"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.
Turn your head and see the fields of flames
He carries along
from a distant place
He`s on his way
he'll bring decay
(don't move along
cause things they will go wrong
the end is getting closer
day by day)
In shades of gray
We`re doomed to face the night
Light`s out of sight
Since we`ve reached the point of no return
We pray for starlight
We wait for the moon
The sky is empty
alone in the unknown
We`re getting nowhere
We have been betrayed by the wind and the rain
The sacred hall's empty and cold
The sacrifice made should not be done in vain
Revenge will be taken by Rome
We live a lie under the dying moon
Pale face laughs doom
Indulge us in delight
It`s getting out of hand
The final curtain will fall
Hear my voice
There is no choice
There`s no way out
You`ll find out
We don`t regret it
So many men have failed
but now he's gone
Go out and get it
The madman's head it shall be thyne
We don`t regret it
But someone else dies hidden in disguise
Go out and get it
Orion`s hound shines bright
Don`t you think it`s time to stop
The chase round the ring
Just a stop running, running
Round the ring
Don`t you know that fate has been decided
By the gods
Feel the distance
Distance
Out of reach
Welcome to the end
Watch your step Cassandra
You may fall
As I`ve stumbled on the field
Sister mine
Find myself in darkest places
Find myself drifting away
And the other world
The other world appears
Find myself she dies in vain
I cannot be freed
I`m falling down
As time runs faster
Moves towards disaster
The ferryman will wait for you my dear
AND THEN THERE WAS SILENCE
Just a voice from the other world
Like a leaf in an icy world
Memories will fade
Chorus:
Misty tales and poems lost
All the bliss and beauty will be gone
Will my weary soul find release for a while
At the moment of Death I will smile
It`s the triumph of shame and disease
In the end
Iliad
Raise my hands and praise the day
Break the spell, show me the way
In decay
The flame of Troy will shine bright
The newborn child would carry ruin to the hall
The newborn's death will be a blessing to us all
Good choice?
Bad choice?
Out of three
You`ve chosen misery
Power and wisdom
You deny
Bad choice
War is the only answer
When love will conquer fear
So when the judgment`s been made
To the fairest the graceful says
Badly he fails
Warning
Feel the heat of passion, father king
don`t let him in, don`t let her in
Desire, lust, obsession
Death they`ll bring
We can`t get out once they are in
She`s like the sunrise
Outshines the moon at night
Precious like starlight
She`ll bring in a murderous price
In darkness grows the seed of man's defeat
JEALOUSY!
I can clearly see the end now!
I can clearly see the end now!
I can clearly see the end now!
The thread of life is spun
The coin`s been placed below my tongue
Never give up!
Never give in!
Be on our side
so we can win!
Never give up!
Never give in!
Be on our side!
Old moon's time is soon to come
Nowhere to run
Nowhere to hide
Nothing to lose
like one we'll stand
We`ll face the storm created by a man
Troy Troy Troy Troy
And as the lion slaughters man
I am the wolf and you`re the lamb
Hallowed Troy shall fall!
Round the walls
Faith is shattered bodies fall
Nowhere to run
Nowhere to hide
Nothing to lose
like one we'll stand
It`s all for one and one for all
We live for will be wiped out
I feel that something`s wrong
Surprise, surprise they`re gone
Full moon your time goes by
And new moon's still kept out of sight
We live we die (while chorus starts)
Chorus
Roam in darkness (many times)
Spread the vision
We will be lost if you truly believe
Troy in Darkness
There's a cold emptyness in our hearts
That they've gone away
And won't come back
They'll tear down the wall to bring it in
They`ll truly believe in the lie
With blossoms they welcome the old foe!
The vision`s so clear
When day and dream unite
the end is near
You better be prepared
The nightmare shall be over now
there`s nothing more to fear
Come join in our singing
and dance with us now
The nightmare shall be over now
there`s nothing more to fear
The war it is over forever more
No hope
the blind leads the blind
Carry on
though future's denied
Mare or stallion
there's far more inside
We`re in at the kill
we'll cheerfully die
Chorus
Its Holy light shines on
So the judgment`s been made
We're condemned though the trial's far ahead
The crack of doom, father
Your handsome son is heading home
Heading home
Still the wind blows
Calm and silent
Carries news from a distant shore
Out of mind
Can't get it
Can't get it out of my mind
Sorrow and defeat
Sorrow and defeat
He carries along
from a distant place
He`s on his way
he'll bring decay
(don't move along
cause things they will go wrong
the end is getting closer
day by day)
In shades of gray
We`re doomed to face the night
Light`s out of sight
Since we`ve reached the point of no return
We pray for starlight
We wait for the moon
The sky is empty
alone in the unknown
We`re getting nowhere
We have been betrayed by the wind and the rain
The sacred hall's empty and cold
The sacrifice made should not be done in vain
Revenge will be taken by Rome
We live a lie under the dying moon
Pale face laughs doom
Indulge us in delight
It`s getting out of hand
The final curtain will fall
Hear my voice
There is no choice
There`s no way out
You`ll find out
We don`t regret it
So many men have failed
but now he's gone
Go out and get it
The madman's head it shall be thyne
We don`t regret it
But someone else dies hidden in disguise
Go out and get it
Orion`s hound shines bright
Don`t you think it`s time to stop
The chase round the ring
Just a stop running, running
Round the ring
Don`t you know that fate has been decided
By the gods
Feel the distance
Distance
Out of reach
Welcome to the end
Watch your step Cassandra
You may fall
As I`ve stumbled on the field
Sister mine
Find myself in darkest places
Find myself drifting away
And the other world
The other world appears
Find myself she dies in vain
I cannot be freed
I`m falling down
As time runs faster
Moves towards disaster
The ferryman will wait for you my dear
AND THEN THERE WAS SILENCE
Just a voice from the other world
Like a leaf in an icy world
Memories will fade
Chorus:
Misty tales and poems lost
All the bliss and beauty will be gone
Will my weary soul find release for a while
At the moment of Death I will smile
It`s the triumph of shame and disease
In the end
Iliad
Raise my hands and praise the day
Break the spell, show me the way
In decay
The flame of Troy will shine bright
The newborn child would carry ruin to the hall
The newborn's death will be a blessing to us all
Good choice?
Bad choice?
Out of three
You`ve chosen misery
Power and wisdom
You deny
Bad choice
War is the only answer
When love will conquer fear
So when the judgment`s been made
To the fairest the graceful says
Badly he fails
Warning
Feel the heat of passion, father king
don`t let him in, don`t let her in
Desire, lust, obsession
Death they`ll bring
We can`t get out once they are in
She`s like the sunrise
Outshines the moon at night
Precious like starlight
She`ll bring in a murderous price
In darkness grows the seed of man's defeat
JEALOUSY!
I can clearly see the end now!
I can clearly see the end now!
I can clearly see the end now!
The thread of life is spun
The coin`s been placed below my tongue
Never give up!
Never give in!
Be on our side
so we can win!
Never give up!
Never give in!
Be on our side!
Old moon's time is soon to come
Nowhere to run
Nowhere to hide
Nothing to lose
like one we'll stand
We`ll face the storm created by a man
Troy Troy Troy Troy
And as the lion slaughters man
I am the wolf and you`re the lamb
Hallowed Troy shall fall!
Round the walls
Faith is shattered bodies fall
Nowhere to run
Nowhere to hide
Nothing to lose
like one we'll stand
It`s all for one and one for all
We live for will be wiped out
I feel that something`s wrong
Surprise, surprise they`re gone
Full moon your time goes by
And new moon's still kept out of sight
We live we die (while chorus starts)
Chorus
Roam in darkness (many times)
Spread the vision
We will be lost if you truly believe
Troy in Darkness
There's a cold emptyness in our hearts
That they've gone away
And won't come back
They'll tear down the wall to bring it in
They`ll truly believe in the lie
With blossoms they welcome the old foe!
The vision`s so clear
When day and dream unite
the end is near
You better be prepared
The nightmare shall be over now
there`s nothing more to fear
Come join in our singing
and dance with us now
The nightmare shall be over now
there`s nothing more to fear
The war it is over forever more
No hope
the blind leads the blind
Carry on
though future's denied
Mare or stallion
there's far more inside
We`re in at the kill
we'll cheerfully die
Chorus
Its Holy light shines on
So the judgment`s been made
We're condemned though the trial's far ahead
The crack of doom, father
Your handsome son is heading home
Heading home
Still the wind blows
Calm and silent
Carries news from a distant shore
Out of mind
Can't get it
Can't get it out of my mind
Sorrow and defeat
Sorrow and defeat
Lyrics submitted by mimas
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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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
No Surprises
Radiohead
Radiohead
Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
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.
Yep, this is definitely the Iliad. No one's commented on the two most obvious referneces (to me). "She's like the sunrise, outshines the moon at night..." The most beautiful woman in the world, Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships. And "Good choice? Bad choice? Out of three You`ve chosen misery Power and wisdom You deny Bad choice" Refers to the choice Paris made between Athena, Hera, and Aphrodite, which sealed the fate of Troy where he chose being married to the 'most beautiful woman in the world' over fame and fortune. It's all blatantly obvious, heh. And yes, the "Reveng will be taken by Rome" thing IS from the Aeneid, to look. It's literally spelled out in the song. (More rehashing, I know.) It's one of my favourites by Blind Guardian, which is my favourite band.