"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.
Eventually I found the Museum of Installation
And with expectations high I walked down the stairwell
I was cold and my head had assumed a lightness following 3 light and bitters consumed at lunch. I was greeted by a row of abstract prints, all similar in design namely pink, yellow and green stripes on a variation, the sort of thing you'd see in Alec Stewart's lounge. At this point I spied Michael, the artist
"Hello there", he exclaimed, "nice to see you again"
Let me explain, I had met Michael through a mutual friend a few-years earlier-
"the piece is in three parts", he explained , parts two and three and are through the door"
"And part one?" I asked
"Why you're looking at it",
"Of course, I am", I laughed,
"I was just fooling around", I said beating a hasty retreat, "I'll see you in a minute"
The second room was brightly lit and was composed entirely of mirrors, everywhere I looked there was me: badly dressed, balding, the bright lights had the bizarre effect of making me appear unattractive - I moved quickly on
The third room was almost pitch, at the far end was a pocket sized TV on the which from which I could hear a commentary, as my eyes grew accustomed to the light I noticed two shadows in the far corners. I walked to the far end of the room - the piece was drawing me inward. The shadows were big industrial fans, the TV displayed a moving collage of pink, yellow and green stripes.
I lingered alone in the dark-space looking fruitlessly around trying think about what to say to Michael who waiting for me at the front-desk. Finally, I re-emerged blinking into the light, Michael was waiting thumbing through the visitors book and reading their comments.
"Michael, It's good, I love it", - not for the first time in my life my vocabulary was letting me down, Michael got up and led be back into the dark-room
"It's a pity you didn't come when the fans were on, the effect is one of walking through this door is of being in a wind tunnel. One girl was so shaken she literally was unable to walk to the far end"
"Why are the fans not on then"? I asked
"Complaints from the office upstairs, its so petty we're only open Wednesdays to Fridays 3 'til 6 yet they still complained to the landlord"
"What sort of company are they", I asked
"Architects",
"Right", remembering a meeting with an architect once, that would explain it
"The piece still works though", Michael; insisted
Yes, it does, I said, when are you exhibiting next?
And with expectations high I walked down the stairwell
I was cold and my head had assumed a lightness following 3 light and bitters consumed at lunch. I was greeted by a row of abstract prints, all similar in design namely pink, yellow and green stripes on a variation, the sort of thing you'd see in Alec Stewart's lounge. At this point I spied Michael, the artist
"Hello there", he exclaimed, "nice to see you again"
Let me explain, I had met Michael through a mutual friend a few-years earlier-
"the piece is in three parts", he explained , parts two and three and are through the door"
"And part one?" I asked
"Why you're looking at it",
"Of course, I am", I laughed,
"I was just fooling around", I said beating a hasty retreat, "I'll see you in a minute"
The second room was brightly lit and was composed entirely of mirrors, everywhere I looked there was me: badly dressed, balding, the bright lights had the bizarre effect of making me appear unattractive - I moved quickly on
The third room was almost pitch, at the far end was a pocket sized TV on the which from which I could hear a commentary, as my eyes grew accustomed to the light I noticed two shadows in the far corners. I walked to the far end of the room - the piece was drawing me inward. The shadows were big industrial fans, the TV displayed a moving collage of pink, yellow and green stripes.
I lingered alone in the dark-space looking fruitlessly around trying think about what to say to Michael who waiting for me at the front-desk. Finally, I re-emerged blinking into the light, Michael was waiting thumbing through the visitors book and reading their comments.
"Michael, It's good, I love it", - not for the first time in my life my vocabulary was letting me down, Michael got up and led be back into the dark-room
"It's a pity you didn't come when the fans were on, the effect is one of walking through this door is of being in a wind tunnel. One girl was so shaken she literally was unable to walk to the far end"
"Why are the fans not on then"? I asked
"Complaints from the office upstairs, its so petty we're only open Wednesdays to Fridays 3 'til 6 yet they still complained to the landlord"
"What sort of company are they", I asked
"Architects",
"Right", remembering a meeting with an architect once, that would explain it
"The piece still works though", Michael; insisted
Yes, it does, I said, when are you exhibiting next?
Lyrics submitted by bananahero
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
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”
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/
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.
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.