"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.
Doncamatic
Down lowly
Make up for the time you've wasted
Come slowly
And claim back the boy you left behind
Close the white book
Unplug the brain from the game
'Cause it's time to wipe out
To the stars
Get on the fame
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, all played out
They said the memories
All fade out, fade out, all fade out
Tell me did you feel that?
Don't slow down
Even if it's only to escape
Just down, low down
Before somebody steals your place man
Close the white book
Unplug the brain from the game
'Cause it's time to wipe out
To the stars
Get on the fame
And the conversation's over
We're all played out, played out, all played out
(talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
You see the memories
All fade out, fade out, all fade out
(talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
Tell me did you feel that?
Doncamatic
Down lowly
Make up for the time you wasted
Come slowly
Claim back the boy you left behind and
Close the white book
Unplug the brain from the game
It's time to wipe out to the bar get on the fame
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, all played out
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
You see the memories
All fade out, fade out, all fade out
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, all auto tuned
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, played out, played out
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
Tell me did you feel that?
Down lowly
Make up for the time you've wasted
Come slowly
And claim back the boy you left behind
Close the white book
Unplug the brain from the game
'Cause it's time to wipe out
To the stars
Get on the fame
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, all played out
They said the memories
All fade out, fade out, all fade out
Tell me did you feel that?
Don't slow down
Even if it's only to escape
Just down, low down
Before somebody steals your place man
Close the white book
Unplug the brain from the game
'Cause it's time to wipe out
To the stars
Get on the fame
And the conversation's over
We're all played out, played out, all played out
(talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
You see the memories
All fade out, fade out, all fade out
(talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
Tell me did you feel that?
Doncamatic
Down lowly
Make up for the time you wasted
Come slowly
Claim back the boy you left behind and
Close the white book
Unplug the brain from the game
It's time to wipe out to the bar get on the fame
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, all played out
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
You see the memories
All fade out, fade out, all fade out
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, all auto tuned
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
The song is not the same when we're
All played out, played out, played out, played out
(Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me, talk to me)
Tell me did you feel that?
Lyrics submitted by VocalSoul, edited by 2DhatesWhales
Doncamatic Lyrics as written by Damon Albarn Daley
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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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”
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.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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/
I found this on YouTube. it was a comment from 'ltvg4g';
Damon in a recent interview:
"I just wanted to make a pop song; I just wanted to get back on the radio. I was just fucked off no-one was playing me on the radio. When Melancholy Hill came out in England Radio One said ‘Oh no we are trying to keep our core audience under thirty’ and I was like well ‘fuck you then!,’ and radio two said ‘Oh no this is way to edgy for our over 30 audience’, so I found myself totally barred from radio and I was like, that’s not fair."
in essence, everyone who's said it's about the music industry is pretty spot on. it's a generic pop song, but I think it still stands out & is a lot better than the rest. funny thing is, people don't always pay attention to the lyrics, & I think Damon knows that so this song is pretty clever.
I love this. I COMPLETELY get it. BUT! i think Damon shouldn't have to sell out just to be played on the radio. I'M NOT CALLING HIM A SELL OUT!!!! Gorillaz is FARRR from sell out.
That's such a shame! I wish that he wouldn't go solo... I love the Gorillaz. /:<br /> <br /> FML.
As a HUGE fan of Daley and Damon Albarn and his work, especially Gorillaz, it makes me sad to see them not get on the radios, and see Gorillaz go through (for lack of a better word) issues, and be helpless. Guess the only thing I can do is what Daley says, and dwnload them off iTunes :\