"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.
Rise and shine
Get on your way
By the look in your eyes there's nothing to say
I got it all
In my hands
And I know that you know just where I stand
Where we stand
One more thing
Before you go
Pick it up and then I'll hit it on down the road
I got no time
For playing games
I mean that I'm out and it's always the same
It's always the same
Ooo, I strut like a cock
And Jack don't rock
It's all coming back to me
Oh what a shame
If it's all the same
I'll get on my coat and leave
No way you're gonna work
No way you're gonna work
No way you're gonna work on me
I said that before
I open the door
Why is that so hard to believe?
Pick that guitar
Up in the air
Cut it loose and then let down that hair
I know that you
Were born to shine
You got a shine before you're blown away
You're blown away
Ooo, I strut like a cock
And Jack don't rock
It's all coming back to me
Oh what a shame
If this is all the same
I'll get on my coat and leave
No way you're gonna work
No way you're gonna work
No way you're gonna work on me
I said that before
I open the door
Why is that so hard to believe?/
Get on your way
Get on your way
Get on your way
Get on your way
I strut like a cock
And Jack don't rock
Get on your way
Oh what a shame
If it's all the same
Get on your way
No way you're gonna work
No way you're gonna work
Get on your way
I told you before
I open the door
Get on your way
Get on your way
Get on your way
By the look in your eyes there's nothing to say
I got it all
In my hands
And I know that you know just where I stand
Where we stand
One more thing
Before you go
Pick it up and then I'll hit it on down the road
I got no time
For playing games
I mean that I'm out and it's always the same
It's always the same
Ooo, I strut like a cock
And Jack don't rock
It's all coming back to me
Oh what a shame
If it's all the same
I'll get on my coat and leave
No way you're gonna work
No way you're gonna work
No way you're gonna work on me
I said that before
I open the door
Why is that so hard to believe?
Pick that guitar
Up in the air
Cut it loose and then let down that hair
I know that you
Were born to shine
You got a shine before you're blown away
You're blown away
Ooo, I strut like a cock
And Jack don't rock
It's all coming back to me
Oh what a shame
If this is all the same
I'll get on my coat and leave
No way you're gonna work
No way you're gonna work
No way you're gonna work on me
I said that before
I open the door
Why is that so hard to believe?/
Get on your way
Get on your way
Get on your way
Get on your way
I strut like a cock
And Jack don't rock
Get on your way
Oh what a shame
If it's all the same
Get on your way
No way you're gonna work
No way you're gonna work
Get on your way
I told you before
I open the door
Get on your way
Get on your way
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings, edited by BIRDDUDE830
Work on Me [Bonus Track] Lyrics as written by Jared Followill Caleb Followill
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
I think this is a response to all the crap they got for Come Around Sundown.
"Strut like a cock and Jack don't rock it's all coming back to me"
I think this is in reference to the high they were on after Because of the Times. They were strutting like the big superstar rock band they were, but jack sh*t didn't rock.
"Oh what a shame if it's all the same I'll take my coat and leave. "
I think this is a reference to Caleb's well publicized "meltdown" when he left a show on their CAS tour and never came back.
"NO way I'm gonna work... "
I think this line says that Caleb and the Kings will do their own thing, and who cares what the labels, the fans, or the media think.
"I told you before I'll open the door why is that so hard to believe"
I think this is Caleb talking to his brothers and cousin. He told them before he'll make them a band and lead them to fame. But after Caleb leaving the stage, it felt like his band mates turned on him. If you've read interviews, Caleb always says he's with them 100%, even when the pigeons crapped on Jared, no matter what. Then he had his band saying, "don't blame us, blame him." Why is it so hard for them to believe in him?
The rest of the lyrics tell the same story.
Overall, I think the music was fantastic for the lyrics. The Kings will do their own thing, and Work on Me is unlike anything they have ever made, not something the label or the fans wanted, something they wanted. I think it really shows, this song in my opinion is far and away the best song they have ever performed, much better than Sex on Fire and Use Somebody (and Use Somebody was itself an incredible song). Can't wait for the Mechanical Bull tour, hopefully they'll finally play Work on Me live.
I mean that I'm out and it's always the same It's always the same
should be
I'm in and I'm out and it's always the same.
Love the reference to Caleb's much fabled "Rooster" persona:-)
I don't know why this one is not more popular. I know it's a bonus track but I think is is the best track on the new album.
Definetly agree, there should be a lot more comments on this one, its a great song, probably the best on the album. Mechanical Bull exceeded all expectations, i guess the main reason is the huge improvement after come around sundown.