"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.
Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
Once upon a time somebody ran
Somebody ran away saying, "Fast as they can"
I got to go
I got to go
Once upon a time we fell apart
You're holding in your hands
The two halves of my heart
Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
Once upon a time we're burning bright
That all we ever seemed to do is fight
On and on
And on and on and on
Once upon a time on the same side
Once upon a time on the same side
In the same game, now why'd you have to go
Have to go and throw it all in my flame
Could've been a princess, you'd be a king
Could have had a castle and worn a ring
But no, you let me go
I could've been a princess, you'd be a king
Could have had a castle and worn a ring,
But no, you let me go
Stole my star
La-la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la
You stole my star
La-la-la-la-la-la
Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
'Cause you really hurt me
Oh, you really hurt me
'Cause you really hurt me
Oh, you really hurt me
'Cause you really hurt me
Oh-oh, you really hurt me
'Cause you really hurt me
Oh-oh, you really hurt me
Once upon a time somebody ran
Somebody ran away saying, "Fast as they can"
I got to go
I got to go
Once upon a time we fell apart
You're holding in your hands
The two halves of my heart
Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
Once upon a time we're burning bright
That all we ever seemed to do is fight
On and on
And on and on and on
Once upon a time on the same side
Once upon a time on the same side
In the same game, now why'd you have to go
Have to go and throw it all in my flame
Could've been a princess, you'd be a king
Could have had a castle and worn a ring
But no, you let me go
I could've been a princess, you'd be a king
Could have had a castle and worn a ring,
But no, you let me go
Stole my star
La-la-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la-la
You stole my star
La-la-la-la-la-la
Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh
'Cause you really hurt me
Oh, you really hurt me
'Cause you really hurt me
Oh, you really hurt me
'Cause you really hurt me
Oh-oh, you really hurt me
'Cause you really hurt me
Oh-oh, you really hurt me
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Fast Car
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
To be honest guys, you need to understand that music changes, artists change, everything develops, and so if Coldplay want to change their sound just for ONE SONG then that's fine. You can't expect ALL their music to be the same, because it would be absolutely boring.
Secondly, you can't expect their lyrics to always be deep and meaningful. Sometimes it's good to have a song that doesn't need to be pulled apart, dissected and over-studied. That’s not the point of music; it’s meant to be listened to and enjoyed.
I personally dislike Rihanna. In fact, I’m not too keen on Coldplay either. But there’s just something catchy about this song. I’m not sure if it’s the synth sounds or the fact that their voices actually work quite well together, but I think this song is good.
So I can understand why some of you may form a negative judgement of this song, but I can honestly say that you need to refrain from getting so worked up about it. It’s just a song.