"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.
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
Losing you will be the hardest thing to do
My heart is open like an open book, and yours is closed
I never thought it would be like this
So how do we move on?
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
Remember long walks, sandy beaches, all those swims together?
We were like a merry-go-round going around in circles
You said we'll always be together
But you weren't telling the truth
You were telling lies
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
Pick up the phone, give me a call, and talk to me
It shouldn't have been like this
I can't take it no more
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
Losing you will be the hardest thing to do
My heart is open like an open book, and yours is closed
I never thought it would be like this
So how do we move on?
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
Remember long walks, sandy beaches, all those swims together?
We were like a merry-go-round going around in circles
You said we'll always be together
But you weren't telling the truth
You were telling lies
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
Pick up the phone, give me a call, and talk to me
It shouldn't have been like this
I can't take it no more
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
I don't wanna lose you tonight
You're the only thing that matters
I don't wanna lose you this way
Just need your love
I don't wanna lose you tonight
Lyrics submitted by cjohnson
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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.
In "Losing You", Jan Terri expresses her never-ending love for her unnamed lover, who decides to break up their relationship. It has been speculated in past years as to why he had left her. Some say that her hectic travel-ridden schedule (as implied by her music video) prevented the couple from developing genuine intimacy. Others claim that the breakup was due to Terri's horrible fashion sense (she uses her belt as a bra in the video). But from analyzing her poem in depth, it can be concluded that Terri's lover was simply fed up with her nagging, which is apparent from the fact that she repeats the chorus, "I don't wanna lose you tonight / You're the only thing that matters / I don't wanna lose you this way / Just need your love" a total of ten times throughout her song.
Fans of Imogen Heap will immediately find the parallels between "Losing You" and Heap's single, "Hide and Seek." Both songs deal with the incredible hardships that come with a love relationship. Yet, while Heap utilizes a Vocoder to enhance her voice, which consequently coats her song with a sense of artificiality, Terri refrains from using such tools. Instead, Terri retains the natural authenticity of her heartfelt emotions, accentuating the tragedy of her desperation to win back the heart of the man whom she loved.
I don't wanna wose you tonight You'we the only thing that mattews I don't wanna wose you this way Just need your wuuuuuvvvvvvv