"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.
Some days I wish the world away
I wanna wash away the subtleties, burn away the Christmas tree
Best friends sometimes steal the gifts they give
He used to chase me round from London town
Christmas Day, New York, Paris, L.A., some day
He's an angel with a dirty face
Sneaks away to smoke a girt
What a break from a brutal life
Stole everything but genius
What's he like? Is he real? Hold on
I don't think I want to know the answers
Often think with a drink in my hand
That you knew your words would be appreciated some way
Some days I wish the world away
I wanna wash away the subtleties, burn away the Christmas tree
Best friends sometimes steal the gifts they give
He used to chase me round from London town
Christmas Day, New York, Paris, L.A., some day
Christmas Day we were the best of friends
Remember we fucked up the gravy
Hadn't seen such a smile on your face
Since we harmonized a little Bing Crosby
10 Days later your girl says yes
I can't live without you, you're my man
But the Christmas song just left your head
And you flew away with a broken wing, your way
Some days, I wish the world away
I wanna wash away the subtleties, burn away the Christmas tree
Best friends sometimes steal the gifts they give
He used to chase me round from London town
Christmas Day, New York, Paris, L.A., some day
Disarray, you just disappeared
Now I find out you're a super hero reborn
All your life was to be special and adored
Children need you as you are
Fighting evil with your supersonic sword
Some days, I wish the world away
I wanna wash away the subtleties, burn away the Christmas tree
Best friends sometimes steal the gifts they give
He used to chase me round from London town
Christmas Day, New York, Paris, L.A., some day
I wanna wash away the subtleties, burn away the Christmas tree
Best friends sometimes steal the gifts they give
He used to chase me round from London town
Christmas Day, New York, Paris, L.A., some day
He's an angel with a dirty face
Sneaks away to smoke a girt
What a break from a brutal life
Stole everything but genius
What's he like? Is he real? Hold on
I don't think I want to know the answers
Often think with a drink in my hand
That you knew your words would be appreciated some way
Some days I wish the world away
I wanna wash away the subtleties, burn away the Christmas tree
Best friends sometimes steal the gifts they give
He used to chase me round from London town
Christmas Day, New York, Paris, L.A., some day
Christmas Day we were the best of friends
Remember we fucked up the gravy
Hadn't seen such a smile on your face
Since we harmonized a little Bing Crosby
10 Days later your girl says yes
I can't live without you, you're my man
But the Christmas song just left your head
And you flew away with a broken wing, your way
Some days, I wish the world away
I wanna wash away the subtleties, burn away the Christmas tree
Best friends sometimes steal the gifts they give
He used to chase me round from London town
Christmas Day, New York, Paris, L.A., some day
Disarray, you just disappeared
Now I find out you're a super hero reborn
All your life was to be special and adored
Children need you as you are
Fighting evil with your supersonic sword
Some days, I wish the world away
I wanna wash away the subtleties, burn away the Christmas tree
Best friends sometimes steal the gifts they give
He used to chase me round from London town
Christmas Day, New York, Paris, L.A., some day
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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/
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
These are wrong, but I give you props for getting as much as you did. Scott is hard to hear clear sometimes.
Here are the real lyrics:
Somedays, I wish the world away.
I want to was away the subtlteies. And burn away the Christmas Tree. Best friends (Like Michael)sometimes steal the gifts they get. He used to chae me 'round from London town. Christmas Day. New York, Paris, L.A. Someday
He's an angel witha dirty face. Sneaks away to smoke a girt. (cigarette) What a break from a brutal life. Stole everything but genius. What's he like? Is he real? Hold on. I don't think I want to know the answers. Often think with a drink in my hand that you would know your words would be appreciated someway. (Arch Angel)
Somedays, I wish the world away.
I want to was away the subtlteies. And burn away the Christmas Tree. Best friends (Like Michael)sometimes steal the gifts they get. He used to chae me 'round from London town. Christmas Day. New York, Paris, L.A. Someday
Christmas Day we were the best of friends. Remember we fucked up the gravy? (lumpy) Hadn't seen such a smile on your face since we harmonized a little Bing Crosby. 10 days later your girl says "yes". I can't live without you. You're my man. (daddy) But the Christmas song just left your head. And you flew away with a broken wing, your way. (Arch Angel)
Somedays, I wish the world away.
I want to was away the subtlteies. And burn away the Christmas Tree. Best friends (Like Michael)sometimes steal the gifts they get. He used to chae me 'round from London town. Christmas Day. New York, Paris, L.A. Someday
Disarray, you just disappeared. Now I find out you're a super hero reborn. All your life was to be special and adored. Children need you as you are. Fighting evil with your super sonic sword.
Somedays, I wish the world away.
I want to was away the subtlteies. And burn away the Christmas Tree. Best friends (Like Michael)sometimes steal the gifts they get. He used to chae me 'round from London town. Christmas Day. New York, Paris, L.A. Someday
I spelt a few things wrong from typing fast,but you should fix and repost those.
I spelt a few things wrong from typing fast,but you should fix and repost those.
yeah, I can't tell you how many times I had to listen to it and alter the EQ to get that much. Were the lyrics on the jacket (Deluxe Version)? I got my copy of "Happy" In Galoshes from iTunes, but don't see a digital booklet for it.
Sounds like it's about memories of his brother, and how he was supposed to be a brother and a father before his life was cut short.