"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.
We only come out at night
We only come out at night
The days are much too bright
We only come out at night
And once again
You'll pretend to know me well
My friends
And once again
I'll pretend to know the way
Through the empty space
Through the secret places of the heart
We only come out at night
We only come out at night
The days are much too bright
We only come out at night
I walk alone
I walk alone to find the way home
I'm on my own
I'm on my own to see the ways
That I can't help the days
You will make it home okay
I know you can
And you can
We only come out at night
We only come out at night
The days are much too bright
We only come out at night
And once again now
You'll pretend to know that
That there's an end
That there's an end to this begin
It will help you sleep at night
It will make it seem that right is always right
Alright?
We only come out at night
We only come out at night
The days are much too bright
We only come out at night
We only come out at night
The days are much too bright
We only come out at night
And once again
You'll pretend to know me well
My friends
And once again
I'll pretend to know the way
Through the empty space
Through the secret places of the heart
We only come out at night
We only come out at night
The days are much too bright
We only come out at night
I walk alone
I walk alone to find the way home
I'm on my own
I'm on my own to see the ways
That I can't help the days
You will make it home okay
I know you can
And you can
We only come out at night
We only come out at night
The days are much too bright
We only come out at night
And once again now
You'll pretend to know that
That there's an end
That there's an end to this begin
It will help you sleep at night
It will make it seem that right is always right
Alright?
We only come out at night
We only come out at night
The days are much too bright
We only come out at night
Lyrics submitted by Ice, edited by BIRDDUDE830
We Only Come Out At Night Lyrics as written by William Patrick Corgan
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
I think this song is about stars. The days are too bright so you only see them at night. Which also means they can't do anything for people during the day(directly). It also goes with the predominate theme of the album.
Exactly right. The song is placed on Twilight to Starlight right where the stars would come out.
It's not about vampires or goths!
It's a song about being alone and not having anyone who really knows you along with not feelling comfortable in yourself. One possible reason for the "we only come out at night" line is drugs. This is supported by the "the days are much to bright" This could be true though Jimmy was the band member most heavily involved in drugs. Another reason for those lines could be refering to not feeling comfortable with people seeing you. Billy has refers to feelings like that in many of his other songs too.
I think this song is kind of a message from Billy Corgan to whomever is listening to this song.
The Smashing Pumpkins, especially the Mellon Collie album, are a band that makes sad and thoughtful and reminiscent music. It's music for long night time drives where you think about life and people you miss and all of that. Or maybe it's just music you listen to when your thoughts are in a sort of metaphorical night.
Billy Corgan is saying "Hey, we understand you. Our music is here to help. We might not know the way to happiness or to answers, but for a little while we can help you feel like it's all going to be okay."
i think vampires is the obvious choice, but not exactly right. this song, to me, is about people who are misunderstood. since people aren't often around at night, its a place for them to come out. others pretend to understand them, and they pretend to understand themselves. personally, i always imagine this midnight car ride i went on with my cousin - we were just singing along with billy and airguitaring with d'arcy and james and drumming along with jimmy like we knew what we were doing. yay for the smashing pumpkins and for good memories!
FAVORITE PART: [depends on mood]
Walking alone to bars, clubs and parties. Friday nights. People who otherwise would be shy and seeking solitude either feel comfortable to be themselves, and others pretend to be people who they are not. I think he speaks about the hypocrisy of it all. Not just these people, but life.
if you have ever fallen in love with a friend you might relate to this song like i do. "we only come out at night" refers to going out with this friend just to hang out but you have feelings and they dont. " walk alone, i walk alone to find the way home i'm on my own, i'm on my own to see the ways that i can't help the days, you will make it home o.k"
there are so many lights in which we can look at this song as everyone has expressed...i think this is billy being silly, i think billy can be silly truly and have fun and we all know fun and night time are synonomous...and those that are drawn to the night are drawn to the mystery of life and the passions that call to us during the night...night is a time of life and death...a fragile and dangerous time...it can also be truly sexy truly...im rammbling but all in all this song has an eerie circus feeling which makes me want to be adventurous and explore...i love the saloon piano and harp like sounds mmmm...
"iwalk alone, i walk alone to find the way home i'm on my own, i'm on my own to see the ways that i can't help the days, you will make it home o.k" -we are all alone but we find each other in the night we find billy in the night and we pretend we know what he is talking about but only he truly knows...but i love that there are so many interpretations to his songs...he can touch the different faces of the world...
I've always had weird interpretations of music, so bare with this one: I interpret this as a lonley, confused puzzle for those who do A, B, or C. Some do hard drugs, others more acceptable (weed), others drink. I'm more into the drinking/smoking crowd. I've always felt like this was meant to be listened to after smoking. The heavy beat in the background, the puzzling lyrics, the confused/distraught nature of the song, and the isolation. It's definitely a great song. But I've always thought of it as some weird ode to stoners. Although, vampires is very obvious from the lyrics.
I enjoy this one. Could be a silly song or one about being insecure. Fits either mood.
vampires!