"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.
If this is what you think is honest
Honestly, I think I'm gonna freak out
This isn't where I wanna be, wanna be
I think I'll let myself out
Show me the door, oh
'Cause I'm leaving the way I came in
With the mess I made
Tonight will be the one to set it off
We had our lights on the town
Your eyes were smiling then
You left me hanging around with all your wack friends
You don't take me serious
Boy, you make me furious
Guaranteed we'll disagree
I found out finding out isn't the worst part
Don't believe it's just me
And I've found out
Do you really even have a clue?
You're not quite Satan, but I really think I hate you
We had our place in time, this is now that we spend
You've left me high and dry with all your stuck-up friends
You don't take me serious
Girl, you're just delirious
Guaranteed we'll disagree
I found out finding out isn't the worst part
Don't believe it's just me
And I've found out
Do you really even have a clue?
You're not quite Satan, but I really think I hate you
If this is what you think is honest
Honestly, I think I'm gonna freak out
This isn't where I wanna be, wanna be
I think I'll let myself out
Show me the door, oh
'Cause I'm leaving the way I came in
With the mess I made
Tonight will be the one to set it off
Tonight will be the one
I found out finding out isn't the worst part
Don't believe it's just me
And I've found out
Do you really even have a clue?
You're not quite Satan, but I, I
I found out finding out isn't the worst part
Don't believe it's just me
And I've found out
Do you even fucking have a clue?
You're not quite Satan, but I really think I hate you
You're not quite Satan, but I
You're not quite Satan, but I really think I hate you
Honestly, I think I'm gonna freak out
This isn't where I wanna be, wanna be
I think I'll let myself out
Show me the door, oh
'Cause I'm leaving the way I came in
With the mess I made
Tonight will be the one to set it off
We had our lights on the town
Your eyes were smiling then
You left me hanging around with all your wack friends
You don't take me serious
Boy, you make me furious
Guaranteed we'll disagree
I found out finding out isn't the worst part
Don't believe it's just me
And I've found out
Do you really even have a clue?
You're not quite Satan, but I really think I hate you
We had our place in time, this is now that we spend
You've left me high and dry with all your stuck-up friends
You don't take me serious
Girl, you're just delirious
Guaranteed we'll disagree
I found out finding out isn't the worst part
Don't believe it's just me
And I've found out
Do you really even have a clue?
You're not quite Satan, but I really think I hate you
If this is what you think is honest
Honestly, I think I'm gonna freak out
This isn't where I wanna be, wanna be
I think I'll let myself out
Show me the door, oh
'Cause I'm leaving the way I came in
With the mess I made
Tonight will be the one to set it off
Tonight will be the one
I found out finding out isn't the worst part
Don't believe it's just me
And I've found out
Do you really even have a clue?
You're not quite Satan, but I, I
I found out finding out isn't the worst part
Don't believe it's just me
And I've found out
Do you even fucking have a clue?
You're not quite Satan, but I really think I hate you
You're not quite Satan, but I
You're not quite Satan, but I really think I hate you
Lyrics submitted by onthefinishline
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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”
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,
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/
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
I would think that this song basically means that the guy isn't what she thought he was. It's showing that when they meet he was a good guy, but now he's done acting and is being himself and screwing everything up.
That's just what i think :)
You're not quite Satan, but I really think I hate you LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL
I like this band between juvenile lyrics like that and the unnecessary cursing, I have a hard time getting into them too much.
I love this song its soo true and yeah u can drink 6 cans of energy drink have the masssivest hyper high for hour. haha wen it showes wat the guy tattos mean its funny cuz that happened to my brother only he got i m gay n happy!!! he kept it though its on his back n this song is true cuz it really does happen n its better to hear both sides of any story no matter how bad or stupid it is but some dont i say this song is awesome.
With lines like "Don't believe it's just me", "If this is what you think is honest", and "I found out finding out isn't the worst part", I'm pretty sure there are suspicions of cheating involved. Just thought I'd mention that because no else touched on that yet.