"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.
Free fall through our midnight
This epilogue of our own fable
Heedless in our slumber
Floating nescient we
Free fall through this boundlessness
This madness
Of our own making
Falling isn't flying
Floating isn't infinite
Come, our end, suddenly
All hail our lethargy
Concede suddenly
To the quickened dissolution
Pray we mitigate the ruin
Calling all to arms and order
Drifting through this boundlessness
This madness of our own making
Sound our dire reveille
Rouse all from our apathy
Lest we
Cease to be
Stir us from our
Wanton slumber
Mitigate our ruin
Call us all to arms and order
Sound the dread alarm
Through our primal body
Sound the reveille
To be or not to be
Rise
Stay the grand finale
Stay the reading of our swan song and epilogue
One drive to stay alive
It's elementary
Muster every fiber
Mobilize
Stay alive
Stir us from our
Wanton slumber
Mitigate our ruin
Call us all to arms and order
This epilogue of our own fable
Heedless in our slumber
Floating nescient we
Free fall through this boundlessness
This madness
Of our own making
Falling isn't flying
Floating isn't infinite
Come, our end, suddenly
All hail our lethargy
Concede suddenly
To the quickened dissolution
Pray we mitigate the ruin
Calling all to arms and order
Drifting through this boundlessness
This madness of our own making
Sound our dire reveille
Rouse all from our apathy
Lest we
Cease to be
Stir us from our
Wanton slumber
Mitigate our ruin
Call us all to arms and order
Sound the dread alarm
Through our primal body
Sound the reveille
To be or not to be
Rise
Stay the grand finale
Stay the reading of our swan song and epilogue
One drive to stay alive
It's elementary
Muster every fiber
Mobilize
Stay alive
Stir us from our
Wanton slumber
Mitigate our ruin
Call us all to arms and order
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher, edited by Passenger146
Descending Lyrics as written by Daniel Carey Adam Jones
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
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”
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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.
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.
Damn this song is good. Alright, so what I hear is a wake-up call. Society and our culture is crumbling. We’re ignorantly slumbering through our end times, our epilogue. Tool is asking us to wake the F up. Stir us from our greedy, wanton slumber. Calling us to arms to wake up and make something of our epilogue. Rousing us from our apathy. Rather than wallowing in this toxic culture of social media and everyone at war with one another over our opinions and beliefs. We must muster every fiber, mobilize, and stay alive in order to stay the reading of our epilogue, because if we continue the way we’ve been, it’s over for us.
Just my two cents. Very much seems like a more mature Message but similar to the message of Aenima.
@Elidril Nicely put. This song reminds me a very hard-hitting philosophical book, "Ishmael", by Daniel Quinn -- humans won't "wake up" until we're close to our own self-inflicted demise, and by then... who knows, will it be too late? Anyhow, I really love how the song (vocals and instrumentals) starts out softly and gains intensity as it nears the end; almost certainly how humanity's struggle to stay alive will intensify as we slowly begin realize our ignorance and dissension can no longer be ignored.
@Elidril Sounds reasonable. I also read in quite a bit of environmental awareness. Not just society, but the whole planet is messed up thanks this madness of our own making.
Yeah yeah people have been proclaiming the extinction of human society for thousands of years, yet we're doing better than ever. Any time a new technology comes along, like social media, people tend to think that the world itself is crumbling and the end is nigh. Meanwhile, people adapt and society adjusts, and things keep improving.<br /> This song is actually about the self loathing degenerate nihilists that are sitting around wallowing in their own misery because they think the end is nigh.
Robert1129 I couldn’t disagree more with you. <br /> You must be trolling yeah?
Gives me some 10,000 days vibes... and in a similar way there could be a religious undertone. What you might not realise is, that Maynard often writes as though he is a Christian, despite the fact that he seemingly despises faith. This song could easily be about the diminishment of Christian faith in Western culture due to our changing priorities and the 'gods' of our culture, namely comfort.
Let me walk you through it:
"Free fall through our midnight This epilogue of our own fable Heedless in our slumber Floating nescient we Free fall through this boundlessness"
The idea of falling through 'our' midnight is about a society that is uncontrollably heading into (and through) darkness. This has been created as we (western society) have created our own story of what is important in life - - in this case slumber/apathy/rest. In essence society pushes us to go and be rich, powerful and then (the ultimate goal) become master of your own leisure... Maynard calls it "Our own Fable" clearly pointing out that the 'story of mankind' that we have made is actually only a fallacy, and perhaps the things we focus on aren't important at all. It is these things that have prevented us from pursuit of God, and made us apathetic to love others.
"This madness Of our own making Falling isn't flying Floating isn't infinite"
Again, this pursuit is "maddness", that we (western culture) have created. We like to believe that we are flying because of the great things we have achieved with our hands and minds, but in fact we are actually falling further into darkness as we separate ourselves further from the creator and true meaning of life. In the same way falling gives off a similar feeling to flying, progression from our own advancement (in this case comfort) gives off a similar feeling of success and meaning to humankind. But the one who is falling is only flying until they hit the ground. Similarly, to float, it might feel freeing, but you are only just off the ground. You are still limited, still out of control to experience the boundlessness of possibilities and to know the creator in all his magnificence.
"Come, our end, suddenly All hail our lethargy Concede suddenly To the quickened dissolution"
In this part of the song Maynard wishes that our end might come quickly, so that we might not drift further into, nor spend more time in darkness. The end is again caused by our lethargy (our god) which we praise as king. It will come as a sudden end only after we realise we have gone too far. The end is when the falling finishes and when we are completely cut off from God, falling into the pit.
"Pray we mitigate the ruin Calling all to arms and order Drifting through this boundlessness This madness of our own making"
Maynard prays that God would intercede. He prays that we might have a change of heart, that we might turn or repent from our ways of lethargy and take action. In 2 Timothy 2 Christians are referred to as "soldiers". "Calling to arms and order" refers to calling Christian brothers to once again pick up their arms and create order (1 Cor 14:33), and to seek God.
The next few sections of the song are a prayer to God to stir us into action. "Call us to arms and action", "Mitigate our Ruin". He isn't asking mankind to do this, he is requesting higher power to step in. In the same way that someone begins a battle with the reveille, he prays that our society might once again be stirred into action at the sound of the horn.
"Sound our dire reveille Rouse all from our apathy Lest we Cease to be Stir us from our Wanton slumber "
Again, the above reinforces some ideas; 'lest we cease to be' refers to the total loss of mankind, perhaps referring to another flood when people walked so much in darkness that they were wiped off. "Wanton" a sense of deliberacy in this action, as though an active choice to reject the creator and pursue the earthly things sets them against God.
"Mitigate our ruin
Call us all to arms and order Sound the dread alarm Through our primal body Sound the reveille To be or not to be Rise"
"Our" primal body indicating how he believes we have separated ourself from our creator as we take on a more evolutionist understanding or life.
"Stay the grand finale Stay the reading of our swan song and epilogue"
Manyard requests to God that he keeps the end from coming (stay). The grand finale, swan song and epilogue referring to the end, when Christ will return and deal with those who have turned from him. In this case Maynard is concerned that because of apathy many have turned, and if Christ was to return now, they would not be ready.
"One drive to stay alive It's elementary Muster every fiber Mobilize Stay alive Stir us from our Wanton slumber Mitigate our ruin Call us all to arms and order"
His final marks refer to his one reason (or drive) he has to stay alive and thats to see people become 'mobilised'; to see them wake from their slumber and once again pursue higher things. He says it is "elementary" or a foundation to life, and to "stay alive" we need to fix what we have done...
Pick up your arms and come to order... "Take up your cross and follow Me" Luke 9:23
@rhino10194 it's about white genocide. not about GOD lol<br /> <br /> seriously it's 2019... i would imagine he has graduated out of the whole anti-christianity high school phase.<br /> <br /> When you look at the lyrics in tandem of White Genocide, it just makes sense... i know this might "offend" some of tools fans, but that's what he is talking about.
@rhino10194 some really interesting ideas here, it's a stretch though to put a specifically Christian perspective on it though imo. Personally I believe Maynard like many GREAT writers is capable of getting outside of his "self" and capturing the zeitgeist of a given place and time (Get out of your own way as Bono wrote). I interpret the song as a rallying call to humanity, perhaps to whatever higher power/God/Creator that may exist and have interest in the wellness of humanity and/or planet earth.
@rhino10194 it's funny how obvious this song IS about white genocide, but im the only one who will admit it<br /> <br /> instead people talk about "western culture" and "western people" being destroyed... when ultimately they are saying WHITE PEOPLE. Just admit it, it's the truth, dont try to be deceptive about it
@rhino10194 <br /> I wouldn't cast this song as a critique of western society per se. Maynard is against dogmatic thought and fundamentalism. Modern society is constantly evolving, the seas are shifting, and many people want to retreat backward to find solid ground. It takes courage to embrace friction and flow with gravity.<br /> You can believe in Christ and embrace the ideals of the archetypal savior. Why shouldn't everyone embrace love, forgiveness, and self-sacrifice as an inherent part of his/her soul? Christianity is dogmatic thought with many sects that have promoted AND twisted the core teachings of Christ. We are all in search of truth, and the path is not always apparent to us all. I think this is reflected in this song's lyrics. Despair is a teacher, and we're coming face-to-face with it. Deep down, we all know the correct path for ourselves. God is within us, and God will light the way for us all.
@rhino10194 Hello Rhino hey Maynard is not a Christian. Hence fear inoculum inoculating the fear of God . Immunity long overdue he’s lying opening up to you (GOD ) he’s casting a spell in that song too “ for fit all control you poison you spectacle “ “ deciever says you belong to me you don’t want to breathe the light of the others fear the light fear the breath fear the others for eternity “. And the part. “ exercise the spectacle exercise the malady the illness exercise the disparate poison for eternity purge then evacuate venom and the fear that binds me “ man that is intense ! His Mitosis ! He also says deciever chased away . Maynard calls God the deciever. In the lusiferion religion God is the deciever . In that particular song it’s all about the separation from God . TOOL is a tool to work on the will of the ignorant to change that will against Christ. He hates Christians . He sold his soul to make a record and us dip shits bought one. Lol the Illuminati exists and that’s why they fund these bands with power money because they can influence society bring about there one world government and religion. This country was founded buy good people but the masons the secret societies are lusiferion and there goal has been new world order and I’m order to get to the infrastructure the do it three influence in music movies sports . See it’s all hidden in plane site buy us all being ignorant by not knowing what to look for the religion is everywhere like the Statue of Liberty is isis the Washington monument is represents Osiris male generative . All our presidents are mason they practice in secret making every one think there Christian . It’s all coming but my point is is that I’m hearing a lot people saying Maynard is Christian it’s the farthest from the truth . Anyway just wanted to go on a tangent hope to here back
@rhino10194 This whole album seems to be hinting at him finding faith in God despite the past. I see the theme in several songs on the album.
@rhino10194 Well more specifically @ken1171335<br /> <br /> Jesus fucking christ. Yes, the band that is all about unity and oneness is actually singing an anthem about "white genocide" - a real thing that is very certainly happening all around the world!<br /> <br /> No you Nazi dipshit. Maynard is not singing about "white genocide." His lyrics more often make fun of your ignorant ideologies than they support them. "Monkey killing monkey killing monkey over pieces of the ground" anyone? Hopefully in the time since posting that, you've gotten off 4chan and picked up meditation. We are all one.
Incredible—it’s hard not to just hit repeat all day. I just get relationship ending vibes and not obvious spiritual overtones like Pneuma, but who knows? I think I’d even like this one better if it was totally instrumental. Fierce.
@jroberts71 <br /> <br /> Better if it were only instrumental? You're entitled to your opinion, of course, but to me, these are some of tools most profound and powerful lyrics ever...
I believe this to be about the band itself, and society. I’ve been a hardcore fan since Undertow. What I hear is one of two things, a goodbye to their fans and a thank you for making them realize that they needed to come back to the front and awake from their slumber at least one last time in order to sing their swan song and epilogue.
I also hear the side of the song that relates to society and it’s apathetic ways or it’s all going to end. And that we must simply give everything that we have as humans, emotionally and physically to change our ways or not only will we perish, but the world as a whole will as well. And due to society being ignorant and uncaring, it will be the end of our story. It will take everyone, and everything to stop it. Just my two cents.
Global warming, anyone?
"This madness of our own making"
@gimmedrums absolutely This madness\r\nOf our own making, but Maynard loves double entendres so there is probably another meening we are missing
@gimmedrums he’s talking about the state we’ve allowed our lives to become! Spacing all day for the elites. <br /> Cos all we have to do is say no and we win simply by numbers
Invisible seems to be the band talking about themselves (or Maynard about himself). Long in tooth and soul (getting old, their 50's). Looking for another (after 13 years). Weapon out and belly in (they've got dad bodies now). Warrior struggling to remain consequential, proud of where they've been (they were mega stars). They were once invisible but now they're growing old and their armor is thin. etc...
Descending also sounds like the band talking about themselves They are now at the midnight (the end) of their own fable, free falling through the boundlessness madness of their own making Falling isn't flying (they are on their way down and it's not good) Floating isn't infinite (fame doesn't last forever)
Come, our end, suddenly, All hail our lethargy, Concede suddenly (we're suddenly at our end and now we're ready to be lazy and retire)
To the quickened dissolution, Pray we mitigate the ruin, Calling all to arms and order (getting the band back together for one last go at it and to put off the end)
@clint11101 no<br /> invincible is about pre flood giants and the souls' that once inhabited them.that is maynard.ancient men of renown. ascention descention is the story. ascention is thier time before Christ. and descending is the time after his death.told from the fallens point of view.until christ died these beings ruled all here and in the lower heavens. they were ascending. when Christ died they began thier descent. lost power over mens souls. and subjecated to his authority on earth and in us. then the veil remained between realms.
@clint11101 no<br /> invincible is about pre flood giants and the souls' that once inhabited them.that is maynard.ancient men of renown. ascention descention is the story. ascention is thier time before Christ. and descending is the time after his death.told from the fallens point of view.until christ died these beings ruled all here and in the lower heavens. they were ascending. when Christ died they began thier descent. lost power over mens souls. and subjecated to his authority on earth and in us. then the veil remained between realms.
This is one of tools best songs. The playing on it is top notch, the sound is a solid wall. Lyrics are the best part, this is a message we had better start heeding and soon. Never mind war, our environment will do us all in if we don't ALL rise up and do something about it. To me, this song is definitely near the very top of the bunch. The urgency of our situation is in Maynards voice in the final lines.
I agree with the above - amazing song.
I really have to wonder if they're breaking the fourth wall a bit with these lyrics and describing how difficult it was to overcome all of their hardships and make this new record.
Sure hope this record isn't actually their swan song though.
This song, like a good portion of the record deals with our desperate need to Rise and Awaken from our spiraling, unconscious descent into extinction. Maynard is using this song as a platform to sound the dread alarm. I think Maynard may realize that Fear Inoculum (the album) could be TOOL's final reveille considering the accelerating dissolution of our species. Someone said there are religous undertones to the lyrics in a previous comment and it is true that this song a Psalm of our times meant to pierce our slumber calling us to 'Arms and Order.
It's funny I always heard 'One drive to stay alive' as 'One tribe, to stay alive.'
And 'Mobilize Stay alive' as 'Modernize, Stay alive.'
As if it was a message to people to form 'one tribe', to become a unified species instead of warring tribes, and to 'modernize' in order to stay alive. Those that refuse to adapt and stay stagnant in a traditional mode are doomed to go extinct.
The lyrics prior support this theme I outlined though, that until now we have sleepwalked toward disaster in our apathy and our refusal to accept change.
@Oswold you know why you thought he said One Tribe? Because thats what he ACTUALLY said.