"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 can give it all on the first date
I don't have to exist outside this place
And dear know that I can change
But if stars, shouldn't shine by the very first time
Then dear it's fine, so fine by me
'Cause we can give it time, so much time
With me
And I can draw the line on the first date
I'll let you cross it
Let you take every line I've got
When the time gets late
But if stars, shouldn't shine
By the very first time
Then dear it's fine, so fine by me
'Cause we can give it time
So much time
With me
If you want me
Let me know
Where do you wanna go
No need for talking
I already know
If you want me
Why go
If you want me
Let me know
Where do you wanna go
No need for talking
I already know
If you want me
Why go
I can give it all on the first date
I don't have to exist outside this place
And dear know that I can change
But if stars, shouldn't shine
By the very first time
Then dear it's fine, so fine by me
'Cause we can give it time, so much time
With me
But if stars, shouldn't shine
By the very first time
Then dear it's fine, so fine by me
'Cause we can give it time
So much time, with me
I don't have to exist outside this place
And dear know that I can change
But if stars, shouldn't shine by the very first time
Then dear it's fine, so fine by me
'Cause we can give it time, so much time
With me
And I can draw the line on the first date
I'll let you cross it
Let you take every line I've got
When the time gets late
But if stars, shouldn't shine
By the very first time
Then dear it's fine, so fine by me
'Cause we can give it time
So much time
With me
If you want me
Let me know
Where do you wanna go
No need for talking
I already know
If you want me
Why go
If you want me
Let me know
Where do you wanna go
No need for talking
I already know
If you want me
Why go
I can give it all on the first date
I don't have to exist outside this place
And dear know that I can change
But if stars, shouldn't shine
By the very first time
Then dear it's fine, so fine by me
'Cause we can give it time, so much time
With me
But if stars, shouldn't shine
By the very first time
Then dear it's fine, so fine by me
'Cause we can give it time
So much time, with me
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
This song sounds like sex feels when you're in love.
This is the best comment I have ever read about a song.
As soon as I heard this song, I related to it.
I read it as getting physical with someone the first time you go out with them, and not caring OR expecting it to go anywhere after that. But being open to the possibility.
If things do progress, "we can give it so much time," even if "stars shouldn't shine by the very first time." From the girls' perspective, she draws these "lines" that she'll let him cross (she doesn't want to give it up and sleep with him in theory, but when it gets down to it she gives it up). She understands that it might not go anywhere after that, but they have time to see if there is a possibility.
Something like that, anyway. I like Rasio's idea of this song as a statement of the band, as well.
bingo. that's it, you're totally right with all you say. even that Rasio's idea is nice and witty as well :) I agree to all of it!
Interestingly placed on the album (as the last song). A duality? the lyrics being about whoever they're about, but also a statement for the band as a whole? "If you saw some promise in this album but it wasn't still rough around the edges, give us time"
woa. i absolutely love you for bringing light to this point of view. and i totally agree.
A duality makes perfect sense.
No pressure, don't rush, this feels right so we can take every step as fast or als slowly as we want.
I think this song is simply about being attractive to someone and questioning if crossing the line on the first date is appropriate. No pressure environment. I won't get mad if we don't get intimate but, if you want to then we can. Hence, "But if stars, shouldn't shine, By the very first time, Then dear it's fine, so fine by me, 'Cos we can give it time. And not letting clouded stipulations (giving it up on the first date) getting in the way of how you really feel. Hence, "If you want me then why go?"
I honestly love the song and can't take it off repeat. Very sensual without being raunchy. Awesome group, their voices are amazing. Not to mention the album, it's gold.
Sensual is a great word to describe this song.
Anyone else prefer the demo?
"let you take every line i've got". wonderful, beautiful, yet simple, phrase. and i agree with jewdiful. completely.
Firstly: It's beautiful song.
For me is one of the most magnicicent songs about sex, I've ever heard. We're livin' in sexually liberated times. Sometimes I'd like to believe that there are people for who sex is someting more than physical experience, that feelings just matters. That's I love the song.
To my mind the idea of song is truly simple.
"I can give it all on the first date" person which describe feelings in song says that he's ready to be close with his love. But he can just wait ("Cos we can give it time") if for the one one he love it just isn't proper time. It's because he belives this love is eternal. And indestructive. He just believes.
i like when they both sing "where do you wanna go" together
I like to imagine two people who knew each other for a long time but just admitted that they have feelings for each other. They feel like there's a deep connection and whatever happens in the present is almost irrelevant because they both feel the same way.
They're willing to give the other person whatever he/she wants. Both of them can be satisfied whether or not they hook up right away. There's this idea that going too fast at the beginning might not be good in the long run, and there's really no rush. But that's just something people say; it doesn't necessarily have to apply to the two of them (so they think). And even if things don't last or go sour, they will still have that moment/place and they can move on/change.
They both kinda want to give it up, but they still want the relationship to last, so they ask each other what they should do (even though they know how the other feels). So if we want each other... why go? Every line is so brilliant. I love everyone's interpretations.