"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.
So the priceless
blue diamond
is cursed,
and we both got hurt.
Maybe I stand
in a minefield
of words,
but I asked you first.
Those early encounters,
with the hurtful lies of kids.
I remember what you did
Covered your arms in a curtain-shawl,
bloodied your palms
on the elementary wall.
If it seems too far, it is.
I was out there
in the cradle
of thorns
when your fears took form.
And the truth is
maybe your fear's a wall.
But it's not that tall.
If you want me
you show me
in a most unusual way.
In a most unusual way.
Under the eyes of a frozen lake
I saw your fire,
and it served me not to wait.
But it hurt me all the same.
You had to chase an electric storm
and you had to wait
for the violent wind to calm,
and it carried you away.
blue diamond
is cursed,
and we both got hurt.
Maybe I stand
in a minefield
of words,
but I asked you first.
Those early encounters,
with the hurtful lies of kids.
I remember what you did
Covered your arms in a curtain-shawl,
bloodied your palms
on the elementary wall.
If it seems too far, it is.
I was out there
in the cradle
of thorns
when your fears took form.
And the truth is
maybe your fear's a wall.
But it's not that tall.
If you want me
you show me
in a most unusual way.
In a most unusual way.
Under the eyes of a frozen lake
I saw your fire,
and it served me not to wait.
But it hurt me all the same.
You had to chase an electric storm
and you had to wait
for the violent wind to calm,
and it carried you away.
Lyrics submitted by fishtail11
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
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”
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.