"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.
RONRII GAARU wa itsu made mo todokanai yumemite
Sawagu atama no naka wo kakimawashite, kakimawashite.
"Mondai nai." to tsubuyaite, kotoba wa ushinawareta?
Mou shippai, mou shippai.
Machigai sagashi ni owareba, mata, mawaru no!
Mou ikkai, mou ikkai.
"Watashi wa kyou mo korogarimasu." to,
Shoujo wa iu shoujo wa iu
Kotoba ni imi wo kanade nagara!
"Mou ii kai?"
"Mada desu yo, madamada saki wa mienai no de. Iki wo tomeru no, ima."
ROORINGAARU no nare no hate todokanai, mukou no iro
Kasanaru koe to koe wo mazeawasete, mazeawasete.
"Mondai nai." to tsubuyaita kotoba wa ushinawareta.
Dou nattatte ii n datte sa,
Machigai datte okoshichaou to sasou, sakamichi.
Mou ikkai, mou ikkai.
Watashi wo douka korogashite to
Shoujo wa iu shoujo wa iu
Mukuchi ni imi wo kasane nagara!
"Mou ii kai?"
"Mou sukoshi, mou sugu nanika mieru darou to. Iki wo tomeru no, ima."
Mou ikkai, mou ikkai.
"Watashi wa kyou mo korogarimasu." to,
Shoujo wa iu shoujo wa iu
Kotoba ni emi wo kanade nagara!
"Mou ii kai? Mou ii yo. Sorosoro kimi mo tsukaretarou, ne."
Iki wo yameru no, ima.
Sawagu atama no naka wo kakimawashite, kakimawashite.
"Mondai nai." to tsubuyaite, kotoba wa ushinawareta?
Mou shippai, mou shippai.
Machigai sagashi ni owareba, mata, mawaru no!
Mou ikkai, mou ikkai.
"Watashi wa kyou mo korogarimasu." to,
Shoujo wa iu shoujo wa iu
Kotoba ni imi wo kanade nagara!
"Mou ii kai?"
"Mada desu yo, madamada saki wa mienai no de. Iki wo tomeru no, ima."
ROORINGAARU no nare no hate todokanai, mukou no iro
Kasanaru koe to koe wo mazeawasete, mazeawasete.
"Mondai nai." to tsubuyaita kotoba wa ushinawareta.
Dou nattatte ii n datte sa,
Machigai datte okoshichaou to sasou, sakamichi.
Mou ikkai, mou ikkai.
Watashi wo douka korogashite to
Shoujo wa iu shoujo wa iu
Mukuchi ni imi wo kasane nagara!
"Mou ii kai?"
"Mou sukoshi, mou sugu nanika mieru darou to. Iki wo tomeru no, ima."
Mou ikkai, mou ikkai.
"Watashi wa kyou mo korogarimasu." to,
Shoujo wa iu shoujo wa iu
Kotoba ni emi wo kanade nagara!
"Mou ii kai? Mou ii yo. Sorosoro kimi mo tsukaretarou, ne."
Iki wo yameru no, ima.
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
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.
Just so you know, this comment will be based on JubyPhonic's english lyrics for the song.
Many people the use of the word "rolling" is reffering to the term for cutting, or self harm. Personally, I think it's used in place of living. "One more time, one more time, please just let me live for another day"
The main character, Miku, is struggling with depression, and is arguing with herself, practically begging herself not to give into it. She talks about the voices in her head, meaning her suicidal thoughts.
Throughout the whole song, she seems to be conflicted about what to do. That's why I find the ending so beautiful. It leaves it completely up to interpretation whether she went through with it or not.
The man that shows up at the end is theorized by some to be the personification of her depression, who she finally gives into.
Others think he's completely outside of her head and is there to help her. Both theories have pleanty of weeight to them, so I'm going to detail more on both, then say which one I beleive.
To the people that think he's personifying her depression, the most blantant evidence is the line "I'll stop your breath from rolling out" He's like an imaginary friend who's there to tell her not to worry. "Stop, it's fine." It says earlier in the song that "Rolling girl has given it her all; It's just too far, the hue she recalls" This is talking about how she's ready to stop rolling. She has no reason to keep rolling through life. No purpose. Miku's only worried about how her suicide would affect others. That's the reason she's still there. The man at the end is telling her not to worry, that it's fine to let go. Then, the song cuts out. Miku decided to end things.
The other theory says that he's there to make her feel better and stop her from doing it. This theory means a bit more if you look at the literal translation. In there, it simply says Miku's holding her breath, not stopping it. That one little word makes all the difference. She isn't dying, simply waiting. The last important piece to this theory is the final line of the song. "For now." If he were ending her life, that's not temporary. It just means he'll help her stop and soak things in a bit before making any rash decisions. This also has importance with the line "Stop, it's fine." It takes it the other way, where he's saying that it's fine to be upset, but Miku needs to keep her head up.
Personally, I beleive the first theory. It's funny, because I'm usually an optimist, but something about it just feels right. The song was clearly intended to be heartbreaking, and the second theory just goes against all the emotions of the song.