"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.
Rake up all the leaves in pleasant valley
It's the last day of my visit upstate New York
To pay respects to the old man
He's still got his sense of humor
But his body fails him
He's surrounded by loved ones
But that only goes so far
And does he know where he is?
I doubt it.
Jack the lion roaring his last
Like a vision sent from the past
Bedside crying holding his hands
Strong hands
Finally get a moment alone with the old man
He's having trouble breathing and he's not the only one
He wonders where time goes
And why we haven't spoken for so long
He regrets it
He forgets it
And none too soon
Because he's closing his eyes and fading
We thank you for uniting
We thank you for the cause
We thank you for the lion
We thank you for the claws
Come see him again
Come see him again
Come see him again
Come see him again
Bop bop bop
Jack the lion roaring his last
Like a vision sent from the past
Bedside, crying, holding his hands
Strong hands
It's the last day of my visit upstate New York
To pay respects to the old man
He's still got his sense of humor
But his body fails him
He's surrounded by loved ones
But that only goes so far
And does he know where he is?
I doubt it.
Jack the lion roaring his last
Like a vision sent from the past
Bedside crying holding his hands
Strong hands
Finally get a moment alone with the old man
He's having trouble breathing and he's not the only one
He wonders where time goes
And why we haven't spoken for so long
He regrets it
He forgets it
And none too soon
Because he's closing his eyes and fading
We thank you for uniting
We thank you for the cause
We thank you for the lion
We thank you for the claws
Come see him again
Come see him again
Come see him again
Come see him again
Bop bop bop
Jack the lion roaring his last
Like a vision sent from the past
Bedside, crying, holding his hands
Strong hands
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This is the only song I've ever heard that makes me cry (yes, I'm a dude). Every time I hear it I can't hold back tears, I hate to listen to it but I love to listen to it. Certain lines in it strike chords with me from around the time when my grandpa passed. Only. Song. Ever. To make. Me. Cry. Powerful.
I'm thinking this song is about an older relative (grandfather or uncle perhaps) or even an old friend who is near-death. It saddens and him to go visit Jack but at the same time it makes him happy because he's in good and noble company, hence Jack the Lion.
maybe it's about the narrator and an old friend he lost contact with and things became awkward:
"Finally get a moment alone with the old man He's having trouble breathing and he's not the only one He wonders where time goes And why we haven't spoken for so long"
so yea, it's probably about old friendships and shit like that and the awkwardness of meeting the old man, jack, on his deathbed and feeling sorry and stupid for not keeping in touch because of being too lazy.
Oh.. so you mean.. like what ajtelecky said? Good call!
so, maybe im underanalyzing, but it seems pretty obvious to me that this song is about his father passing away...you know, his old man? he hasnt seen or spoken to him in a long time and they both regret it. but more importantly he's having trouble accepting the fact that his father, who always seemed strong and invincible, is so helpless and weak now.
I always thought if it as being his father or maybe uncle, not an old friend, because an old firend wouldn't be that much older than the narrator. He is referred to as Jack the Lion beause even though he is week in body, he has a strong spirit and he is noble and proud, like a lion.
I think that this song is about his father's passing. I like the irony in the lines "come see him again," because, obviously, this is the last time he'll be able to see him.
I always wonder if this is about some old band fading away but playing a last show in new york... not a ton of basis behind that, but it kinda fits. WHO KNOWS!?!!?
I'm with the hippie on this one. If it had said just "old man" instead of "the old man" you might have a point for another acquaintance, but "the old man" speaks so specifically that I think it has to be his father.