"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.
Pull it out, turn it up, what's your favorite song?
That's mine, I've been crying to it since I was young
I know there's someone out there feeling just like I feel
I know they're waiting up, I know they're waiting to heal
And I've been holding my breath
Are you holding your breath
For too many years to count?
Too many years to count
And we waited for the sirens that never come
And we only write by the moon
Every word handwritten
And to ease the loss of youth
And how many years I've missed you
Pages plead forgiveness
Every word handwritten
Let it out, let me in, take a hold of my hand
There's nothing like another soul that's been cut up the same
And did you want to drive without a word in between?
I can understand, you need a minute to breathe
And to sew up the seams after all this defeat
All this defeat
And we waited for the sirens that never come
And we only write by the moon
Every word handwritten
And to ease the loss of youth
And the many, many years I've missed you
Pages plead forgiveness
Every word handwritten
Here in the dark, I cherish the moonlight
I'm in love with the way you're in love with the night
And it travels from heart to limb to pen
And we waited for the sirens that never come
And we only write by the moon
Every word handwritten
Every word handwritten
And with this pen, I thee wed
From my heart to your distress
Every word handwritten
That's mine, I've been crying to it since I was young
I know there's someone out there feeling just like I feel
I know they're waiting up, I know they're waiting to heal
And I've been holding my breath
Are you holding your breath
For too many years to count?
Too many years to count
And we waited for the sirens that never come
And we only write by the moon
Every word handwritten
And to ease the loss of youth
And how many years I've missed you
Pages plead forgiveness
Every word handwritten
Let it out, let me in, take a hold of my hand
There's nothing like another soul that's been cut up the same
And did you want to drive without a word in between?
I can understand, you need a minute to breathe
And to sew up the seams after all this defeat
All this defeat
And we waited for the sirens that never come
And we only write by the moon
Every word handwritten
And to ease the loss of youth
And the many, many years I've missed you
Pages plead forgiveness
Every word handwritten
Here in the dark, I cherish the moonlight
I'm in love with the way you're in love with the night
And it travels from heart to limb to pen
And we waited for the sirens that never come
And we only write by the moon
Every word handwritten
Every word handwritten
And with this pen, I thee wed
From my heart to your distress
Every word handwritten
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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.
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
The thing everyone misses here is that this is a nostalgic song. Every word "handwritten". When was the last time any of you actually picked up a pen? Back before texting and email, THIS is how you expressed your undying love for someone... with a goddamned pen. You poured it all out in the dim light of your room staying up way passed your bedtime bleeding words to a page. And it was very personal and intimate. There was a power in the writing and it took real passion and commitment to accomplish it.
Now... pfft... a text message saying "LuvU" is supposed to suffice... or a tweet... or a relationship status on Facebook.
It's sad that youth today don't even realize how deprived of passion they've become... they don't know what they're missing.
you have your comment full of truth, amen
There is some truth to your comment. I'm 20 years old and I've seen TGA four times, including on their first tour in promotion of Sink or Swim. Until kids our age find TGA, or The Loved Ones, or Hot Water Music, or Alkaline Trio, or The Revival Tour, or you name it, it's true--we're deprived of passion. But we fall in love. We still write letters. It just takes a great band to remind us of how real that love was and how important the pain is. It's not for everyone. But those of us who can feel the nostalgia--the perfect blend of pain, joy, memory, and regret--that punctuates TGA's music are forever marked by it.