"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.
angus hang up
you're not gonna win like this
losing your head and losing your grip
say your goodnights
and head out to the yard
out by the fence where the birch trees are
if words could explain
there wouldn't be this
unspeakable pain buried deep in your chest
get it out angus
get it out.
they planted a tree
the year you were born
but it grew in a V and it's still only short
pulled apart and stunted
but it's not like that's you
or it somehow represents
no, you'll straighten this out and stand tall till the end
get it out angus
get it out
pull it out...
get the roots
get it out.
now, dirt undernails
and a whiskey or two
and we're laughing out loud at all the shit we've been through
get it out angus
get it out.
you're not gonna win like this
losing your head and losing your grip
say your goodnights
and head out to the yard
out by the fence where the birch trees are
if words could explain
there wouldn't be this
unspeakable pain buried deep in your chest
get it out angus
get it out.
they planted a tree
the year you were born
but it grew in a V and it's still only short
pulled apart and stunted
but it's not like that's you
or it somehow represents
no, you'll straighten this out and stand tall till the end
get it out angus
get it out
pull it out...
get the roots
get it out.
now, dirt undernails
and a whiskey or two
and we're laughing out loud at all the shit we've been through
get it out angus
get it out.
Lyrics submitted by Swainler
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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,
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.