"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.
Now lighten up, dear
Brittle old man - here!
You'll die of pleasure
You'll do whatever you can
For the glory of the throne
Drink up this poison
Little old man - here!
It's gone too far, dear
You've seen them all rise and fall
And the mercury talks
Go on see the wreckage
Go on see the show
You can count her ribs now
Miss Hemlock's pale as snow
They're jumping out of windows
And drilling through the ground
Don't come around next Sunday
'Cause she's not going to choose you
She's going to use you
And cheaters get caught
Swig of that poison
Hear the ticking
You're slowing down, dear
You thought you were going to win them all
But you never made it home
You were living in a war of no sides until
She walked out the door one day without a sign unti
I find you're changing as you try and try and try and try
Tip your hat until you're taking off your head and die
Choose you until I lose you
No one gets hurt
Choose you, choose you
Want to choose you
Emperor's bespoke
I saw you fall into shadow
Starving on calorie shakes
Hungry for maximum nothing
Lost in the translation as you're scrolling down a mountain made of words
Dried up adolescence
Where everyone decides to be ashamed
Servant up until this day
Crossed the line and favoured other lies
Mountain of words
Dull your mind with their infinite worlds
Meet the emperor, see what you learn
I want you to be free
Sail the seas
Clouds of wunderbar
Feed the disease
Love is masterful
Leaves you in peace
Emperor's bespoke emporium
Drink up your poison
Brittle old man - here!
You'll die of pleasure
You'll do whatever you can
For the glory of the throne
Drink up this poison
Little old man - here!
It's gone too far, dear
You've seen them all rise and fall
And the mercury talks
Go on see the wreckage
Go on see the show
You can count her ribs now
Miss Hemlock's pale as snow
They're jumping out of windows
And drilling through the ground
Don't come around next Sunday
'Cause she's not going to choose you
She's going to use you
And cheaters get caught
Swig of that poison
Hear the ticking
You're slowing down, dear
You thought you were going to win them all
But you never made it home
You were living in a war of no sides until
She walked out the door one day without a sign unti
I find you're changing as you try and try and try and try
Tip your hat until you're taking off your head and die
Choose you until I lose you
No one gets hurt
Choose you, choose you
Want to choose you
Emperor's bespoke
I saw you fall into shadow
Starving on calorie shakes
Hungry for maximum nothing
Lost in the translation as you're scrolling down a mountain made of words
Dried up adolescence
Where everyone decides to be ashamed
Servant up until this day
Crossed the line and favoured other lies
Mountain of words
Dull your mind with their infinite worlds
Meet the emperor, see what you learn
I want you to be free
Sail the seas
Clouds of wunderbar
Feed the disease
Love is masterful
Leaves you in peace
Emperor's bespoke emporium
Drink up your poison
Lyrics submitted by SlamDuncan
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
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.
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
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.