"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.
You told me that my love was so good for you
But when I'm not around there's always someone new
With all my trust in every little kiss
I can't believe you played me up like this
All my friends told me
I was not your only
Guess my heart was wrong again
[Chorus:]
How could I be with someone like you
After all of the things that you put me through
How could you lie looking straight in my eyes
Sorry baby not this time
The other night when I was out with my friends
And we were chillin' at the club when you walked in
Said you were staying home
Here you come and not alone
Tell me what the fuck is going on
Baby what goes around, always come back around
She'll be the one to break your heart
[Chorus]
Here I am all alone
Wondering where it all went wrong
Guess my love wasn't enough to make you stay
Can't believe you did me wrong
Should've known so now I'm gone
All the things I did for you
All the things you put me through
Tellin' me you want to stay with me
While all along you was playin' me
But all the games are gonna stop this time
It worked before but not this time
With all my trust in every little kiss
I can't believe you played me out
[Chorus]
But when I'm not around there's always someone new
With all my trust in every little kiss
I can't believe you played me up like this
All my friends told me
I was not your only
Guess my heart was wrong again
[Chorus:]
How could I be with someone like you
After all of the things that you put me through
How could you lie looking straight in my eyes
Sorry baby not this time
The other night when I was out with my friends
And we were chillin' at the club when you walked in
Said you were staying home
Here you come and not alone
Tell me what the fuck is going on
Baby what goes around, always come back around
She'll be the one to break your heart
[Chorus]
Here I am all alone
Wondering where it all went wrong
Guess my love wasn't enough to make you stay
Can't believe you did me wrong
Should've known so now I'm gone
All the things I did for you
All the things you put me through
Tellin' me you want to stay with me
While all along you was playin' me
But all the games are gonna stop this time
It worked before but not this time
With all my trust in every little kiss
I can't believe you played me out
[Chorus]
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
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.
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.