"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.
And then the seasons get you down
I'll come running to tuck you in
Out the window looks like all of the colors
All of them melting down
Been escaping, barely keeps him awake, shivering in your clothes
Frosty glasses cracking into the shades,
tryin' to forget you yet
Hello, hello
You always seem to call and nothing's on
Proceed to memory
Hello, hello
You always seem t forget before we leave the information's in
You're awfully calm and dull
Hello, hello
You're awfully calm, is all
Hello, hello
And when the seasons get you down
I'll come running to tuck you in
And out the window looks like all of the colors, all of them melting down
I hate escaping, barely keeps you awake, shivering in your clothes
My frosty glasses cracking into the shades,
tryin' to forget you, no
Word, fire, wind, hey, eh-oh
And soon, all you'll have is the memory
And then you won't even have that memory
Oh-oh-oh
And soon, all you'll have is the memory
Oh-oh-oh
And then you won't even have that memory
Oh-oh-oh
Until all you'll have is the memory
Oh-oh-oh
And then you won't even have that memory
Come out of there, we got just one chance,
If you lose, no one is a
Come out of there, we got just one chance,
If you lose, no one is a
Come out of there, we got just one chance,
If you lose, no one is a
Come out of there, we got just one chance,
If you lose, no one is a
I'll come running to tuck you in
Out the window looks like all of the colors
All of them melting down
Been escaping, barely keeps him awake, shivering in your clothes
Frosty glasses cracking into the shades,
tryin' to forget you yet
Hello, hello
You always seem to call and nothing's on
Proceed to memory
Hello, hello
You always seem t forget before we leave the information's in
You're awfully calm and dull
Hello, hello
You're awfully calm, is all
Hello, hello
And when the seasons get you down
I'll come running to tuck you in
And out the window looks like all of the colors, all of them melting down
I hate escaping, barely keeps you awake, shivering in your clothes
My frosty glasses cracking into the shades,
tryin' to forget you, no
Word, fire, wind, hey, eh-oh
And soon, all you'll have is the memory
And then you won't even have that memory
Oh-oh-oh
And soon, all you'll have is the memory
Oh-oh-oh
And then you won't even have that memory
Oh-oh-oh
Until all you'll have is the memory
Oh-oh-oh
And then you won't even have that memory
Come out of there, we got just one chance,
If you lose, no one is a
Come out of there, we got just one chance,
If you lose, no one is a
Come out of there, we got just one chance,
If you lose, no one is a
Come out of there, we got just one chance,
If you lose, no one is a
Lyrics submitted by sue_defender, edited by ArthurFelter, peaceoutside, Nezumi
Proceed to Memory Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © SC PUBLISHING DBA SECRETLY CANADIAN PUB.
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
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
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.
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”
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
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,
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.
Holy sh** these comments.
"Been escaping" and "I hate escaping" should be "The heat escaping," hence the shivering.
Also, I think it's probably "You're awfully cold, is all," in keeping with the lack of heat/shivering theme. Also a nifty double entendre.
Here are the official lyrics for the whole album - imgur.com/a/vnSrP
"Been escaping"
It is definitely heat escaping. I like to think of someone who loves fall time and hates the cold of winter. "And when the seasons get you down" And how the beautiful leaves die and wither. "Out your window looks like all of the colors, all of them melting down." Then winter comes along and the heat escapes, you shiver in your clothes, the glass frosts, and you can barely sleep. I love the melody at the end.
Deep in winter, youll just have a memory. Late winter, you won't even have the memory. (Of the fall time) "We got just one night" (Left of fall)