"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.
Uh, what they say, what they say, what they say
What they say, what they say, what they say
You speak out, all you feel is defiance
All you need is some self-reliance
'Cause this world is gonna always try us
And all you wanted was to run for cover
Well here's looking to yourself and no other
We're all searching for that special something
And we keep on running
We all have the choice to take the lead or follow
I want to feel the light shine on me (me)
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, you'll soon get strong enough
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
You're going to break, so please don't do it
You wanna spread your wings but you're not sure
Don't wanna leave your comforts, wanna find a cure
We're afraid of who we see in the mirror
We wanna let go but it feels too pure
Who wants to be alone in this world
You look around and all you see is hurt
But the light it always finds us
If we move with a little trust
We all have the choice to take the lead or follow
I want to feel the light shine on me (me)
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, you'll soon get strong enough
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
You're going to break, so please don't do it
A diamond don't define what shine is
I don't need a Rolex to know what the time is
You got yours let me find what mine in
I'm a survivor look how strong my mind is
I stand on my own it's all me
Regardless of whatever they call me
I'm a leader not a follower
And I'd rather be paid and popular
Ride homie get your dollars up
We're in the belly of the beast that already swallowed us
It's the end of the world and we know it
(Oh, oh, oh)
It's the end of the world
(Oh, oh, oh)
And we know it
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, you'll soon get strong enough
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
You're going to break, so please don't do it
You're so afraid of what people might say (that's okay)
You're so afraid of what people might say (that's okay)
You're so afraid of what people might say (that's okay)
You're so afraid of what people might say (that's okay)
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, you'll soon get strong enough
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
You're going to break, so please don't do it
What they say, what they say, what they say
You speak out, all you feel is defiance
All you need is some self-reliance
'Cause this world is gonna always try us
And all you wanted was to run for cover
Well here's looking to yourself and no other
We're all searching for that special something
And we keep on running
We all have the choice to take the lead or follow
I want to feel the light shine on me (me)
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, you'll soon get strong enough
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
You're going to break, so please don't do it
You wanna spread your wings but you're not sure
Don't wanna leave your comforts, wanna find a cure
We're afraid of who we see in the mirror
We wanna let go but it feels too pure
Who wants to be alone in this world
You look around and all you see is hurt
But the light it always finds us
If we move with a little trust
We all have the choice to take the lead or follow
I want to feel the light shine on me (me)
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, you'll soon get strong enough
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
You're going to break, so please don't do it
A diamond don't define what shine is
I don't need a Rolex to know what the time is
You got yours let me find what mine in
I'm a survivor look how strong my mind is
I stand on my own it's all me
Regardless of whatever they call me
I'm a leader not a follower
And I'd rather be paid and popular
Ride homie get your dollars up
We're in the belly of the beast that already swallowed us
It's the end of the world and we know it
(Oh, oh, oh)
It's the end of the world
(Oh, oh, oh)
And we know it
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, you'll soon get strong enough
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
You're going to break, so please don't do it
You're so afraid of what people might say (that's okay)
You're so afraid of what people might say (that's okay)
You're so afraid of what people might say (that's okay)
You're so afraid of what people might say (that's okay)
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, you'll soon get strong enough
You're so afraid of what people might say
But that's okay, 'cause you're only human
You're so afraid of what people might say
You're going to break, so please don't do it
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Afraid Lyrics as written by Nate Hills Nelly Furtado
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Anthem Entertainment, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
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Ebba Grön
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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.
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Yo La Tengo
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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,