"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.
Who would've known that I could conquer your heart
by reflecting in someone else.
And who would've thought that I could
comfort your heart, when I can't recognize myself.
I know how she speaks and how she moves
when she doesn't know what to say
Cause her emotions carry her away.
I watch it from my rooftop, every night.
And when I go to sleep she holds my head in her arms
And she makes sure that nothing will tear us apart
And then I steal a lock of her hair, and open up my eyes
I will follow you, you will be my main direction
I study you until I get your
Everything you do is a gem in my collection
I follow you until I get your perfection
Who would've known that after hunting you down
She would leave all the bones for me.
And who would've thought that she could leave someone like you
She left a part of herself.
You know how I speak, how I try to imitate
the way she lays her head on your shoulder
And you got nothing more to say
down to every detail I won't miss a day
Cause I know all her lines, her favorite things
And how her restless mind keeps her up in the night until the light
Will come and stand here try to catch her eyes
I will follow you, you will be my main direction
I study you until I get your
Everything you do is a gem in my collection
I follow you until I get your perfection
Every step I follow you in the wrong direction
I study you until I will get your perfection
Everything you do is put into my collection
I follow you until I will get your perfection
Who would've known that I could conquer your heart
And who would've thought that I could comfort your heart
I will follow you, you will be my main direction
I study you until I get your
Everything you do is a gem in my collection
I follow you until I get your perfection
You are perfection
You are perfection
by reflecting in someone else.
And who would've thought that I could
comfort your heart, when I can't recognize myself.
I know how she speaks and how she moves
when she doesn't know what to say
Cause her emotions carry her away.
I watch it from my rooftop, every night.
And when I go to sleep she holds my head in her arms
And she makes sure that nothing will tear us apart
And then I steal a lock of her hair, and open up my eyes
I will follow you, you will be my main direction
I study you until I get your
Everything you do is a gem in my collection
I follow you until I get your perfection
Who would've known that after hunting you down
She would leave all the bones for me.
And who would've thought that she could leave someone like you
She left a part of herself.
You know how I speak, how I try to imitate
the way she lays her head on your shoulder
And you got nothing more to say
down to every detail I won't miss a day
Cause I know all her lines, her favorite things
And how her restless mind keeps her up in the night until the light
Will come and stand here try to catch her eyes
I will follow you, you will be my main direction
I study you until I get your
Everything you do is a gem in my collection
I follow you until I get your perfection
Every step I follow you in the wrong direction
I study you until I will get your perfection
Everything you do is put into my collection
I follow you until I will get your perfection
Who would've known that I could conquer your heart
And who would've thought that I could comfort your heart
I will follow you, you will be my main direction
I study you until I get your
Everything you do is a gem in my collection
I follow you until I get your perfection
You are perfection
You are perfection
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
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”
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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/
This song reminds me a lot of the novel "Rebecca".