"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.
The angel of love was upon me
And Lord, I felt so small
The legs beneath me weakened
I began to crawl
Confused and contented
I slithered around
Reveal is beyond me
I was lost, I was found
The angel of love was upon me
And Lord, I felt so weak
I felt my tongue move in my mouth
And I began to speak
A strange kind of language I don't understand
A babbling fountain I couldn't have planned
Oh, leave me here forevermore
I found the peace I've been searching for
The angel of love was upon me
And Lord, I felt so high
I swear I could have reached up
Placed my hands upon the sky
A radiant rainbow was following me around
With elevated senses, I can see and taste sound
The angel of love was upon me
And Lord, I felt so clean
Like a preacher on Sunday
My heart was serene
I waded into the water
I was bathed, I was drowned
Like the sinners before me
I knelt down on the ground
Oh, leave me here forevermore
I found the peace I've been searching for
Oh, let me sleep forevermore
I found the peace I've been searching for
And Lord, I felt so small
The legs beneath me weakened
I began to crawl
Confused and contented
I slithered around
Reveal is beyond me
I was lost, I was found
The angel of love was upon me
And Lord, I felt so weak
I felt my tongue move in my mouth
And I began to speak
A strange kind of language I don't understand
A babbling fountain I couldn't have planned
Oh, leave me here forevermore
I found the peace I've been searching for
The angel of love was upon me
And Lord, I felt so high
I swear I could have reached up
Placed my hands upon the sky
A radiant rainbow was following me around
With elevated senses, I can see and taste sound
The angel of love was upon me
And Lord, I felt so clean
Like a preacher on Sunday
My heart was serene
I waded into the water
I was bathed, I was drowned
Like the sinners before me
I knelt down on the ground
Oh, leave me here forevermore
I found the peace I've been searching for
Oh, let me sleep forevermore
I found the peace I've been searching for
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by Profane
Angel Lyrics as written by Martin Gore
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.