"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.
They were looking for me when I came to
They were looking for me when I came back
Said "Hey you, you're looking very suspicious"
I said "Relax, man, get off my back"
I said "Relax, man, get off my back"
I, I, I ain't opposed to seeking justice
But you're going about it all wrong
The man you're looking for does not exist
He's just a figment of the higher man's tongue
And they say "Open up, we're coming inside
You can't run so you may as well hide
We got the place covered from head to toe
Head to toe
Open up, we're coming inside
What's it feel like to know you're gonna die
On the other side of the road
On the other side of the road
On the other side of the road"
Yeah so they took me down to the gallows
And this boy, he say to me
"Why do you smile when the rope's around your neck"
I say "I'll tell you boy when I get back"
I say "I'll tell you boy when I get back"
I, I, I ain't opposed to seeking justice
But you're going about it all wrong
The man you're looking for does not exist
He's just a figment of the higher man's tongue
He's just a victim of the higher man's song
And they say open up, we're coming inside
You can't run so you may as well hide
We got the place covered from head to toe
Head to toe
Open up, we're coming inside
What's it feel like to know you're gonna die
On the other side of the road
On the other side of the road
On the other side of the... road
Hands above your head
Que la vie bien
Step out of line and we'll fill you with lead
How are we to know that you are not a liar, hey
Don't you see we have a job to do
And our job is the law
Job is the law
You fit the description of a criminal crosser, hey
We believe that he is you and that is your flaw
That is your flaw
That is your flaw
That is your flaw
That is your flaw
And they say open up, we're coming inside
You can't run so you may as well hide
We got the place covered from head to toe
Head to toe
Open up, we're coming inside
What's it feel like to know you're gonna die
On the other side of the road
On the other side of the road
On the other side of the road
On the other side of the road
They were looking for me when I came back
Said "Hey you, you're looking very suspicious"
I said "Relax, man, get off my back"
I said "Relax, man, get off my back"
I, I, I ain't opposed to seeking justice
But you're going about it all wrong
The man you're looking for does not exist
He's just a figment of the higher man's tongue
And they say "Open up, we're coming inside
You can't run so you may as well hide
We got the place covered from head to toe
Head to toe
Open up, we're coming inside
What's it feel like to know you're gonna die
On the other side of the road
On the other side of the road
On the other side of the road"
Yeah so they took me down to the gallows
And this boy, he say to me
"Why do you smile when the rope's around your neck"
I say "I'll tell you boy when I get back"
I say "I'll tell you boy when I get back"
I, I, I ain't opposed to seeking justice
But you're going about it all wrong
The man you're looking for does not exist
He's just a figment of the higher man's tongue
He's just a victim of the higher man's song
And they say open up, we're coming inside
You can't run so you may as well hide
We got the place covered from head to toe
Head to toe
Open up, we're coming inside
What's it feel like to know you're gonna die
On the other side of the road
On the other side of the road
On the other side of the... road
Hands above your head
Que la vie bien
Step out of line and we'll fill you with lead
How are we to know that you are not a liar, hey
Don't you see we have a job to do
And our job is the law
Job is the law
You fit the description of a criminal crosser, hey
We believe that he is you and that is your flaw
That is your flaw
That is your flaw
That is your flaw
That is your flaw
And they say open up, we're coming inside
You can't run so you may as well hide
We got the place covered from head to toe
Head to toe
Open up, we're coming inside
What's it feel like to know you're gonna die
On the other side of the road
On the other side of the road
On the other side of the road
On the other side of the road
Lyrics submitted by dragonflower44
Open Up Lyrics as written by Charles Joseph
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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,
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/
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
I had not made a connection to Jesus with this song, and actually I don't really think it is about Jesus. But after reading the lyrics, I can certainly see similarities to Jesus' persecution and crucifixion. Music is all about how a given song speaks to you, and just because schleisse and big eyed phish don't see it as pertaining to Jesus, I don't see how that gives you the right to bash skygrlzz's interpretation of it. I know that this is an open forum and you can say what you want, but I imagine if mad braddigan knew what was going on, he'd tell you to lay off and let the song speak to her however it may.