"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.
I can't believe what you have done to me
I can't believe what you tried to pretend to be
I can't waste time and ask you why I say to you
"Eat shit and die"
Fuck you to everyone who thinks I'm a joke
Fuck you to every girl and every word you spoke
For every kid who has pain that he could do without
I say to you, "Don't just let it out"
Another day, another headache
Another heart and another break
I feel rejected by everything I see
I can't tell anyone I'm so fucking crazy
And when I think I've had enough
And when I think I should give up
I see your picture on my shelf
And I lie to myself and I smile
Pretend it's okay, we're friends again
Somebody please take me away from this place
Fuck you to everyone who has believed in me
I look in the mirror and I hate what I see
I want to hurt myself more than you ever would
And I know I hate myself more than you ever could
And I don't want to see your face
But let's pretend that I'm okay
I think I'm going to off myself pretty soon
Until then, we'll say that I'm okay
You laugh a lot, and oh, it's a joke
If you ever thought this way
Okay, your eyes ask mine if I'm doing alright
They always lie and say that I'm okay
She said, "I like to start with a broken heart
An rebuild to failure without memory"
We'll bullshit and if I like you a bit
All you'll get's a blank stare from me
You drag me down
And you kick me around
And we'll pretend that I'm fine
So I don't run
You won't admit
That you're a piece of shit
Until you see that
I was always the one
Smile, pretend it's okay
We're friends again
You've left me dying
And I'll never be right
Smile, pretend it's okay
We're friends again
You've forced me
Into saying goodnight
I can't believe what you tried to pretend to be
I can't waste time and ask you why I say to you
"Eat shit and die"
Fuck you to everyone who thinks I'm a joke
Fuck you to every girl and every word you spoke
For every kid who has pain that he could do without
I say to you, "Don't just let it out"
Another day, another headache
Another heart and another break
I feel rejected by everything I see
I can't tell anyone I'm so fucking crazy
And when I think I've had enough
And when I think I should give up
I see your picture on my shelf
And I lie to myself and I smile
Pretend it's okay, we're friends again
Somebody please take me away from this place
Fuck you to everyone who has believed in me
I look in the mirror and I hate what I see
I want to hurt myself more than you ever would
And I know I hate myself more than you ever could
And I don't want to see your face
But let's pretend that I'm okay
I think I'm going to off myself pretty soon
Until then, we'll say that I'm okay
You laugh a lot, and oh, it's a joke
If you ever thought this way
Okay, your eyes ask mine if I'm doing alright
They always lie and say that I'm okay
She said, "I like to start with a broken heart
An rebuild to failure without memory"
We'll bullshit and if I like you a bit
All you'll get's a blank stare from me
You drag me down
And you kick me around
And we'll pretend that I'm fine
So I don't run
You won't admit
That you're a piece of shit
Until you see that
I was always the one
Smile, pretend it's okay
We're friends again
You've left me dying
And I'll never be right
Smile, pretend it's okay
We're friends again
You've forced me
Into saying goodnight
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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”
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.
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.