"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 checks her pulse, gotta know if her heart's still beating
And the hospital's, not far if anything should happen here
She's bored in a week, big dreams but nothing material
And I refuse to believe that love is for the weak
I'm not vulnerable
[Chorus: ]
Hey lady, don't give up on me
Don't burn your heart out love
Till we're ash over seas
Hey lady, said I don't wanna fight
Like pretty girls need cowboys
I need you here tonight
She screams for more
More than just some blue eyed metaphor
And the trouble is, the trouble is, she's always searching
The hour's late, don't wanna hear that it's all gonna end soon
No I'm not crazy I'm in control, and all of my friends still know
[Chorus: ]
I'm on one knee, lover please
How can I put it more simply?
And I wait, for your invitation
And I'm so so so, so over waiting
I'm on one knee, lover please
How can I put it more simply?
[Chorus: ]
And the hospital's, not far if anything should happen here
She's bored in a week, big dreams but nothing material
And I refuse to believe that love is for the weak
I'm not vulnerable
[Chorus: ]
Hey lady, don't give up on me
Don't burn your heart out love
Till we're ash over seas
Hey lady, said I don't wanna fight
Like pretty girls need cowboys
I need you here tonight
She screams for more
More than just some blue eyed metaphor
And the trouble is, the trouble is, she's always searching
The hour's late, don't wanna hear that it's all gonna end soon
No I'm not crazy I'm in control, and all of my friends still know
[Chorus: ]
I'm on one knee, lover please
How can I put it more simply?
And I wait, for your invitation
And I'm so so so, so over waiting
I'm on one knee, lover please
How can I put it more simply?
[Chorus: ]
Lyrics submitted by Chinadollbaby423
Hey Lady Lyrics as written by Scott Lee Jason Clayton Stroope
Lyrics © BMG RUBY SONGS OBO ABSURD MUSIC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
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Great version of a great song,
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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.
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"she screams for more more than just some blue-eyed metaphor"
I love this. the blue eyed metaphor is that which represents every girls image of the "perfect man." I love that the girl in this song realizes it's not about the appearance, but the connection she longs to find with someone.
I agree with this entirely. As a guy who doesn't fit the "perfect man" image (average height, brown eyes, etc.) things haven't always worked out for me with the ladies. They have no problem being friends, but anything else seems out of the question to them.
I think that the girl thinks that there's so much more out there and she's giving up on the guy because she doesn't think that he's what she really wants and needs. But he's trying to tell her that he can be whatever she wants him to be.
I think the song means that he's trying to find or figure out if she still has love for him. he says love is for everyone, he's not an exception. He wants her to not give up on him and stick through it. He's done waiting and fighting for another girl, he's found his true and only girl.
I agree with robinsegg that the line... "she screams for more, more than just some blue-eyed metaphor" ...is great line. I love it too.
shescreamsformore-I guess you REALLY like this song, don't you (your sn) I have NO idea what that part means, sorry.
This song is so beautiful. I listened to it over and over again to get the meaning. The part about the hospital is not literal. The guy who is singing this song just wants the girl to know he loves her. She isn't sure if she can love him the way he loves her. The first time I listened to this song, I got the impression that this girl had been really hurt in past relationships, and maybe she is having trouble believing that this guy really does love her. I think her heart has been broken so badly that she is unsure if she can love the way she used to any more.
I'm pretty sure he says "more simply" not "forceibly" in the bridge. It makes more sense if it were more simply not forceibly.
agreed.
...pretty sure the lady in this song must have been hurt by him in the past. It's always about timing, which was completely off. When she wanted to give it her all - he didn't. When he finally realized he was ready - she wasn't. she then kept him around for selfish reasons. Always looking for the next best thing instead of realizing what she had because at that point she already knew what he was capable of. At the end of the day, if you don't like to be alone and you're not completely comfortable with your relationship - you are always searching and never truly pleased. "the lady" then took him for granted, could never truly let him go, got him to love her and then broke his heart.
This is not a romantic song, it's actually very sad with a lot of heart ache.
"she's bored in a week"
Don't give up on me because i haven't given up on you. Basis in all relationships that are on the rocks. One person is 100% in it and the other person is 50/50. Exactly like my last relationship...it sucks to be in it all the way and to keep telling her to hold on things will get better.
What does he mean "ash over seas"?
"Ash Over Seas" Means until they die. Some people that get cremated ask for there ashs to be thrown over seas. I love their choice of words.
I agree with Batwit. I think it's a brilliant use of words. he asks her not to "burn her heart out" which also implies that she's put so much effort into trying to make relationships work that she's so close to quitting completely. he wants to spend his life with her... till ashes are spread over seas. <br /> <br /> beautiful song.
they're right.