"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.
You don't have to call me
My love will be there for you
And you don't have to worry
Cause our love will be there for you girl
Whenever you would call me
My love will be true
And when it had to wonder
Said my love will be there for you girl
Anytime you need me I will (come back)
Anytime you want me I will (come back)
Time is almost there and I will (come back)
And it was you, who my love was to compare
Said it was heaven at this moment
Said it was you who my love was to compare
Said it was you now I'm lucky to even call you
Oh It's sympathy without truth baby
You don't have to worry (hey) said my love will be there for you boy
Whenever you would call me
Said it wasn't me and it wasn't you and it wasn't waiting for the week, don't want to see you go
My love tends to wonder (my love tends to wonder)
When you need me I'll always be a friend
When I was undiscovered
Said it was you babe and never had a thought that wouldn't be about you
You don't have to worry
My love will be there for you babe
You said that you'd gone wonder
I will be the reason to be without you
I've never been exactly one second without you
I'm never gonna make my mind stop to think about this side of you
I'm never gonna make my bickering won't break my pride
I'm never gonna lose this sight, I never wanna see this losing strike
Anytime you need me I will (come back)
Anytime you want me I will (come back)
Time is almost there and I will (come back)
And I was you, who my love was to compare
Said it was heaven at this moment
Said it was you who my love was to compare
Said it was you now I'm lucky to even call you
Oh It's sympathy without truth baby
My love will be there for you
And you don't have to worry
Cause our love will be there for you girl
Whenever you would call me
My love will be true
And when it had to wonder
Said my love will be there for you girl
Anytime you need me I will (come back)
Anytime you want me I will (come back)
Time is almost there and I will (come back)
And it was you, who my love was to compare
Said it was heaven at this moment
Said it was you who my love was to compare
Said it was you now I'm lucky to even call you
Oh It's sympathy without truth baby
You don't have to worry (hey) said my love will be there for you boy
Whenever you would call me
Said it wasn't me and it wasn't you and it wasn't waiting for the week, don't want to see you go
My love tends to wonder (my love tends to wonder)
When you need me I'll always be a friend
When I was undiscovered
Said it was you babe and never had a thought that wouldn't be about you
You don't have to worry
My love will be there for you babe
You said that you'd gone wonder
I will be the reason to be without you
I've never been exactly one second without you
I'm never gonna make my mind stop to think about this side of you
I'm never gonna make my bickering won't break my pride
I'm never gonna lose this sight, I never wanna see this losing strike
Anytime you need me I will (come back)
Anytime you want me I will (come back)
Time is almost there and I will (come back)
And I was you, who my love was to compare
Said it was heaven at this moment
Said it was you who my love was to compare
Said it was you now I'm lucky to even call you
Oh It's sympathy without truth baby
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
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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.