"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.
Give me some religion
Pass the wine 'cause this time
I can't hold it in like I always did
Give me some more T.V.
Make it loud make believe
I'm in desperate need for some company
Attention this is not a test
Help me get this moving target
Off my chest from my closest friends
Save me from this hopelessness
Talk some sense into this head
About this endless S.O.S.
Treading water with weights around my neck
A shipwreck of reckless accidents
Over boarded and I'm about to quit
At first I dive in this deep end
I'm feeling sick 'cause its sinking way too quick
Give me some forgiveness
And I'll try 'cause this time
If I hold them in I'll be coordinates
Give me some more music
I'll tend to read the lyrics
Like a bible, a gospel, a sing along
Attention this is not a test
Sling me short before I cry
Just makes my hands feel like they're made of bricks
Save me from this recklessness
Talk some sense into this head
About this endless S.O.S.
Treading water with weights around my neck
A shipwreck of reckless accidents
Over boarded and I?m about to quit
At first I dive in this deep end
I'm feeling sick 'cause its sinking way too quick
I can't listen to all the reasons
I just need one more thing to believe in
The one thing that will keep me breathing
I'll kiss the dirt when I hit dry land
Treading water with weights around my neck
A shipwreck of reckless accidents
Over boarded and I'm about to quit
At first I dive in this deep end
I'm feeling sick 'cause its sinking way too quick
Pass the wine 'cause this time
I can't hold it in like I always did
Give me some more T.V.
Make it loud make believe
I'm in desperate need for some company
Attention this is not a test
Help me get this moving target
Off my chest from my closest friends
Save me from this hopelessness
Talk some sense into this head
About this endless S.O.S.
Treading water with weights around my neck
A shipwreck of reckless accidents
Over boarded and I'm about to quit
At first I dive in this deep end
I'm feeling sick 'cause its sinking way too quick
Give me some forgiveness
And I'll try 'cause this time
If I hold them in I'll be coordinates
Give me some more music
I'll tend to read the lyrics
Like a bible, a gospel, a sing along
Attention this is not a test
Sling me short before I cry
Just makes my hands feel like they're made of bricks
Save me from this recklessness
Talk some sense into this head
About this endless S.O.S.
Treading water with weights around my neck
A shipwreck of reckless accidents
Over boarded and I?m about to quit
At first I dive in this deep end
I'm feeling sick 'cause its sinking way too quick
I can't listen to all the reasons
I just need one more thing to believe in
The one thing that will keep me breathing
I'll kiss the dirt when I hit dry land
Treading water with weights around my neck
A shipwreck of reckless accidents
Over boarded and I'm about to quit
At first I dive in this deep end
I'm feeling sick 'cause its sinking way too quick
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
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
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 think it's about how when people just use you and you have to put up with thier crap when you can barely put up with your own problems