"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 know you're not a liar
And I know you could set fire
This day
Go ahead and make me look away
Strike me down
I am calling your lightening
Down from your dark hiding place
Go ahead and show me
Your face
Rain down
And destroy me
Rain down
And destroy me
Rain down
I mean no disrespect
I am simply very perplexed
By your ways
Why would you let us
Use your name?
Rain down
And destroy me
Rain down
And destroy me
Rain down
And destroy me
Rain down
And destroy me
Rain down
Rain down
Rain down
And I know you could set fire
This day
Go ahead and make me look away
Strike me down
I am calling your lightening
Down from your dark hiding place
Go ahead and show me
Your face
Rain down
And destroy me
Rain down
And destroy me
Rain down
I mean no disrespect
I am simply very perplexed
By your ways
Why would you let us
Use your name?
Rain down
And destroy me
Rain down
And destroy me
Rain down
And destroy me
Rain down
And destroy me
Rain down
Rain down
Rain down
Lyrics submitted by tavman, edited by stephanie1234, komaeda
Implicit Demand For Proof Lyrics as written by Tyler Joseph
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Knowing that the band comes from a Christian background, I think this song is the writer making an 'implicit demand for proof' that God exists/is listening/cares/etc. The writer is asking God for a sign that he is there, even if that sign is harmful to the speaker ("make me look away," "strike me down," "go ahead and show me your face," "rain down and destroy me"). The speaker is having trouble comprehending the ways of God and is willing to go to any length to reach understanding.
Okay so I agree with Katie mostly, but I think where he asks in the song "why won't you let us use your name?" He's literally asking God that. I may be wrong, because only Tyler and God knows his relationship, but I think maybe God called Tyler to write about him, but not use his name, because then people listen to it who normally wouldn't listen to things about God and like it, and then if they truly listen they realize a good portion of his songs are about Him. Listen to their song "Clear" and it really does clarify what Tyler's intentions are in writing.
I actually do think that it IS "why would you let us use your name." His name IS holy and the Jews even feared writing his name down in it's intirety. They would abbreviate his name and leave out certain letters, which, translated into English, would be YHWH. And, I'm also in agreement with ginnyboy about challenging God. It's a scary concept considering that Jesus himself quoted scripture, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord your God." to Satan when he was being tempted on the mountain. So, I will probably stop singing this song and only listen haha
@NoahBeardless I think it is "why won't you let us use your name" as if he is questioning why people can't use His name.
I couldn't remember if I had commented on this one or not, and upon rereading it, I would like to take back the part about loving when Tyler tests God. Their should be no joy in listening to someone do something so foolish. I do enjoy listening to his music and how he seems to speak about God from his heart with sincerity, but sometimes I wish I could just sit with him and share some things. I want to share the truth, and I know that we are all at different points on our journey with God, but he is influencing a bigger audience out there than me.
I think this song is fascinating, honestly. As a fellow religious person (although not Christian, as I know Tyler is) I can find a lot of meaning in the lyrics.
I don't think that Tyler is being particularly angry or angsty about/towards God in this song. To me, it doesn't sound like him denying God's presence at all - it's more of him feeling slightly lonely and isolated from God. He's asking for proof that he's not just talking to himself, and that there is a higher power listening to his prayers and such.
I relate to this a lot, despite the fact that I'm very solid and dedicated in my beliefs. I think there will always be times for a person of faith when you're facing a lot of difficulties in life, and you're desperate for a sign from deity to let you know that you're not alone in this.
I also sense frustration in Tyler's lyrics; he seems to be confused about some of the ways God is seen in the church, and wants answers directly from God himself instead of other Christian people. Again, this is very understandable, because sometimes you don't want the "wisdom" of others, but answers straight from the source.
I also get some of these feelings from the music itself in this song. It seems to go from a relatively simple piano line - like conversation, like he's speaking to God - to an intense synthesised part, showing his frustration in the situation he's in. Then, in the chorus, everything goes gentle: he asks God to rain down and destroy him. This proves how desperate he is for proof of God in whatever horrible situation he's in - he's willing to be destroyed just to know that his prayers are being answered. This could also be seen as an apology for the negative words he has said previously in the song.
Basically, I love this song a LOT. Everything about it is really beautiful.
It's a calling for God to reveal himself.
Even if it means that the singer has to die. He wants to have to look away from God's unseeable face while God smites him.
Just so that he can know that God exists. I think that the singer would have a smile on his face
I have to agree with Katie, this is a great song btw.
If it was "Why WOULD you let us use your name", it would make more sense, because God does let us use His name. We use it to get saved, pray, and in authority. I love this song and just yesterday I was listening to this song and singing along, outside, in the rain and thunder, and I chose to shut my mouth. I know God exists, and I'm not about to test him, although I love listening to joseph do it.
correction, i love listening to (tyler) do it.
@ginnyboy I think that what he meant was about the third commandment. "Thou shall not use the Lord's name in vain." He hears people saying it all the time, so why is it a sin?
@ginnyboy in pretty sure it's just a reference to the Jewish people not being "allowed" to say Yahweh and he's questioning why God forbid it in the first place.
Sakurawinds, using Gods name in vain is not saying it. Its not a sin to call upon His name. Its a sin to use it in vain. In a careless manner.
This is just what I thought of when first seeing the lyrics, but when he says "Why won't you let us use your name?" I was reminded of the Gospel of Mark. One theme in that book is that when people recognize Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God, He responds that they should tell know one. Example: Mark 8:29-30 "And He continued by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ." And He warned them to tell no one about Him."
There's no need to reiterate what everyone has said here. The song is obviously challenging God. I just want to that MAN is this song emotional. He feels alone and wonders if God is really there and it's come to the point that he's ready to die. He just wants to see God. It's beautiful and most of us have reached that point of "I know it would kill me to see your face, but I don't care anymore; I want to see you" at some time or other. I just find it really intense and relatable.
I think that this is a great pilot song. Get it? Haha. Anyways, it talks about what Tyler and his band represents and also what his whole band sings about: Asking God to show them a sign that He exists and loves them, even through depression.