"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.
So Divine,
Bird of Feather,
And the line,
You crossed crossed kept us together
As the candle burns,
At both ends it divides,
Suffering that's how it gives,
Like it is with you,
Torn between the two, now,
And it's hypnotising,
Taking quite a toll,
This time
But I'm only trying to make it better,
Is there no other way,
No other way to go,
And I'm only trying to make it better,
Is there no other way,
When your so far away,
I feel I'm paralysed
Reading the news in the mirror,
So far away,
Struggle with Fear and with the cost and career,
Is there no other way?
Bridging the gap with calling,
Don't fade away,
Tuning my ears to the sound of your tears,
Is there no other way?
But I'm only trying to make it better,
Is there no other way?
No other way to go?
And I'm only trying to make it better,
Is there no other way?
When your so far away,
I feel I'm paralysed
Of course she's wondering why,
Only three years old,
Dad's gone again,
Don't know when,
We'll all be back home together
Life gets harder, when,
That candle keeps burning inside,
Hypnotised,
Not the end of telling my heart,
Is torn between the two,
That keep dividing me,
Leaves me feeling like I'm paralysed
But I'm always trying to make it better,
Is there no other way?
No other way to go?
And I'm only trying to make it better,
Is there no other way?
No other way to go?
And I'm only trying to make it better,
Is there no other way?
No other way to go?
And this space between us,
Leaves me feeling like,
I'm paralysed
Bird of Feather,
And the line,
You crossed crossed kept us together
As the candle burns,
At both ends it divides,
Suffering that's how it gives,
Like it is with you,
Torn between the two, now,
And it's hypnotising,
Taking quite a toll,
This time
But I'm only trying to make it better,
Is there no other way,
No other way to go,
And I'm only trying to make it better,
Is there no other way,
When your so far away,
I feel I'm paralysed
Reading the news in the mirror,
So far away,
Struggle with Fear and with the cost and career,
Is there no other way?
Bridging the gap with calling,
Don't fade away,
Tuning my ears to the sound of your tears,
Is there no other way?
But I'm only trying to make it better,
Is there no other way?
No other way to go?
And I'm only trying to make it better,
Is there no other way?
When your so far away,
I feel I'm paralysed
Of course she's wondering why,
Only three years old,
Dad's gone again,
Don't know when,
We'll all be back home together
Life gets harder, when,
That candle keeps burning inside,
Hypnotised,
Not the end of telling my heart,
Is torn between the two,
That keep dividing me,
Leaves me feeling like I'm paralysed
But I'm always trying to make it better,
Is there no other way?
No other way to go?
And I'm only trying to make it better,
Is there no other way?
No other way to go?
And I'm only trying to make it better,
Is there no other way?
No other way to go?
And this space between us,
Leaves me feeling like,
I'm paralysed
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[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.
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.
To me it's a song about being away from friends and loved ones, possibly on tour...
It's about having work away for the benefit and future happiness of doing the 'right thing' for your family. Not wanting your wife/loved one being hurting and missing you so much.
It's about having work away for the benefit and future happiness of doing the 'right thing' for your family. Not wanting your wife/loved one being hurting and missing you so much.
i agree, this song depicts the emotional and physical impacts of touring/working away from a family. shows him talking about how trying to make the future better for his family involves drifting further away from them at the present time
Cog is an Australian Band and the album was recorded in America, taking the better part of a year I think. In this song i think they are asking themselves is it all really worth it, given the seperation from family
wow its amazing how everyone got the same thing from these lyrics lol