"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.
Well, I stood up
You know I had to keep moving
I couldn’t just sit here alone
In this one place
You called my name
But you know I never hear you
But there will always be
Some things that stay the same
Even in some crazy world
Of constant change
So I changed the locks
I’m not looking for love, now
Just another pretty face
That I could blame
If I get lost
You know it’s all the same, now
And I don’t really even care
To know her name
All the people in my past
Just stay the same
You know I don’t have time
To play a bit part in your life
Thinking you could change my mind
That’d be crazy
You’d be no friend of mine
Be rehearsing all the time
Thinking you could put our
Love upon some stage
So I stood up
Yeah, I had to keep moving
Trying to get a little blood
Back in my veins
We called it off
But I can’t sleep, now
Just dreaming every night
What might’ve been
You know I’ve been here before
And now I’m here again
But you know I don’t have time
To play a bit part in your life
Thinking you could change my mind
That’d be crazy
You’d be no friend of mine
Be rehearsing all the time
Thinking you could put our love
Upon some stage
You could come around here
Just knocking on my door
Keeping me up all night
Just begging me for more
And I’m not really sure
What we do these things for
So I stood up,
Yeah I had to keep moving
I couldn’t just sit here alone
In this one place
You know I had to keep moving
I couldn’t just sit here alone
In this one place
You called my name
But you know I never hear you
But there will always be
Some things that stay the same
Even in some crazy world
Of constant change
So I changed the locks
I’m not looking for love, now
Just another pretty face
That I could blame
If I get lost
You know it’s all the same, now
And I don’t really even care
To know her name
All the people in my past
Just stay the same
You know I don’t have time
To play a bit part in your life
Thinking you could change my mind
That’d be crazy
You’d be no friend of mine
Be rehearsing all the time
Thinking you could put our
Love upon some stage
So I stood up
Yeah, I had to keep moving
Trying to get a little blood
Back in my veins
We called it off
But I can’t sleep, now
Just dreaming every night
What might’ve been
You know I’ve been here before
And now I’m here again
But you know I don’t have time
To play a bit part in your life
Thinking you could change my mind
That’d be crazy
You’d be no friend of mine
Be rehearsing all the time
Thinking you could put our love
Upon some stage
You could come around here
Just knocking on my door
Keeping me up all night
Just begging me for more
And I’m not really sure
What we do these things for
So I stood up,
Yeah I had to keep moving
I couldn’t just sit here alone
In this one place
Lyrics submitted by carpeomniachica
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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,
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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/
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.
Just a fantastic song from a great band.
i keep playing this one repeat, its excellent