"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.
I walked into my favorite place one night
I'd just gotten back from a lecture
And I was feeling kind of uptight
And at the edge of the bar there was this guy
And you know I wasn't really looking
But I caught him out of the corner of my eye
The next thing I know he was moving my way
I thought he wanted to talk
But this is what he had to say
I don't know your name babe
But I want to be your lover
Y'all sing it with me
I don't know your name babe
But I want to be your lover
Your lover your lover your lover
One time or another baby
I want to be your lover
I have to admit I was a little bit surprised
But I wasn't really scared 'cause I was twice his size
So I said to myself, "Okay, I'll play his game"
And when he turned to me
I gave him my name
I know your name babe
But I got to know your number
I know your name babe
But I got to know your number your number
I said one time or another baby
I'm gonna be your lover
Yeah I wanna be your lover
Well I said to myself "This guy is persistent
He's a little bit dumb but at least he's consistent"
I tried to talk cool but when we touched I went under
I made a quick decision and I gave him my number
I know your number
But I don't know what to say babe
That's OK
I know your number
Your number babe
But I don't know what to say to you
Say to you say to you say to you darling
Oh it don't matter anyway no
I don't talk when I make love to you babe
I don't talk when I make love
I wanna be you lover
I wanna be you lover
Lover lover
Lover lover
Lover lover
Well you probably won't believe this
But we got married one day
And I still don't know if he speaks English
'cause he doesn't have much to say
It's a damn good thing I like lying around
We don't make much conversation
But love makes sounds
You know what I'm talking about
Y'all know what I'm talking about
Well one thing I've learned from being in this state
There are other ways to communicate
I don't know your name babe
But I want to be your lover
Don't know your name babe
But I want to be your lover
Your lover your lover your lover
One time or another baby
I'm gonna be your lover
I'd just gotten back from a lecture
And I was feeling kind of uptight
And at the edge of the bar there was this guy
And you know I wasn't really looking
But I caught him out of the corner of my eye
The next thing I know he was moving my way
I thought he wanted to talk
But this is what he had to say
I don't know your name babe
But I want to be your lover
Y'all sing it with me
I don't know your name babe
But I want to be your lover
Your lover your lover your lover
One time or another baby
I want to be your lover
I have to admit I was a little bit surprised
But I wasn't really scared 'cause I was twice his size
So I said to myself, "Okay, I'll play his game"
And when he turned to me
I gave him my name
I know your name babe
But I got to know your number
I know your name babe
But I got to know your number your number
I said one time or another baby
I'm gonna be your lover
Yeah I wanna be your lover
Well I said to myself "This guy is persistent
He's a little bit dumb but at least he's consistent"
I tried to talk cool but when we touched I went under
I made a quick decision and I gave him my number
I know your number
But I don't know what to say babe
That's OK
I know your number
Your number babe
But I don't know what to say to you
Say to you say to you say to you darling
Oh it don't matter anyway no
I don't talk when I make love to you babe
I don't talk when I make love
I wanna be you lover
I wanna be you lover
Lover lover
Lover lover
Lover lover
Well you probably won't believe this
But we got married one day
And I still don't know if he speaks English
'cause he doesn't have much to say
It's a damn good thing I like lying around
We don't make much conversation
But love makes sounds
You know what I'm talking about
Y'all know what I'm talking about
Well one thing I've learned from being in this state
There are other ways to communicate
I don't know your name babe
But I want to be your lover
Don't know your name babe
But I want to be your lover
Your lover your lover your lover
One time or another baby
I'm gonna be your lover
Lyrics submitted by aur0ra
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988.
"'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it."
"There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
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.