"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.
My job is done and I was helped by no one
I've taken what I need, shut the door when I leave
And what? What's in store for me?
Gonna listen and not preach
It will be erased, all mistakes are out
Get out...
Now I sit back and I watch, watch the sneak attack
I could've warned them of the plan, but what fun would that leave for men?
And what? What's in store for us all?
Gonna run until we fall
It will be erased, all mistakes are out
Get out
I've taken what I need, shut the door when I leave
And what? What's in store for me?
Gonna listen and not preach
It will be erased, all mistakes are out
Get out...
Now I sit back and I watch, watch the sneak attack
I could've warned them of the plan, but what fun would that leave for men?
And what? What's in store for us all?
Gonna run until we fall
It will be erased, all mistakes are out
Get out
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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.
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,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
The theme of "Get Out" is of an observer watching religion destroy his life and the world around him so he responds defiantly: "Oh, my god is gone and I, I was helped by no one. Oh, I, I've taken what I need. Shut the door, shut the door and I leave. What's in store for me? Gonna listen and not preach. There will be erased, all mistakes are out! Get out! Get out! Get out!" The fashion in which the singer pronounces "erased" as "e-race-ed" gives the song a blasphemous King James feel which makes me believe the lead singer may be addressing God directly but the line, "gonna listen and not preach" may mean he's directing his accusations toward local religious leaders such as a preacher or minister. Another possible interpretation of this song is along the lines of the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil" as Satan stands by and watches humanity's struggle in life: "oh, and I, now I sit back and watch, watch the sneak attack. Oh, I could have warned them of the plan. Oh, what fun would that leave for Man? What's in store for us all?"