"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.
Dopeman's got another big plan
To sell it to you or anyone he can
Because this is much better than minimum wage
And no matter how things they can
Because dopeman's reasons will always stay the same
And for some people it's the only way to stay sane
Think about it for a minute more
It's a life of crime or hanging round the liquor store
Or a quick drug fix just to get you through
When the city comes down what would you do
Take a welfare state
Or a dopeman's fate
And keep the cycle spinning around
To sell it to you or anyone he can
Because this is much better than minimum wage
And no matter how things they can
Because dopeman's reasons will always stay the same
And for some people it's the only way to stay sane
Think about it for a minute more
It's a life of crime or hanging round the liquor store
Or a quick drug fix just to get you through
When the city comes down what would you do
Take a welfare state
Or a dopeman's fate
And keep the cycle spinning around
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Another thing that i don't think anybody gets, is that they are saying that...ultimately..we're no better than dopeman, and he's really the one with the "upper hand" because, we all know, if we were in dopeman's situation, we'd either "take a welfare state, or a dopeman's fate"...and well...welfare is getting a sum of money for simply existing..whereas, at least dopeman is working for his money. kinda makes you think...because of this song, i realize that i have no right to frown on dopeman because of his principals...because on a baser level, they are no better or worse than yours and mine.
i like this song. its meaning is straight forward. (lmao no shit eh?) Dopeman's smart. ;-)
Less than jake is touring w/bad religion and mang o mang thats just awesome!
Damn, this song rocks. But putting yourself in Dopeman's place, it really get syou thinking about the risks you'd have to take. PS kids: Drugs are good, and they make you cool!
Agh. Drugs are so friggin' pointless and disgustamaing. Good song though =P
well what can i say, this songs Rich's theme song he plays it when he's scorin the sack, smokin the sac, and when hes lookin for another
awesome song from an awesome band, rock on ltj
this song is shweet. straight forward no difficult metaphors to deal with. thats pretty cool and its still kinda deep i dig that.
I think this would have to be one of LTJ's worst songs. Its not ALL that bad...but if you listen to the other stuff its just a waste of track space. I guess i am saying this based on the re-release on the Goodbye Blue and White cd. I wish i could program my CD player to skip over it every time. Excellent band, though. My fav and always will be.
oh man, i love this song, how can you call it a waste of space? nothing better than a song telling you why not to do drugs... Straight Edge all the way