"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.
You got a smile so bright
You know you could've been a candle
I'm holding you so tight
You know you could've been a handle
The way you swept me off my feet
You know you could've been a broom
And girl, you so dull gone sweet
You could've been some kind of perfume
Well, you could've been anything that you wanted to
And I can tell
The way you do the things you do
(The way you do the things you do) oh babe
As pretty as you are
You know you could've been a flower
If good looks was a minute
You know you could've been an hour
The way you stole my heart
You know you could've been a crook
And baby you're so smart
You know you could've been a school book
Well, you could've been anything that you wanted to
And I can tell
The way you do the things you do
(The way you do the things you do) oh babe
You made my life so rich
You know you could've been some money
And baby you're so sweet
You know you could've been some honey
Well, you could've been anything that you wanted to
And I can tell
The way you do the things you do
(The way you do the things you do)
The way you smile so bright
(The way you do the things you do) oh babe
It makes me feel alright
(The way you do the things you do) oh babe
You know you could've been a candle
I'm holding you so tight
You know you could've been a handle
The way you swept me off my feet
You know you could've been a broom
And girl, you so dull gone sweet
You could've been some kind of perfume
Well, you could've been anything that you wanted to
And I can tell
The way you do the things you do
(The way you do the things you do) oh babe
As pretty as you are
You know you could've been a flower
If good looks was a minute
You know you could've been an hour
The way you stole my heart
You know you could've been a crook
And baby you're so smart
You know you could've been a school book
Well, you could've been anything that you wanted to
And I can tell
The way you do the things you do
(The way you do the things you do) oh babe
You made my life so rich
You know you could've been some money
And baby you're so sweet
You know you could've been some honey
Well, you could've been anything that you wanted to
And I can tell
The way you do the things you do
(The way you do the things you do)
The way you smile so bright
(The way you do the things you do) oh babe
It makes me feel alright
(The way you do the things you do) oh babe
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
The Way You Do the Things You Do Lyrics as written by William Robinson Jr. Robert Rogers
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.