"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.
There's a shining at the skyline and its twisting
manifesting into something big
you can try to hide but it won't do a thing
next level more than anything seen
we take over your days over
two blades on my cold shoulders
contagious like a Trojan you're frozen ice age
these days are far from golden
Volcanoes erupt from beneath
as we stand here gritting our teeth
a thousand years go by in a week
as we lose the world to this piece by piece
as thunder rips through the seams
like a lightening strike
you can never break free can't leave
like a government scheme
your sucked in locked in
without no key
They ain't got no patience
bodies get left with bare lacerations
you don't wanna see their retaliation
no explanation they start an invasion
They've been incarcerated sedated
their pupils dilated most hated
for making you open your mind
to what we've designed
As nations divide
you can't test whats happening
its more real than its ever been
I'm looking from the other side
Times are hard as nations divide
gotta choose a path
hold on hurricanes and shooting stars
hope mother earth takes me with open arms
I'm looking from the other side
I'm nothing but an outcast
hear the sounds from the blast
catastrophic turn the amp up a couple notches
put your hands up if you got this
As nations divide
you can't test whats happening
its more real than its ever been
I'm looking from the other side
this poison's destiny
the one thing that was meant to be
Theres a shining at the skyline and its twisting
manifesting into something big
you can try to hide but it won't do a thing
next level more than anything seen
we take over your days over
two blades on my cold shoulders
contagious like a Trojan you're frozen ice age
these days are far from golden
As nations divide
you can't test whats happening
its more real than its ever been
I'm looking from the other side
this poison's destiny
the one thing that was meant to be
Walk this line
So far from a day dream
how can i choose when i can't see
you will never out last me
I'm on top of this don't put it past me
lets wake to reality
manifesting into something big
you can try to hide but it won't do a thing
next level more than anything seen
we take over your days over
two blades on my cold shoulders
contagious like a Trojan you're frozen ice age
these days are far from golden
Volcanoes erupt from beneath
as we stand here gritting our teeth
a thousand years go by in a week
as we lose the world to this piece by piece
as thunder rips through the seams
like a lightening strike
you can never break free can't leave
like a government scheme
your sucked in locked in
without no key
They ain't got no patience
bodies get left with bare lacerations
you don't wanna see their retaliation
no explanation they start an invasion
They've been incarcerated sedated
their pupils dilated most hated
for making you open your mind
to what we've designed
As nations divide
you can't test whats happening
its more real than its ever been
I'm looking from the other side
Times are hard as nations divide
gotta choose a path
hold on hurricanes and shooting stars
hope mother earth takes me with open arms
I'm looking from the other side
I'm nothing but an outcast
hear the sounds from the blast
catastrophic turn the amp up a couple notches
put your hands up if you got this
As nations divide
you can't test whats happening
its more real than its ever been
I'm looking from the other side
this poison's destiny
the one thing that was meant to be
Theres a shining at the skyline and its twisting
manifesting into something big
you can try to hide but it won't do a thing
next level more than anything seen
we take over your days over
two blades on my cold shoulders
contagious like a Trojan you're frozen ice age
these days are far from golden
As nations divide
you can't test whats happening
its more real than its ever been
I'm looking from the other side
this poison's destiny
the one thing that was meant to be
Walk this line
So far from a day dream
how can i choose when i can't see
you will never out last me
I'm on top of this don't put it past me
lets wake to reality
Lyrics submitted by Defsanj
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Fast Car
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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.
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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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Great version of a great song,
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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.