"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.
She got a condition of the heart
A heart condition
So as a kid she had to adapt to smarter living
Not much room to rebel because of health
No drugs, no booze, just kiss and tell
Well known on the scene
Jail bait queen
Had the first baby barely eighteen
Father of the child was after one thing
When the daughter came the dad was unseen
It don't matter he ain't got a job
So she had to go to work and leave the baby with her mom
Second shift till the neck is stiff
But she worked it and built her own nest to live
Soon after that baby's daddy slash lazy bunk
With no cash he want to come over and crash
He want to play his part
So she let him move in to that garden level apartment
She knew better she did it anyways
Explain better when your trying to see some better days
The suns up catch those rays
Butterfly style who's got chase
[Chorus: x2]
But she still dreams after she woke
Tight hold on that hope
Sometimes it can seem so cold
Do what you got to do to cope
Two years later two months pregnant
Same daddy same broke ass situation
This time the doc said that her heart might break
Praise god that the job got her health benefits straight
She believes in the right to choice
But she loves baby girl and she wants a boy
Makes more now a days on the day-shift
Balance that with night class
Take some time and space and make it all fit
The apartment they now live in is overcrowded
Raised her voice and made her point
Told that boy go get employed
He put on his best shirt
Said he wasnt coming back till he gets work
She knew what that part meant
So she swept every piece out that apartment
Peace out keep out
Take the scenic route
Rather only have to feed three mouths
She adapts to everything know
And nobody asks what she dreams out
[Chorus: x2]
Little girl was the first reason to breathe
And the little man was the first man she believed in
She gotta live right and do right by self
She do for self she don't want your help
Afraid of being alone
But fear ain't enough to knock her off of that stone
Gonna make that home her home
With or without a man that she can call her own
Big boss at work is anxious
Continues to hand her the wrong advances
She passes the test
She knew the answers
Quit the job to go take a chance
With life
This is life we all scream
While we pray for dollars and we work for change
Its all the same, we all struggle
Sometimes you gotta say fuck you
When you smile and she doesn't return it
Give her room and don't disturb it
If it makes it hurt less to curse and fight
Go ahead and hate the world girl you've earned the right
[Chorus: x3]
A heart condition
So as a kid she had to adapt to smarter living
Not much room to rebel because of health
No drugs, no booze, just kiss and tell
Well known on the scene
Jail bait queen
Had the first baby barely eighteen
Father of the child was after one thing
When the daughter came the dad was unseen
It don't matter he ain't got a job
So she had to go to work and leave the baby with her mom
Second shift till the neck is stiff
But she worked it and built her own nest to live
Soon after that baby's daddy slash lazy bunk
With no cash he want to come over and crash
He want to play his part
So she let him move in to that garden level apartment
She knew better she did it anyways
Explain better when your trying to see some better days
The suns up catch those rays
Butterfly style who's got chase
[Chorus: x2]
But she still dreams after she woke
Tight hold on that hope
Sometimes it can seem so cold
Do what you got to do to cope
Two years later two months pregnant
Same daddy same broke ass situation
This time the doc said that her heart might break
Praise god that the job got her health benefits straight
She believes in the right to choice
But she loves baby girl and she wants a boy
Makes more now a days on the day-shift
Balance that with night class
Take some time and space and make it all fit
The apartment they now live in is overcrowded
Raised her voice and made her point
Told that boy go get employed
He put on his best shirt
Said he wasnt coming back till he gets work
She knew what that part meant
So she swept every piece out that apartment
Peace out keep out
Take the scenic route
Rather only have to feed three mouths
She adapts to everything know
And nobody asks what she dreams out
[Chorus: x2]
Little girl was the first reason to breathe
And the little man was the first man she believed in
She gotta live right and do right by self
She do for self she don't want your help
Afraid of being alone
But fear ain't enough to knock her off of that stone
Gonna make that home her home
With or without a man that she can call her own
Big boss at work is anxious
Continues to hand her the wrong advances
She passes the test
She knew the answers
Quit the job to go take a chance
With life
This is life we all scream
While we pray for dollars and we work for change
Its all the same, we all struggle
Sometimes you gotta say fuck you
When you smile and she doesn't return it
Give her room and don't disturb it
If it makes it hurt less to curse and fight
Go ahead and hate the world girl you've earned the right
[Chorus: x3]
Lyrics submitted by camkid2, edited by Doublewire
Dreamer Lyrics as written by Michael Mcgregor Antwoine Collins
Lyrics © TuneCore Inc., BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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”
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
my favorite song also from that CD..
being able to stand up for yourself no matter what life brings you and to be able to take care of what you have to without letting anything or anyone get in your way..
i love this song!