"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.
After the smoke clears
And the flames subside
(we have been forsaken)
Subside
A thousand eyes were upon me
Soulless, and without mind
(we have been forsaken)
Will there never
Will there never
Will there never be an end
If I could be forgiven
Every breath would be a prayer
(we are not forgiven)
Will there never
Will there never
Will there never be an end
I have tread, and spanned the horizon
I've seen this world, the beauty in decay
I strike down the faceless and unknown
I feel blessed, for I can see
The stars look down on me
Stars look down on me
Stars look down on me
Stars look down on me
Will there never
Will there never
Will there never be an end
Will there never be an end
Will there never be an end
Will there never be an end
Stars look down on me
Stars look down on me
Stars look down on me
Stars look down on me
And the flames subside
(we have been forsaken)
Subside
A thousand eyes were upon me
Soulless, and without mind
(we have been forsaken)
Will there never
Will there never
Will there never be an end
If I could be forgiven
Every breath would be a prayer
(we are not forgiven)
Will there never
Will there never
Will there never be an end
I have tread, and spanned the horizon
I've seen this world, the beauty in decay
I strike down the faceless and unknown
I feel blessed, for I can see
The stars look down on me
Stars look down on me
Stars look down on me
Stars look down on me
Will there never
Will there never
Will there never be an end
Will there never be an end
Will there never be an end
Will there never be an end
Stars look down on me
Stars look down on me
Stars look down on me
Stars look down on me
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
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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
After The Smoke Clears And The Flames Subside
Will There Never Be An End?
Lying On The Pavement Looking At The Sky
Will There Never Be An End?
Where Is The Finish Line? Racing Against Time?
Will There Never Be An End?
After The Smoke Clears And The Flames Subside
Will There Never Be An End? Will There Never Be An End? Will There Never Be An End? Will There Ever Be An End? Will There Never Be An End?
Sounds like he was smoking weed. "After The Smoke Clears, and the flames subside"
He's Lying On The Pavement Starring At The Sky And Wonders If There Will Never Be An End? It Doesn't Seem Possible, Because It Is Something That The Human Mind Can't Put Into Words. "Where is the finish line? racing against time?" It seems as if the end isn't possible unless time stopped as well.
That's what I think it means.