"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.
Written in graffiti on a bridge in a park
Do you ever get the feeling
That you're missing the mark?
It's so cold, it's so cold
It's so cold, it's so cold
Written up in marker on a factory sign
I struggle with the feeling
That my life isn't mine
It's so cold, it's so cold
It's so cold, it's so cold
See the arrow that they shot trying
To tear us apart took the fire from my belly and
The beat from my heart
Still I won't let go
Still I won't let go
You, ooh, ooh
Oh you, use your heart as a weapon
And it hurts like heaven
On every street, every car, every surface in nature
And at the streets are rising and you'd rather sing
Don't let them take control
No, we won't let 'em take control
Yes, I feel a little bit nervous
Yes, I feel nervous and I cannot relax
I'm coming 'round to get us
I'm coming 'round when they don't know the facts
So on a concrete canvas and a glow in the dark
On a concrete canvas, I will make you a mark
Armed with the spray can soul
Let me out with the spray can soul
You, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
'Cause you use your heart as a weapon
And it hurts like heaven
Whoa-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh
Yeah, it's true, when you
Use your heart as a weapon
And it hurts like heaven
Oh and it hurts like heaven
Do you ever get the feeling
That you're missing the mark?
It's so cold, it's so cold
It's so cold, it's so cold
Written up in marker on a factory sign
I struggle with the feeling
That my life isn't mine
It's so cold, it's so cold
It's so cold, it's so cold
See the arrow that they shot trying
To tear us apart took the fire from my belly and
The beat from my heart
Still I won't let go
Still I won't let go
You, ooh, ooh
Oh you, use your heart as a weapon
And it hurts like heaven
On every street, every car, every surface in nature
And at the streets are rising and you'd rather sing
Don't let them take control
No, we won't let 'em take control
Yes, I feel a little bit nervous
Yes, I feel nervous and I cannot relax
I'm coming 'round to get us
I'm coming 'round when they don't know the facts
So on a concrete canvas and a glow in the dark
On a concrete canvas, I will make you a mark
Armed with the spray can soul
Let me out with the spray can soul
You, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
'Cause you use your heart as a weapon
And it hurts like heaven
Whoa-oh-oh
Whoa-oh-oh
Yeah, it's true, when you
Use your heart as a weapon
And it hurts like heaven
Oh and it hurts like heaven
Lyrics submitted by EscObAR123, edited by EditGist, nardodrive, Alfie86, hylianhero33
Hurts Like Heaven Lyrics as written by Guy Rupert Berryman Christopher Anthony John Martin
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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”
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.
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,
In my opinion, I think this song could be about being in love with someone who doesn't share the same feelings. The person could be so easy to fall for, hence the "you use your heart as a weapon" and "it hurts like heaven" could convey that being in love with them does hurt since it's not mutual, but it's a heavenly feeling to be captured in such love.