"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.
We don't sleep very much
These triggers ache for the touch
Where's the strength we relied on?
Fear alone, like a crutch
Maybe that's what keeps us up
All night with the light on
All these screams simulate
Lives that no longer take place
Can this be what we've become?
Paper thin, overweight
Pills to arouse or sedate
Still we don't know what we want
We can't let go
Can't you see?
To lose control
Is to be
Finally free!
First a spark
Then a flame
Now a fire
We explode
Into the darkest of nights
Disconnect
Cut the cord
Lines are dead
Now they'll know
With everything comes a price
And each day we are torn
Between the right and the wrong
Between life and convenience
Why lose sleep? Why complain?
There's always channels to change
It's like elective amnesia
As we grow older in this place
Let's just start over
Let's erase
What they've made
First a spark
Then a flame
Now a fire
We explode
Into the darkest of nights
Disconnect
Cut the cord
Lines are dead
Now they'll know
With everything comes a price
It could be minutes away
It could be hours or days
Before the bottom falls out
Before the ground gives way
Into this debt we are born
A debt we try to repay
And yet we blacken the sky
Smoke rising out of the flames
Now they'll know
First a spark
Then a flame
Now a fire
We explode
Into the darkest of nights
Disconnect
Cut the cord
Lines are dead
Now they'll know
With everything comes a price
(First a spark)
(Then a flame)
(Now a fire)
We explode
We explode
With everything comes a prince
(Disconnect)
(Cut the cord)
(Lines are dead)
We explode
We explode
These triggers ache for the touch
Where's the strength we relied on?
Fear alone, like a crutch
Maybe that's what keeps us up
All night with the light on
All these screams simulate
Lives that no longer take place
Can this be what we've become?
Paper thin, overweight
Pills to arouse or sedate
Still we don't know what we want
We can't let go
Can't you see?
To lose control
Is to be
Finally free!
First a spark
Then a flame
Now a fire
We explode
Into the darkest of nights
Disconnect
Cut the cord
Lines are dead
Now they'll know
With everything comes a price
And each day we are torn
Between the right and the wrong
Between life and convenience
Why lose sleep? Why complain?
There's always channels to change
It's like elective amnesia
As we grow older in this place
Let's just start over
Let's erase
What they've made
First a spark
Then a flame
Now a fire
We explode
Into the darkest of nights
Disconnect
Cut the cord
Lines are dead
Now they'll know
With everything comes a price
It could be minutes away
It could be hours or days
Before the bottom falls out
Before the ground gives way
Into this debt we are born
A debt we try to repay
And yet we blacken the sky
Smoke rising out of the flames
Now they'll know
First a spark
Then a flame
Now a fire
We explode
Into the darkest of nights
Disconnect
Cut the cord
Lines are dead
Now they'll know
With everything comes a price
(First a spark)
(Then a flame)
(Now a fire)
We explode
We explode
With everything comes a prince
(Disconnect)
(Cut the cord)
(Lines are dead)
We explode
We explode
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
The Night We Met
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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/
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.
To me, this song is one of RA's more easily interpreted songs. I think it's about our modern dependance on synthetic remedies for natural things, like taking a pill to lose weight. It basically states that we use them "Like a crutch", and therefore lose conttrol of our lives without them. That's what I think Tim means by "We can't let go...To lose control". Also, he makes tghe connection between "right and wrong" and "convience and life", as if modern conviences limit life, which in a way they do. This song also contains side effects of our overdependance, such as lack of sleep, mentioned twice. The main effect is what I see to be death. The lines "Disconnect, cut the cord, lights are dead". This entire message can be summarized into the line, "Now they'll know, with everything comes a price." This one line is pretty self-explanatory. It's an old proverb that says the truth that there are always going to be negative effects. Another great song.
@DerLicht The lyrics are wrong. Many of the lyrics you used in your interpretation were also incorrect. Give it some time and hopefully the lyrics will update with the correct line. <br /> <br /> "This entire message can be summarized into the line, "Now they'll know, with everything comes a price." This one line is pretty self-explanatory. It's an old proverb that says the truth that there are always going to be negative effects." <br /> <br /> A price isn't always negative effects. That is all. Well, unless you're fine with me correcting all your horrible grammar and your twisting of some lyrics. But, knowing humans, you would get pissed off with me doing that. So I won't, unless you tell me to!
Just wrote the lyrics after what I understood, there are a few pieces where I'm sure its pretty wrong. So please help me out, I'm from germany and so listening to english speaking people still gives me a bit of trouble sometimes.
i know this is a stupid question xD but can anyone explain to me what elective amnesia means cause i dont really know. also it would be cool if rise against made the oficial really lyrics so ppl wasnt confused xD
Putting it together, "Elective" means "chosen or choosable," and amnesia is what it's called when you forget things and lose memories severely. That said, Elective Amnesia basically just means "choosing to forget." Simple as that.
............OR
we are so wrapped up in these conveniences and fun of our toys and various material objects that we have become apathetic to real issues
So, here's my take, if you are interested:
Our humble narrator opens with a problem: people have become soft, weak, and mentally unsound. "We don't sleep very much...paper thin, overweight...Where's the strength we relied on?"
He proceeds to blame this on our television culture: "Glowing screens simulate, Ads that no longer take place...Each day we are torn between life and convenience..."
He suggests a solution: rebellion against the status quo, going off the grid, etc: "Let's just start over, let's erase what they've made!" "First a spark, then a flame, now a fire, we explode!" "Disconnect, cut the cord, lights are off, now they'll know; that everything has a price"
And in the last verse, he delivers us an admonition of what will happen if this sedentary lifestyle is maintained: "It could be minutes away, it could be hours or days, before the bottom falls out, before the ground gives way."
...at least, that's what I took away from it.
To me, this is a song that speaks of American culture and its addiction to materialism and consumerism. "Paper thin, overweight pill to arouse or sedate" refer to people who rely on medication for diet, sex, and relaxation and are blind to the real world around them. Despite the fact that all of these possessions are right at our fingertips, happiness and contentment still eludes us.
"To lose control is to be... finally free" is talking about whenever people are able to finally free themselves from our materialistic culture we will see the world the way that it really is. Once people are finally able to disconnect themselves from the system, then they can seek real change in the world and people will finally reject the injustices of the world. Yet another example, of why Rise Against's music transends just about everything else out there today.
I agree with the few just above me. I see the song as being about consumerism and the people who compare it to injection, I can see where you're coming from, but I think that's only a tiny part of this song.
"pills to arouse or sedate, still we don't know what we want" Again I'm going to mention the taking pills for everything bit, not necessarily the bad illegal kind.
"glowing screens simulate, (I don't know about you, but I hear "lives that no longer take place" but whatever...)" It just reminds me of the people who live in a virtual world, always gaming, or whatever they are doing, staying in their rooms, forgetting how to go outside and "live". Or people sitting in front of the tv "always channels to change"... I think this makes sense with the "Disconnect, cut the cord" parts.
Being caught "between life and convenience" also... we've created all of these handy dandy tools to communicate with he outside world, to enjoy ourselves, that we've forgotten that we can go out and see people or have fun and just step away from the electronic devices...
Again, back to the channels to change part: It seems to say that there's not point in thinking about anything, doing anything. I don't know how to explain really, just seems to be saying you can shut up and watch tv, whatever was bothering you, whether it was the government or whatever, at least you have all this tv to watch.... reading over that it's not what I want to say, but I can't think of another way...
Then it just goes in to breaking out of that little bubble you've put yourself in...
Ok... Yeah... basically...
I think the song is about the Financial crises in the world but mostly aboutthe united states, listen to it in that in your mind, it fits in my eyes. I don't wanna go into detail about it just listen to it or read the lyrics, you will see it fits a bit. but i know someone will come up with another way to look at it, maybe it will be better them mine just don't mock my ideas or anyone elses this site is not about the right or wrong its just to see how other people look at it or if you have no clue what the song is trying to say, thats all i have to say.
REAL LYRICS
We don't sleep very much These triggers ache for the touch Where's the strength we relied on? Fear alone, like a crutch, maybe that's what keeps us up all night with the light on
All these screams emulate Lives that no longer take place Can this be what we've become? Paper thin, overweight, pills to arouse or sedate Still we don't know what we want
We can't let go Can't you see? To lose control is to be...
Finally free! First a spark Then a flame Now a fire We explode into the darkest of nights disconnect cut the cord lines are dead Now they'll know with everything comes a price
And each day we are torn between the right and the wrong between life and convenience Why do we sleep? Why complain? There's always channels to change It's like elective amnesia As we grow older in this place Let's just start over Let's erase What they've made!
First a spark Then a flame Now a fire We explode into the darkest of nights disconnect cut the cord lines are dead Now they'll know with everything comes a price
It could be minutes away It could be hours or days Before the bottom falls out Before the ground gives way Into this debt we are born A debt we try to repay And yet we blacken the sky Smoke rising out of the flames Now they'll know...
First a spark Then a flame Now a fire We explode into the darkest of nights disconnect cut the cord lines are dead Now they'll know with everything comes a price (First a spark) (Then a flame) (Now a fire) We explode We explode With everything comes a prince (disconnect) (cut the cord) (lines are dead) We explode We explode
anyway, i still have trouble telling what it's about. from the actual title, you think it would mean something about choosing (elective) to forget everything (amnesia). but the lyrics dont always cover that, unless amnesia just refers to complete chaos in a person (we explode; lines are dead). other than that, i still am trying to interpret it. what yosh said about the reference to injection seems quite possible too, but not completely
my bad, just a few adjustments...<br /> <br /> We don't sleep very much<br /> These triggers ache for the touch<br /> Where's the strength we relied on?<br /> Fear alone, like a crutch,<br /> maybe that's what keeps us up<br /> all night with the light on<br /> <br /> All these screams, simulate,<br /> Lives that no longer take place<br /> Can this be what we've become?<br /> Paper thin, overweight,<br /> pills to arouse or sedate<br /> Still we don't know what we want<br /> <br /> We can't let go<br /> Can't you see?<br /> To lose control<br /> is to be...<br /> <br /> Finally free!<br /> First a spark<br /> Then a flame<br /> Now a fire<br /> We explode<br /> into the darkest of nights<br /> disconnect<br /> cut the cord<br /> lines are dead<br /> Now they'll know<br /> with everything comes a price<br /> <br /> And each day we are torn<br /> between the right and the wrong<br /> between life and convenience<br /> Why lose sleep? Why complain?<br /> There's always channels to change<br /> It's like elective amnesia<br /> As we grow older in this place<br /> Let's just start over<br /> Let's erase<br /> What they've made!<br /> <br /> First a spark<br /> Then a flame<br /> Now a fire<br /> We explode<br /> into the darkest of nights<br /> disconnect<br /> cut the cord<br /> lines are dead<br /> Now they'll know<br /> with everything comes a price<br /> <br /> It could be minutes away<br /> It could be hours or days<br /> Before the bottom falls out<br /> Before the ground gives way<br /> Into this debt we are born<br /> A debt we try to repay<br /> And yet we blacken the sky<br /> Smoke rising out of the flames<br /> Now they'll know...<br /> <br /> First a spark<br /> Then a flame<br /> Now a fire<br /> We explode<br /> into the darkest of nights<br /> disconnect<br /> cut the cord<br /> lines are dead<br /> Now they'll know<br /> with everything comes a price<br /> (First a spark)<br /> (Then a flame)<br /> (Now a fire)<br /> We explode<br /> We explode<br /> With everything comes a prince<br /> (disconnect)<br /> (cut the cord)<br /> (lines are dead)<br /> We explode<br /> We explode<br /> <br /> these sound perfect, but that "all these screams simulate" part is still a bit hard to make out
Thank God someone finally got the right lyrics XD It's been wrong everywhere else I see it...
this is honestly my favorite song on appeal to reason
what does elective amnesia means? xD cause when i translate elective to my language it just becomes another word i dont understand "elektiv" xD can some1 please explain it to me using plenty of words? :)
and BTW love this song and i think its about that u shouldnt be afraid to live the life u want. but im not sure. feel free to correct me
"Elective Amnesia" isn't really a commonly used phrase.<br /> <br /> "Amnesia" is a mental disease where a person forgets most or all of the details of their lives, including close friends, family, and sometimes even personal identity.<br /> <br /> "Elective" is a term that is usually used in medicine, for something you do voluntarily, because you want to, not because you need to. <br /> <br /> So "Elective Amnesia" would be intentionally purging your mind of your memories, identity, and so on.