"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.
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Things are never what they seems
You go through life dreaming to drive you on
Love and tears, laughter, fears, all those years
To find out what's right or wrong
So dear boy don't tell me lies
'cause to those tricks you know I'm so wise
If you cannot treat me right
Leave me now to lead my own life
Man smart, but woman smarter baby
So don't mess this girl around
Man smart, but woman, woman smarter baby
So don't mess this girl around, don't you mess me around, mmm
Seasons pass and times they change
And you could be a phase that I'm going through
All our thoughts and all our deeds,
You must share to prove that your love is true
Come on show me face to face
Or watch your love sink without trace
Can you change my life for me?
Show me boy or you are history
Man smart, but woman smarter baby
So don't mess this girl around
Man smart, but woman, woman smarter baby
So don't mess this girl around, don't you mess me around, mmm
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Man smart, but woman smarter baby
So don't mess this girl around
Man smart, but woman, woman smarter baby
So don't mess this girl around, don't you mess me around, mmm
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Things are never what they seems
You go through life dreaming to drive you on
Love and tears, laughter, fears, all those years
To find out what's right or wrong
So dear boy don't tell me lies
'cause to those tricks you know I'm so wise
If you cannot treat me right
Leave me now to lead my own life
Man smart, but woman smarter baby
So don't mess this girl around
Man smart, but woman, woman smarter baby
So don't mess this girl around, don't you mess me around, mmm
Seasons pass and times they change
And you could be a phase that I'm going through
All our thoughts and all our deeds,
You must share to prove that your love is true
Come on show me face to face
Or watch your love sink without trace
Can you change my life for me?
Show me boy or you are history
Man smart, but woman smarter baby
So don't mess this girl around
Man smart, but woman, woman smarter baby
So don't mess this girl around, don't you mess me around, mmm
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Man smart, but woman smarter baby
So don't mess this girl around
Man smart, but woman, woman smarter baby
So don't mess this girl around, don't you mess me around, mmm
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Woman, woman, so smart
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Man Smart Lyrics as written by Paul Heard Michale Pickering
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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
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.
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/
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.