"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.
There's a black cloud overhead that's me
And the poison ivy chokes the tree again it's me
I'm the filthy one on bourbon street you walk on by
I'm the little boy that pushes hard and makes it cry
There's a dirty needle in your child ha ha stick me
Empty bottles still in hand still dead still me
I'm the suit and tie that breaks the street and still wants more
I'm the 45 that's in your mouth I'm a dirty, dirty whore, yeah
Look, it's me
The one who can't be free
Much too young to focus but too old to see
Hey look it's me
When no one wants to see
See what you brought this world just what you want to see
Hey ma, hey ma, look it's me
Yeah he wants to become father now me again, me
The marks inside your arms still leaves me alone to me
I'm the nothing face that plants a bomb and strolls away
I'm the one who doesn't look quite right as children play
Yeah, look it's me
The one who can't be free
Much too young to focus but too old to see
Hey look it's me
When no one wants to see
See what you brought this world just what you want to see
Hey ma, hey ma, look it's me
It's me
Look up to me
What you've been and what you've feared
Look up to me look it's me, what you hear
See right through me see the one who can't be free
See right through me look it's me when no one wants to see
Hey, hey, hey
Hm, now see the black cloud overhead that's me
Hm, in this poison ivy chokes the tree again it's me
And I'm the filthy one on bourbon street you walk on by
And I'm the little boy that pushes, pushes makes it cry
Yeah look it's me
The one who can't be free
Much too young to focus but too old to see hey, hey
Look it's me
When no one wants to see
See what you brought this world just what you want to see
Hey ma, hey ma, look it's me yeah
It's me
Hey ma, hey ma, look it's me
See right though me look up to me
See right though me look up to me
And the poison ivy chokes the tree again it's me
I'm the filthy one on bourbon street you walk on by
I'm the little boy that pushes hard and makes it cry
There's a dirty needle in your child ha ha stick me
Empty bottles still in hand still dead still me
I'm the suit and tie that breaks the street and still wants more
I'm the 45 that's in your mouth I'm a dirty, dirty whore, yeah
Look, it's me
The one who can't be free
Much too young to focus but too old to see
Hey look it's me
When no one wants to see
See what you brought this world just what you want to see
Hey ma, hey ma, look it's me
Yeah he wants to become father now me again, me
The marks inside your arms still leaves me alone to me
I'm the nothing face that plants a bomb and strolls away
I'm the one who doesn't look quite right as children play
Yeah, look it's me
The one who can't be free
Much too young to focus but too old to see
Hey look it's me
When no one wants to see
See what you brought this world just what you want to see
Hey ma, hey ma, look it's me
It's me
Look up to me
What you've been and what you've feared
Look up to me look it's me, what you hear
See right through me see the one who can't be free
See right through me look it's me when no one wants to see
Hey, hey, hey
Hm, now see the black cloud overhead that's me
Hm, in this poison ivy chokes the tree again it's me
And I'm the filthy one on bourbon street you walk on by
And I'm the little boy that pushes, pushes makes it cry
Yeah look it's me
The one who can't be free
Much too young to focus but too old to see hey, hey
Look it's me
When no one wants to see
See what you brought this world just what you want to see
Hey ma, hey ma, look it's me yeah
It's me
Hey ma, hey ma, look it's me
See right though me look up to me
See right though me look up to 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
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
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.
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.
yeah I think its a preatty good song too, you should listen to the orignial if you havent already, though metallica does a great cover of it!
in which context u say its a pretty good song? because i feel its not gud one!