"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.
My friends all tell me I'm a day late
To birthdays, anniversaries and anything with cake
I want to go but they all tell me to wait,
Because I never look both ways
And I've been thinking 'bout you day and night
And every now and then I think I might have
Found the words to say,
But it don't matter anyway
'Cause every time I look into your eyes
I get these feelings like I'm so high
That should be ok but Im just so afraid of heights
And I gotta climb...
These mountains in my mind
These mountains inside
I've got to make my way to the other side
I rememeber the time outside your house
The words came easy and you kissed me on the mouth
It was so easy in the dark,
But now I don't know where to start
And 'Ive been thinking 'bout you day and night
And every now and then I think I might have
Found just what to do
To make my way to you
But every time I look into your eyes i get these feelings like I'm so high
And you see that should be ok, but I'm just so afraid of heights
And I gotta climb....
These mountains in my mind
Oh these mountains built up inside
I've got to make my way to the other side
And I know there's another side to you and I
To you and I
And that's where I wanna be
And I know that it might take some time
Oh but I know
It's always better on the other side.
To birthdays, anniversaries and anything with cake
I want to go but they all tell me to wait,
Because I never look both ways
And I've been thinking 'bout you day and night
And every now and then I think I might have
Found the words to say,
But it don't matter anyway
'Cause every time I look into your eyes
I get these feelings like I'm so high
That should be ok but Im just so afraid of heights
And I gotta climb...
These mountains in my mind
These mountains inside
I've got to make my way to the other side
I rememeber the time outside your house
The words came easy and you kissed me on the mouth
It was so easy in the dark,
But now I don't know where to start
And 'Ive been thinking 'bout you day and night
And every now and then I think I might have
Found just what to do
To make my way to you
But every time I look into your eyes i get these feelings like I'm so high
And you see that should be ok, but I'm just so afraid of heights
And I gotta climb....
These mountains in my mind
Oh these mountains built up inside
I've got to make my way to the other side
And I know there's another side to you and I
To you and I
And that's where I wanna be
And I know that it might take some time
Oh but I know
It's always better on the other side.
Lyrics submitted by melodymaker
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.