"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.
This anticipation
Seen in you
As you prepare for new life
Don't forget your war
The cuts on his hands,
Speak a little louder
He takes that side,
And lets you know
And what's in his speech,
Hands cover face
Yeah what's in his,
You cover your
Your face, face, face
Now you're anticipating
What went wrong
In this world we fall back into
Just isn't strong
The cuts on his hands, made way to his face
These spoke all the louder, my silent regret
I show that side, the pride of life
Won't let go
What's in his speech, hands cover face
Yeah what's in his, you cover your
What's in his, hands cover
Yeah what's in his, you cover your
Oh what's in his speech, you cover your face
Yeah what's in his, you cover your
Face
Face
Face
Face
Your face, face, face, face
Seen in you
As you prepare for new life
Don't forget your war
The cuts on his hands,
Speak a little louder
He takes that side,
And lets you know
And what's in his speech,
Hands cover face
Yeah what's in his,
You cover your
Your face, face, face
Now you're anticipating
What went wrong
In this world we fall back into
Just isn't strong
The cuts on his hands, made way to his face
These spoke all the louder, my silent regret
I show that side, the pride of life
Won't let go
What's in his speech, hands cover face
Yeah what's in his, you cover your
What's in his, hands cover
Yeah what's in his, you cover your
Oh what's in his speech, you cover your face
Yeah what's in his, you cover your
Face
Face
Face
Face
Your face, face, face, face
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
Mental Istid
Ebba Grön
Ebba Grön
This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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."
This is another great song from Chevelle, too bad no one has anything to say about it. I love it. I don't exactly know what it's really about, but it's all about perception right?
rock on baby, hah, farewell! FSQ
it looks to me like its about suicide
It seems to be about a self-proscribed martyr, someone who maybe tends to dramatize and exaggerate their trials and pains ("The cuts on his hands speak a little louder"). Instead of being humble, this is someone who wants everyone to see he's sufferring for something ("He takes that side and lets you know", "The cuts on his hands made way to his face"). Of course, even after reading through it a few times it's still murky, so my guess is as good as any.
Yeah, I think it's about an attempted suicide that went wrong. They're preparing for a new life on the other side of death, but then they have to come to tell someone of their pain [hands cover face] and makes the other sad or disturbed [you cover your face]. The scars are there that show the regret and the pride of living and looking at it as being wonderful isn't something that will ever let go and let one take their lives.
I think both ideas are right (the suicide idea and unc1emoe's idea)
I mean both ideas are good
This anticipation
i love the bass as the song picks up
well to me this song is basically sung by 3rd person to a guy who has just lost someone close perhaps the guy who died committed suicide ...
I agree with both unc1emoe and child. It's probably about someone who attempted suicide but either didn't go through with it, or they just messed it up. Which is why they've got cuts and bruises on them, causing others to look away from them and hide their faces in disgust. Kind of makes you wonder what type of suicide they actually attempted...