"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.
A smack on the wrists is the words
From the mouth of the outsiders, lawyers, police
A small price to pay for the dope
And the guns and the rape, it should all be okay (okay)
Your father is rich, he's the judge
He's the man, he's the God that got your sentence reduced
But in the back of his mind, he well knows
What he'd find if he looked a little deeper in you
In you
Drag the waters some more
Like never before
Drag the waters some more
Like never before
Drag the waters some more
Sweet is the slice and the lips
You're going to have that woman, she is your favorite lay
Promised you swore that no one had been there
And she was going to keep it that way
Let it move in, you got thin
And got high, and your money went and so did your friends
But she's by your side, and her smile
Cannot hide the premonition of the beckoning end
The end
Drag the waters some more
Like never before
Drag the waters some more
Like never before
Drag the waters some more
Drag the waters some more (some more)
Like never before (like never before)
Drag the waters some more
Drag the waters some more
Like never before
Drag the waters some more
Drag the waters some more (some more, some more)
Like never before (before)
Drag the waters some more (some more)
Drag the waters some more
Drag the waters some more
Drag the waters some more
Like never before
Drag the waters some more
From the mouth of the outsiders, lawyers, police
A small price to pay for the dope
And the guns and the rape, it should all be okay (okay)
Your father is rich, he's the judge
He's the man, he's the God that got your sentence reduced
But in the back of his mind, he well knows
What he'd find if he looked a little deeper in you
In you
Drag the waters some more
Like never before
Drag the waters some more
Like never before
Drag the waters some more
Sweet is the slice and the lips
You're going to have that woman, she is your favorite lay
Promised you swore that no one had been there
And she was going to keep it that way
Let it move in, you got thin
And got high, and your money went and so did your friends
But she's by your side, and her smile
Cannot hide the premonition of the beckoning end
The end
Drag the waters some more
Like never before
Drag the waters some more
Like never before
Drag the waters some more
Drag the waters some more (some more)
Like never before (like never before)
Drag the waters some more
Drag the waters some more
Like never before
Drag the waters some more
Drag the waters some more (some more, some more)
Like never before (before)
Drag the waters some more (some more)
Drag the waters some more
Drag the waters some more
Drag the waters some more
Like never before
Drag the waters some more
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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.
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/
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.
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.
Well tommy112, I think Drag the Waters refers to searching deeper, not in the literal sense of deeper in water, but looking deeper into a person. There really is no reference in the song of murdering anybody. Also there's that part "He well knows what he'd find IF he looked a little deeper in you".
Funny thing is, I used to wander why they were talking about dragging water in this song when I was younger.. :)
Also its saying "tell your sack drop and stop thriving off everyone else."
its about a celeb or similar person who is above the law cause of money or power and his luck runs out... Drag the waters refers to searching for something, in this case looking for who a person ios underneath the suface. They might not be so great. " he well knows what he'd find if he looked a little deeper in you"0
No... it's not about weed. Heh, you guys are all wrong. This is the meaning, according to Dime:
"That song is about a lifetime of dealing with people that you can't tell what they're really comin' at you for, or what their motives really are. You've got to drag the waters to get to the bottom and find out the truth."
not sure but i think its talkin about how people get stuck with labels. for example someone who does drugs is abeled as junkie and noone looks deeper to realize that they are an actual person
It's about finally flushing the floaters out of society. Phil then gives some examples of said floaters and finishes up by reinforcing the original idea of culling the herd. Oh and that solo..
I think this song is about how he hates how people take the easy way out of situations
agreed
hmm yer all probably right. but readin the lyrics it almost sound like a guy who gets away with everything adn get what he wants alot..also seems kind of selfish? im not sure. i love pantera but there ssongs are hard to understand
Great song, You guys are probably right on the meaning. Someone who has power to get theirself out of trouble, probably a rock star. And he gets into drugs, and gets in trouble and loses everything.