"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.
People have round shoulders from fairing heavy loads
And the soldiers liberate them, laying mines along their roads
Sorrow paid for valor is too much to recall
Of the countless corpses piled up along the wailing wall
Melting down all metals, turning plows and shears to swords
Shun words of the Bible, we need implements of war
Chalklines and red puddles of those who have been slain
Destiny, that crooked schemer, says the dead shall rise again
Where do we go from here?
And should we really care?
The end is finally here
God have mercy
Now we've rewritten history
The one thing we've found out
Sweet taste of vindication
It turns to ashes in your mouth
Where do we go from here?
And should we really care?
The end is finally here
God have mercy
If you're fighting to live
It's okay to die
The answer to your question is
Welcome to tomorrow
Where do we go from here?
God have mercy
Where do we go from here?
And should we really care?
The end is finally here
God have mercy
Where do we go from here?
And should we really care?
The end is finally here
God have mercy
And the soldiers liberate them, laying mines along their roads
Sorrow paid for valor is too much to recall
Of the countless corpses piled up along the wailing wall
Melting down all metals, turning plows and shears to swords
Shun words of the Bible, we need implements of war
Chalklines and red puddles of those who have been slain
Destiny, that crooked schemer, says the dead shall rise again
Where do we go from here?
And should we really care?
The end is finally here
God have mercy
Now we've rewritten history
The one thing we've found out
Sweet taste of vindication
It turns to ashes in your mouth
Where do we go from here?
And should we really care?
The end is finally here
God have mercy
If you're fighting to live
It's okay to die
The answer to your question is
Welcome to tomorrow
Where do we go from here?
God have mercy
Where do we go from here?
And should we really care?
The end is finally here
God have mercy
Where do we go from here?
And should we really care?
The end is finally here
God have mercy
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
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/
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.
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.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
One of my top 5 Deth songs.
Ultimately I think the song is a general anti-war song. The sweet taste of vindication will turn to ashes in your mouth.
I think it is describing about history repeating itself with the endless wars that we wage and ultimately we never learn from our mistakes. Hence "Welcome to Tomorrow!"
Awesome song and also solos and one of the best drum outtro's ever!!
Amazing solos On This Song!
Omg this song defentely deserves more comments. Its the best song off countdown to extintion.
Defiantly one of the best songs from CTD.
"Melting down all metals, turning plows and shears to swords Shun words of the Bible, we need implements of war Chalklines and red puddles of those who have been slain Destiny, that crooked schemer, says the dead shall rise again"
Certainly a message of anti-war. But I believe it's about government creating their own Judgement day, their own vision of Armageddon to free the world of evil, expecting their good to win... perhaps from a power crazed leader?
i cant say this is the best song because in my opinion all megadeth songs are great. that is so great i cant choose between them
Hell Yeah this song needs more credit some of the best solo work EVER from Mustaine and Freidman and it just kicks ass
this is an anti-war song. its about general hopelessness for the future of humanity. in future they cant see peace around the world, they can expect only wars in the future... everybody will fighting with each other, at last a day will come- The Judgement Day .
Agreed. This so is amazing. About the hopelessness of the endless warring of mankind (in my opinion). This song deserves way more comments
I think many people miss that the song answers it's own question.
Q: Where do we go from here? A: Tomorrow.
Tomorrow is always where we go next.
Washington is Next
THIS DESERVES MORE COMMENTS.