"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.
I am a man at war
And I am fighting for
All of the broken people
All of the people thrown overboard
They always tried to shame us
But they don't speak the language
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
(Oh, oh oh) somebody sound the alarm
(Oh, oh oh) a fire was set in the dark
(Oh, oh oh) it's time that you know
No, we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
It doesn't matter if the world has gone mad
If we just hold on, if we just hold on yeah
The sky is falling and the world has gone mad
And we sing our songs, and we just hold on yeah
So if you're running, stop running
One life, one chance, start living
Sing it louder just to let the world know
No, we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
We're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
We're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
They say that I'm reckless
Because I'm relentless
They spit on my face, and curse on my name
They're taking my life in vengeance
Yeah, you can try and blame us
And try to take what's sacred
But we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
(Oh, oh oh) somebody sound the alarm
(Oh, oh oh) a fire was set in the dark
(Oh, oh oh) it's time that you know
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
It doesn't matter if the world has gone mad
If we just hold on, if we just hold on yeah
The sky is falling and the world has gone mad
And we sing our songs, and we just hold on yeah
So if you're running, stop running
One life, one chance, start living
Sing it louder just to let the world know
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
We're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
Somebody sound the alarm
It's time that you know
It doesn't matter if the world has gone mad
If we just hold on, if we just hold on yeah
Sing it louder just to let the world know
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless We were born for greatness
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless We were born for greatness
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless We were born for greatness
We were born for greatness
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
And I am fighting for
All of the broken people
All of the people thrown overboard
They always tried to shame us
But they don't speak the language
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
(Oh, oh oh) somebody sound the alarm
(Oh, oh oh) a fire was set in the dark
(Oh, oh oh) it's time that you know
No, we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
It doesn't matter if the world has gone mad
If we just hold on, if we just hold on yeah
The sky is falling and the world has gone mad
And we sing our songs, and we just hold on yeah
So if you're running, stop running
One life, one chance, start living
Sing it louder just to let the world know
No, we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
We're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
We're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
They say that I'm reckless
Because I'm relentless
They spit on my face, and curse on my name
They're taking my life in vengeance
Yeah, you can try and blame us
And try to take what's sacred
But we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
(Oh, oh oh) somebody sound the alarm
(Oh, oh oh) a fire was set in the dark
(Oh, oh oh) it's time that you know
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
It doesn't matter if the world has gone mad
If we just hold on, if we just hold on yeah
The sky is falling and the world has gone mad
And we sing our songs, and we just hold on yeah
So if you're running, stop running
One life, one chance, start living
Sing it louder just to let the world know
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
We're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
Somebody sound the alarm
It's time that you know
It doesn't matter if the world has gone mad
If we just hold on, if we just hold on yeah
Sing it louder just to let the world know
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless We were born for greatness
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless We were born for greatness
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless We were born for greatness
We were born for greatness
No we're not nameless, we're not faceless
We were born for greatness
Lyrics submitted by MusicFREAK20
Born For Greatness Lyrics as written by Jason Evigan Jacoby Dakota Shaddix
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
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.
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.
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.
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.
I’m not completely sure, but I think it may have to do with the lack of recognition towards our true heroes. I also think it may be related to how older generations treat us younger kids, like us milennials and even Gen Z. I think it may go into the issue of how we are treated as issues to society, rather than the people who will take it over sometime soon. But I need to look into it more and hear other people’s thoughts about it.
For me, this song speaks about how the older generations (baby boomers, gen x) disrespect and blame us millennials and gen z for things that are wrong in the world, despite the fact we are actively trying to make the world a better place for ourselves.
I believe this song is from the viewpoint of a millennial standing up for what they believe and helping their fellow humans who have been disregarded by previous societies (I am a man at war, and I am fighting for, all of the broken people, and all of the people thrown overboard), and the older generations giving them hell for it but the hatred having no effect (They always tried to shame us, but they don't speak the language; They say that I'm reckless, because I'm relentless). As long as the youth have hope that they can make a positive change, it will come in the end (It doesn't matter if the world has gone mad, if we just hold on; one life one chance start living, sing it louder just to let the world know .... we were born for greatness)
Overall the message is: don't give up because you will in the end (You can try and shame us, and take what's sacred, but we're not nameless .... we were born for greatness)