"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.
Yes, it's four o'clock
In the morning, baby
I'm sitting here waiting on you
Yes, it's four o'clock
In the morning, baby
I'm sitting here waiting on you
Yeah, you say you're going out dancing
But the dance hall closes at two
Yes, I know it's the weekend, mama
And everybody's having fun
Yes, the weekend, baby
And everybody's having fun
But when it's time for loving, baby
Remember that I'm the only one
Yes, I'm sitting here waiting, baby
Wondering what you're doing out there
Yeah, I'm sitting here wondering, baby
Wondering what you're doing out there
I can see you're with another man
Having fun without a care
Yeah, it's four o'clock in the morning
Baby, tell me, where have you been
Yes, it's four o'clock in the morning
Woman, tell me, where have you been
Yeah, you come on in here, woman
And don't let it happen again
In the morning, baby
I'm sitting here waiting on you
Yes, it's four o'clock
In the morning, baby
I'm sitting here waiting on you
Yeah, you say you're going out dancing
But the dance hall closes at two
Yes, I know it's the weekend, mama
And everybody's having fun
Yes, the weekend, baby
And everybody's having fun
But when it's time for loving, baby
Remember that I'm the only one
Yes, I'm sitting here waiting, baby
Wondering what you're doing out there
Yeah, I'm sitting here wondering, baby
Wondering what you're doing out there
I can see you're with another man
Having fun without a care
Yeah, it's four o'clock in the morning
Baby, tell me, where have you been
Yes, it's four o'clock in the morning
Woman, tell me, where have you been
Yeah, you come on in here, woman
And don't let it happen again
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Waitin' on You Lyrics as written by Ferdinand Washington B B King
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Spirit Music Group
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
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.