"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.
Yeah
Yeah
Mama
My daughter spoiled like I used to be, I used to think
Niggas was thorough, shit was for life, retro, my wife
Mama won't change, bro in the game
Pops preaching the same thing they ain't had before the fame
(I just need my space right now)
Running the mileage up, grab the thermometer
Look at these niggas face, they mad 'cause my dollars up
Bank account super cocky like Ye with the collar up
Niggas calling me opp like they really took shots at us
Started seein' that money, was motivated for this moment
I'm talking to my opponent, I'm in the mirror, I noticed (yeah)
Never was supposed to win, these niggas dyin' to show it (dyin')
Loyalty, these bitches playin', you know they dyin' to know me
Spent some money on Rollies, I ain't got no time to be wastin'
In penthouses in the sky, I'm counting money and pacin'
My wrist is getting too crowded, I spent your chain on a bracelet
We wanted the elevation, ain't know this shit came with hatred (yeah)
Lightskin bitch, got her pregnant, she got a baby
Tellin' me her situation, I know this shit 'bout some paper
Brown pretty ting from the west, say it's my baby
DNA test say it's good, congrats, you made it
And you can't really tell me this shit ain't 'bout no coke
'Cause I know how it go (I know how this shit go)
I took off on tour, no pressure, man
I'm used to takin' risks on the road (for real)
Fuck these niggas, I'ma go and get this shit
Get this shit on my own (phew)
You can't take the heat, get the fuck up out the kitchen
While I stand at the stove
My brother sent a text, took it as disrespect
Say I don't say enough about him when I spit these raps
He know I love him from the bottom, I'm just speaking facts
I wish I listened to you early, man, these streets is real
Right now, I'm thinking back, gunshots and raids
All of them nights I prayed, I'm seeing for better days (for real)
Long walks to school, practices in them games
Hating in our hood, call on me and I came (yeah)
Let a nigga play, we gon' demonstrate, I'm spendin' everything
Know your daughter like mines too, she getting everything (yeah, yeah)
If them tables were turned, nigga (damn), I know you'd do the same
I just waited my turn, nigga, bro, you can get the Range
Fuck the beef, fuck the words, nigga, you seen a nigga pain
If it's one thing I learned, nigga, for me you'll never change
You know Face, he one thorough nigga, I'm bleeding for the game
That Patron kinda fucked me up, I'm breathing kinda strange
Many nights with no paper on me, that money never made me (Damn)
Learned to talk with no heart, B, our love was devastated
Team was fucking with my head, damn, I damn near couldn't take it
Woke up to a cold world, it's like they stripped me naked
Street dreams and I was hungry, we set up in a vacant
I just sleep when that load there, we pressin' in the basement
Niggas probably wouldn't knew me, the years that I was facin'
You ain't gotta go see LeBron, you wanna witness greatness
I just need my space right now
I know, I need some motherfuckin' space too
I need space, what the fuckin' word, nigga? Yeah
She can't spit on me, nigga
No faith when I'm in my body, know that
Yeah
Mama
My daughter spoiled like I used to be, I used to think
Niggas was thorough, shit was for life, retro, my wife
Mama won't change, bro in the game
Pops preaching the same thing they ain't had before the fame
(I just need my space right now)
Running the mileage up, grab the thermometer
Look at these niggas face, they mad 'cause my dollars up
Bank account super cocky like Ye with the collar up
Niggas calling me opp like they really took shots at us
Started seein' that money, was motivated for this moment
I'm talking to my opponent, I'm in the mirror, I noticed (yeah)
Never was supposed to win, these niggas dyin' to show it (dyin')
Loyalty, these bitches playin', you know they dyin' to know me
Spent some money on Rollies, I ain't got no time to be wastin'
In penthouses in the sky, I'm counting money and pacin'
My wrist is getting too crowded, I spent your chain on a bracelet
We wanted the elevation, ain't know this shit came with hatred (yeah)
Lightskin bitch, got her pregnant, she got a baby
Tellin' me her situation, I know this shit 'bout some paper
Brown pretty ting from the west, say it's my baby
DNA test say it's good, congrats, you made it
And you can't really tell me this shit ain't 'bout no coke
'Cause I know how it go (I know how this shit go)
I took off on tour, no pressure, man
I'm used to takin' risks on the road (for real)
Fuck these niggas, I'ma go and get this shit
Get this shit on my own (phew)
You can't take the heat, get the fuck up out the kitchen
While I stand at the stove
My brother sent a text, took it as disrespect
Say I don't say enough about him when I spit these raps
He know I love him from the bottom, I'm just speaking facts
I wish I listened to you early, man, these streets is real
Right now, I'm thinking back, gunshots and raids
All of them nights I prayed, I'm seeing for better days (for real)
Long walks to school, practices in them games
Hating in our hood, call on me and I came (yeah)
Let a nigga play, we gon' demonstrate, I'm spendin' everything
Know your daughter like mines too, she getting everything (yeah, yeah)
If them tables were turned, nigga (damn), I know you'd do the same
I just waited my turn, nigga, bro, you can get the Range
Fuck the beef, fuck the words, nigga, you seen a nigga pain
If it's one thing I learned, nigga, for me you'll never change
You know Face, he one thorough nigga, I'm bleeding for the game
That Patron kinda fucked me up, I'm breathing kinda strange
Many nights with no paper on me, that money never made me (Damn)
Learned to talk with no heart, B, our love was devastated
Team was fucking with my head, damn, I damn near couldn't take it
Woke up to a cold world, it's like they stripped me naked
Street dreams and I was hungry, we set up in a vacant
I just sleep when that load there, we pressin' in the basement
Niggas probably wouldn't knew me, the years that I was facin'
You ain't gotta go see LeBron, you wanna witness greatness
I just need my space right now
I know, I need some motherfuckin' space too
I need space, what the fuckin' word, nigga? Yeah
She can't spit on me, nigga
No faith when I'm in my body, know that
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
A1 Since Day 1 Lyrics as written by Evan Jarrod Marcellus Register
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Holiday
Bee Gees
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@[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.
Magical
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How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
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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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
Beautiful song. :)