"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've got a brand new pack of sharpies
i'm gonna use them to redraw everything
gonna make this into a world that i like living in
i'm gonna build us a castle, i'm gonna make you the queen
just let me know what you want and it's done
i will draw myself a little more handsome
but i'm gonna leave you just the way you are
let me look into your eyes, get some ideas for stars
i'm gonna draw you a little puppy that never gets old and always likes to play
i'm gonna draw you the biggest, softest bed i can imagine
would you rather have a hot air balloon or an airplane
just say the word and i'll get to work
i will black out the teeth of all the stupid jerks
but the ink will never touch your skin
because you are as beautiful as beautiful gets
and all the clocks will read 11:11
the alarms will have two positions they will be off, they will be off
your address will always be 7
i will be in 6 and we will never need to knock
there will be so many secret passageways
there will always be more food on our plates
we will sleep in and we will stay up late
you're the only thing that i'm not gonna change
i've got this brand new pack of sharpies
that i shoplifted today from the store
i'm gonna use them to redraw the whole world
for you and me, my dear, to explore
yeah, i've got this brand new pack of sharpies
the i shoplifted today from the store
and i'm gonna use them to redraw the whole world
for you and me, my dear, to explore
i'm gonna use them to redraw everything
gonna make this into a world that i like living in
i'm gonna build us a castle, i'm gonna make you the queen
just let me know what you want and it's done
i will draw myself a little more handsome
but i'm gonna leave you just the way you are
let me look into your eyes, get some ideas for stars
i'm gonna draw you a little puppy that never gets old and always likes to play
i'm gonna draw you the biggest, softest bed i can imagine
would you rather have a hot air balloon or an airplane
just say the word and i'll get to work
i will black out the teeth of all the stupid jerks
but the ink will never touch your skin
because you are as beautiful as beautiful gets
and all the clocks will read 11:11
the alarms will have two positions they will be off, they will be off
your address will always be 7
i will be in 6 and we will never need to knock
there will be so many secret passageways
there will always be more food on our plates
we will sleep in and we will stay up late
you're the only thing that i'm not gonna change
i've got this brand new pack of sharpies
that i shoplifted today from the store
i'm gonna use them to redraw the whole world
for you and me, my dear, to explore
yeah, i've got this brand new pack of sharpies
the i shoplifted today from the store
and i'm gonna use them to redraw the whole world
for you and me, my dear, to explore
Lyrics submitted by milkanddairy
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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”
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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.
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.
perfect.