"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.
Don't lie
Where have you been?
Your teeth are red
Your eyes are peppermints
Sailing out to sea with your new best friend
You don't like the way you live
So's you play pretend
But isn't it time you act your age?
You got a mortgage on your shoulders
Got a babe on the way
You shrug it out with your jackass grin
Thinkin' as soon as you clean up
You're gonna do it again
He says
I'm going to pleasure island
I don't wanna come home
The reverend says beware
He swears we're goin' to hell
We may be donkeys
But at least we have a tale to tell
Don't start with a slap on the wrist
I don't need no cease and assist
I ain't foolin' 'round
And it ain't no sin
So's you best be stepping back those ugly ultimatums
And never you mind what your old maid says
There ain't nothin' to complain
So long's you're earning bread
She's got a way of getting under your skin
She plants a little seed of doubt
The guilt blossoms
She says
If you're going to pleasure island
You can never come home
The problem with your kid: you can't say no
You can't take a little nibble
You got to lick the bone
I pushed off
I'm sailin' away
And I ain't lookin' back
Can't have you seein' me this way
This just might be my greatest mistake
Throwin' the future tense away
For the present's presence
My life was but a pleasure
But it sure was pleasant
He says
I'm going to pleasure island
I ain't never going home
I'll make an ass out of myself
Sooner than say I'm wrong
Yeah I'd sooner be fuckin' around in the mud
I'm going to pleasure island
I ain't comin' back home
Mama's thumpin' her bible
She swears we're going to hell
And papa's just jealous
He wants to come here as well
We may be donkeys
But at least we have a tale to tell
Where have you been?
Your teeth are red
Your eyes are peppermints
Sailing out to sea with your new best friend
You don't like the way you live
So's you play pretend
But isn't it time you act your age?
You got a mortgage on your shoulders
Got a babe on the way
You shrug it out with your jackass grin
Thinkin' as soon as you clean up
You're gonna do it again
He says
I'm going to pleasure island
I don't wanna come home
The reverend says beware
He swears we're goin' to hell
We may be donkeys
But at least we have a tale to tell
Don't start with a slap on the wrist
I don't need no cease and assist
I ain't foolin' 'round
And it ain't no sin
So's you best be stepping back those ugly ultimatums
And never you mind what your old maid says
There ain't nothin' to complain
So long's you're earning bread
She's got a way of getting under your skin
She plants a little seed of doubt
The guilt blossoms
She says
If you're going to pleasure island
You can never come home
The problem with your kid: you can't say no
You can't take a little nibble
You got to lick the bone
I pushed off
I'm sailin' away
And I ain't lookin' back
Can't have you seein' me this way
This just might be my greatest mistake
Throwin' the future tense away
For the present's presence
My life was but a pleasure
But it sure was pleasant
He says
I'm going to pleasure island
I ain't never going home
I'll make an ass out of myself
Sooner than say I'm wrong
Yeah I'd sooner be fuckin' around in the mud
I'm going to pleasure island
I ain't comin' back home
Mama's thumpin' her bible
She swears we're going to hell
And papa's just jealous
He wants to come here as well
We may be donkeys
But at least we have a tale to tell
Lyrics submitted by Passer-bye
Donkeys Lyrics as written by Ted James Stevens Matthew Ryan Maginn
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
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@[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.
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American Town
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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.
no way man, this song is TOTALLY about Club Dread! Coconut Pete! Pleasure Island!