"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.
it was just a cold day
no day
for laying in the field
it was just one star
far too far
that made him turn away
bland boy, no toy
to a man like himself
he was just no one,
someone who needed something else
time left room
for me to reconsider
what had been winter
and where the grass did grow
time left room
for me to reconsider
who and what i knew
and where that boy did go
first kiss neither hit or miss
its blurs from the quickness it keeps
first love, too much at once for that troubled boy to take
new lake for sanity sake
he swam and dove too deep
gray skies green eyes
they change with the growing grass
time left room
for me to reconsider
what had been winter
and where the grass did grow
o-o-oh o-o-oh oh oh
time left rooom
for me to reconsider
who and what i knew
and where that boy did go
o-o-oh o-o-oh oh oh
loss of what is so precious
confused with this scene of real
i'm faced with no name
i'm placed without space
it's useless
boy don't you see
time left room
for me to reconsider
what had been winter
and where the grass did grow
o-o-oh o-o-oh oh oh
time left rooom
for me to reconsider
who and what i knew
and where that boy did go
o-o-oh o-o-oh oh oh
no chance
no turning back
the lake is but his dream
one wish one if that kiss to return to those wanting lips
no day
for laying in the field
it was just one star
far too far
that made him turn away
bland boy, no toy
to a man like himself
he was just no one,
someone who needed something else
time left room
for me to reconsider
what had been winter
and where the grass did grow
time left room
for me to reconsider
who and what i knew
and where that boy did go
first kiss neither hit or miss
its blurs from the quickness it keeps
first love, too much at once for that troubled boy to take
new lake for sanity sake
he swam and dove too deep
gray skies green eyes
they change with the growing grass
time left room
for me to reconsider
what had been winter
and where the grass did grow
o-o-oh o-o-oh oh oh
time left rooom
for me to reconsider
who and what i knew
and where that boy did go
o-o-oh o-o-oh oh oh
loss of what is so precious
confused with this scene of real
i'm faced with no name
i'm placed without space
it's useless
boy don't you see
time left room
for me to reconsider
what had been winter
and where the grass did grow
o-o-oh o-o-oh oh oh
time left rooom
for me to reconsider
who and what i knew
and where that boy did go
o-o-oh o-o-oh oh oh
no chance
no turning back
the lake is but his dream
one wish one if that kiss to return to those wanting lips
Lyrics submitted by astheyfell
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
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
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.
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.