to admit that we were wrong and the time we wasted, has made us who we are.
Though the recovery has just begun, it will one day be complete,
We are forever in transition, blazing paths of radical change.
With our interest in good intentions, satisfied.
We leave with peace even though we failed, knowing at least we tried.
Lessons learned, perspective earned, clear sight on the highway drive at night.
A bigger picture is on the horizon, and the view is easy on the eyes.
It was what it was but it will be no more.
From now on we are only going forward (without you).
For no more will we invest our time.
Repairing unions or rekindling old fires.
The highway was once the only thing between us, but it is all that connects us now.
Sever all ties! Cut your losses and run!
One thing that we have learned, from the cycle of repetition,
Patterns of negative thought always bring you back to the same old places.
No more will we waste our time, with those who have lost touch
No more will we reach out to them, or let them come to us
Let the void of your presence, be the voice that speaks in your turn
And let the ashes of the past be sifted by those who let it burn.
No more will we gather, on occasion in the same place
No more will we continue to recognize a common faith
No more will we travel, long distances to maintain our bond
No more will we unite as one, this is the end of tradition.
At opposite ends of a void, the highways divide us forevermore!
We came this far, to admit that we were wrong and the time we wasted, has made us who we are.
Though the recovery has just begun, it will one day be complete,
We are forever in transition, blazing paths of radical change.
With our interest in good intentions, satisfied.
We leave with peace even though we failed, knowing at least we tried.
Lessons learned, perspective earned, clear sight on the highway drive at night.
A bigger picture is on the horizon, and the view is easy on the eyes.
It was what it was but it will be no more.
From now on we are only going forward (without you).
For no more will we invest our time.
Repairing unions or rekindling old fires.
The highway was once the only thing between us, but it is all that connects us now.
Sever all ties! Cut your losses and run!
One thing that we have learned, from the cycle of repetition,
Patterns of negative thought always bring you back to the same old places.
No more will we waste our time, with those who have lost touch
No more will we reach out to them, or let them come to us
Let the void of your presence, be the voice that speaks in your turn
And let the ashes of the past be sifted by those who let it burn.
No more will we gather, on occasion in the same place
No more will we continue to recognize a common faith
No more will we travel, long distances to maintain our bond
No more will we unite as one, this is the end of tradition.
At opposite ends of a void, the highways divide us forevermore!
Lyrics submitted by PhantasmP
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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.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
I've always thought of this as a sequel to A Meeting Place and Time. It seems a lot of different people are mentioned in this song. Who knows who they are? Could be other bands, or it could even be old band members. David Gold is the only one who knows.