"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.
These shadows stroll
With a mind of their own
Onto each sidewalk
Safe from cars racing home
To each our own
Found in places unknown
Where we watch from the pedestals
We're perched on looking down
On everyone around
For the first time
I am alive
With your cheek bone
Pressed against mine
Between the silence
And you're breathing
I find my words
Across your ceiling
For the last time
I'll kiss you goodnight
We'll start again
Just as soon as
There's no sun light
I am numb with the thought of you
Completely numb
At the thought of you
In time, we'll learn
How to make it alone
But right now, I can't
Seem to distance myself
I've found in you
A place I can't explain
A place where I know
That I will be with you
'Til there's no air left to breathe in
With a mind of their own
Onto each sidewalk
Safe from cars racing home
To each our own
Found in places unknown
Where we watch from the pedestals
We're perched on looking down
On everyone around
For the first time
I am alive
With your cheek bone
Pressed against mine
Between the silence
And you're breathing
I find my words
Across your ceiling
For the last time
I'll kiss you goodnight
We'll start again
Just as soon as
There's no sun light
I am numb with the thought of you
Completely numb
At the thought of you
In time, we'll learn
How to make it alone
But right now, I can't
Seem to distance myself
I've found in you
A place I can't explain
A place where I know
That I will be with you
'Til there's no air left to breathe in
Lyrics submitted by BleedorBreathe
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[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.
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.
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.
i cant believe nobody has commented..this song is amazing. i believe that its about a summer romance and he feels his best lying next to her.
In time, we'll learn How to make it alone But right now, I can't Seem to distance myself
I've found in you A place I can't explain A place where I know That I will be with you 'Til there's no air left to breathe in
this is my favorite part because it seems as if he is saying that he cant seem to forget her and they had a summer romance of some sort somewhere, and even though summer has ended, they'll always be together at that certain place, like the ghost of their relationship will stay there.