"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.
My friends feel it's their appointed duty
They keep tryna tell me
All you want to do is use me
But my answer, yeah
Yeah, to all that use me stuff
I-i-i, and I wanna spread the news
That if it feels this good getting used
Oh, you just keep on using me
Until you use me up
Until you use me up
My brother
Sit me right down and he talked to me
Oh-oh, he told me, yeah
That I ought not to let you just walk on me
And I'm sure he meant well
Yeah, but when our talk was through
I-i-i said, brother
If you only knew you'd wish that you were in my shoes
You just keep on using me
Until you use me up
Until you use me up
Oh-oh, sometimes
It's true, you really do abuse me
Oh, you get me in a crowd of high-class people
And then you act real rude to me
Aah-ha, but, oh baby, baby, baby, baby
When you love me, I can't get enough
I, I, I wanna spread the news
That if it feels this good getting used
Girl, you just keep on using me
Until you use me up
Until you use me up
Talkin' 'bout you usin' people
It all depends on what you do
It ain't too bad the way you're usin' me
'Cause I sure am usin' you
To do the things you do
Ah, how to do the things you do
They keep tryna tell me
All you want to do is use me
But my answer, yeah
Yeah, to all that use me stuff
I-i-i, and I wanna spread the news
That if it feels this good getting used
Oh, you just keep on using me
Until you use me up
Until you use me up
My brother
Sit me right down and he talked to me
Oh-oh, he told me, yeah
That I ought not to let you just walk on me
And I'm sure he meant well
Yeah, but when our talk was through
I-i-i said, brother
If you only knew you'd wish that you were in my shoes
You just keep on using me
Until you use me up
Until you use me up
Oh-oh, sometimes
It's true, you really do abuse me
Oh, you get me in a crowd of high-class people
And then you act real rude to me
Aah-ha, but, oh baby, baby, baby, baby
When you love me, I can't get enough
I, I, I wanna spread the news
That if it feels this good getting used
Girl, you just keep on using me
Until you use me up
Until you use me up
Talkin' 'bout you usin' people
It all depends on what you do
It ain't too bad the way you're usin' me
'Cause I sure am usin' you
To do the things you do
Ah, how to do the things you do
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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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
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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”
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
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.
To me it's a song about a guy that is dating a "user" but knows it. He's just making the most of it as it also benefits him in a physical (or emotional) sense. Raw Stylus did a good cover of this in the 90s BTW but nothing can beat the withmeister's version.