"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.
How do you want it?
How does it feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
How do you want it? (yeah)
How do you feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
Love the way you activate your hips and push your ass out
Got a nigga wantin' it so bad I'm 'bout to pass out
Wanna dig you and I can't even lie about it
Baby, just alleviate your clothes, time to fly up out it
Catch you at a club, oh, shit you got me fiendin'
Body talkin' shit to me but I can't comprehend the meaning
Now if you wanna roll with me, then here's your chance
Doin' eighty on the freeway, police, catch me if you can
Forgive me, I'm a rider, still, I'm just a simple man
All I want is money, fuck the fame, I'm a simple man
Mr. International, player with the passport
Just like Aladdin, bitch, get you anything you ask for
It's either him or me, champagne, Hennessy
A favorite of my homies when we floss on our enemies
Witness as we creep to a low speed, peep what a ho need
Puff some mo' weed, funk, ya don't need
Approachin' hoochies with a passion, been a long day
But I've been driven by attraction in a strong way
Your body is bangin', baby, I love it when you flaunt it
Time to give it to daddy, nigga, now tell me how you want it
(Tell me how you want it)
How do you want it?
How does it feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
How do you want it? (yeah)
How do you feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
I'm livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
Tell me is it cool to fuck?
Did you think I come to talk? Am I a fool or what?
Positions on the floor, it's like erotic
Ironic 'cause I'm somewhat psychotic
I'm hittin' switches on bitches like I been fixed with hydraulics
Up and down like a roller coaster
I'm up inside ya, I ain't quittin' 'til the show is over
'Cause I'ma rider in and out just like a robbery
I'll probably be a freak and let you get on top of me
Get her rockin' knees
Nights full of Alizé, a livin' legend
You ain't heard about, these niggas play these Cali days
C. Delores Tucker, you's a motherfucker
Instead of tryin' to help a nigga, you destroy a brother
Worse than the others, Bill Clinton, Mr. Bob Dole
You're too old to understand the way the game's told
You're lame, so I gotta hit you with the hot facts
Once I'm released, I'm makin' millions, niggas top that
They wanna censor me, they'd rather see me in a cell
Livin' in hell, only a few of us'll live to tell
Now everybody talkin 'bout us, I could give a fuck
Like we the first ones to bomb and cuss
Nigga, tell me how you want it
How do you want it? (tell me)
How does it feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
How do you want it? (yeah)
How do you feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
I'm livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
Raised as a youth, tell the truth, I got the scoop
On how to get a bulletproof, lickin' shots off on the roof
Before I was a teenager, mobile phone, SkyPager
Gang rules, I'm livin' major, my adversaries
Is lookin' worried, they paranoid of gettin' buried
One of us gon' see the cemetery
My only hope is survive, if I was to stay alive
Gettin' high, see the demons in my eyes before I die
I wanna live my life and ball, make a couple million
And then I'm chillin', fade 'em all
These taxes got me crossed up and people tryin' to sue me
Media is in my business and they actin' like they know me (hahaha)
But I'ma mash out and peel out
I'm with a clique that's quick to whip that fuckin' steel out
Yeah, nigga it's some new shit, so better get up on it
When you see me, tell a nigga how you want it
How do you want it?
How do you want it?
How does it feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
How do you want it? (yeah)
How do you feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
How do you want it?
How does it feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
(How you want it?) How do you want it?
How do you feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game (yeah, my nigga, Johnny J)
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real (yeah)
How do you want it?
How does it feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
How do you want it? (tell me)
How do you feel? (girl, I-I-I-I)
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
How do you want it?
How do you feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
How does it feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
How do you want it? (yeah)
How do you feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
Love the way you activate your hips and push your ass out
Got a nigga wantin' it so bad I'm 'bout to pass out
Wanna dig you and I can't even lie about it
Baby, just alleviate your clothes, time to fly up out it
Catch you at a club, oh, shit you got me fiendin'
Body talkin' shit to me but I can't comprehend the meaning
Now if you wanna roll with me, then here's your chance
Doin' eighty on the freeway, police, catch me if you can
Forgive me, I'm a rider, still, I'm just a simple man
All I want is money, fuck the fame, I'm a simple man
Mr. International, player with the passport
Just like Aladdin, bitch, get you anything you ask for
It's either him or me, champagne, Hennessy
A favorite of my homies when we floss on our enemies
Witness as we creep to a low speed, peep what a ho need
Puff some mo' weed, funk, ya don't need
Approachin' hoochies with a passion, been a long day
But I've been driven by attraction in a strong way
Your body is bangin', baby, I love it when you flaunt it
Time to give it to daddy, nigga, now tell me how you want it
(Tell me how you want it)
How do you want it?
How does it feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
How do you want it? (yeah)
How do you feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
I'm livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
Tell me is it cool to fuck?
Did you think I come to talk? Am I a fool or what?
Positions on the floor, it's like erotic
Ironic 'cause I'm somewhat psychotic
I'm hittin' switches on bitches like I been fixed with hydraulics
Up and down like a roller coaster
I'm up inside ya, I ain't quittin' 'til the show is over
'Cause I'ma rider in and out just like a robbery
I'll probably be a freak and let you get on top of me
Get her rockin' knees
Nights full of Alizé, a livin' legend
You ain't heard about, these niggas play these Cali days
C. Delores Tucker, you's a motherfucker
Instead of tryin' to help a nigga, you destroy a brother
Worse than the others, Bill Clinton, Mr. Bob Dole
You're too old to understand the way the game's told
You're lame, so I gotta hit you with the hot facts
Once I'm released, I'm makin' millions, niggas top that
They wanna censor me, they'd rather see me in a cell
Livin' in hell, only a few of us'll live to tell
Now everybody talkin 'bout us, I could give a fuck
Like we the first ones to bomb and cuss
Nigga, tell me how you want it
How do you want it? (tell me)
How does it feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
How do you want it? (yeah)
How do you feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
I'm livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
Raised as a youth, tell the truth, I got the scoop
On how to get a bulletproof, lickin' shots off on the roof
Before I was a teenager, mobile phone, SkyPager
Gang rules, I'm livin' major, my adversaries
Is lookin' worried, they paranoid of gettin' buried
One of us gon' see the cemetery
My only hope is survive, if I was to stay alive
Gettin' high, see the demons in my eyes before I die
I wanna live my life and ball, make a couple million
And then I'm chillin', fade 'em all
These taxes got me crossed up and people tryin' to sue me
Media is in my business and they actin' like they know me (hahaha)
But I'ma mash out and peel out
I'm with a clique that's quick to whip that fuckin' steel out
Yeah, nigga it's some new shit, so better get up on it
When you see me, tell a nigga how you want it
How do you want it?
How do you want it?
How does it feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
How do you want it? (yeah)
How do you feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
How do you want it?
How does it feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
(How you want it?) How do you want it?
How do you feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game (yeah, my nigga, Johnny J)
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real (yeah)
How do you want it?
How does it feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
How do you want it? (tell me)
How do you feel? (girl, I-I-I-I)
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
How do you want it?
How do you feel?
Comin' up as a nigga in the cash game
Livin' in the fast lane, ah, for real
Lyrics submitted by dontwasteyoursong
How Do U Want It Lyrics as written by Tupac Amaru Shakur Johnny Lee Jackson
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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."
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
I love this.
It's basically about someone who fell for a player, we all know the type.
But now she's saw him for what he is.