"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 hear the waves crash far below;
The rocks are leaping for the sky
They're starving for the air, for a bone to break,
A dream to smash apart, but I don't care
It looks deep enough from here, I'm diving
This cliff has been well worn by ignorance
It looks deep enough from here, I'm diving
They float face down they all look so content
I don't know why I'm even here
Guess I'm afraid to be alone
And down below I see my crew they look okay that can't be blood
The water here is far to blue
And gravity seems far away, but I can hear her Call my name
It's so comforting to know I'll never have to think again
It looks deep enough from here, I'm diving
This cliff has been well worn by ignorance
It looks deep enough from here, I'm diving
We float face down but don't we all look so content
The rocks are leaping for the sky
They're starving for the air, for a bone to break,
A dream to smash apart, but I don't care
It looks deep enough from here, I'm diving
This cliff has been well worn by ignorance
It looks deep enough from here, I'm diving
They float face down they all look so content
I don't know why I'm even here
Guess I'm afraid to be alone
And down below I see my crew they look okay that can't be blood
The water here is far to blue
And gravity seems far away, but I can hear her Call my name
It's so comforting to know I'll never have to think again
It looks deep enough from here, I'm diving
This cliff has been well worn by ignorance
It looks deep enough from here, I'm diving
We float face down but don't we all look so content
Lyrics submitted by Second Self
See You in the Shallows Lyrics as written by Edward Carrington Breckenridge Dustin Michael Kensrue
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Holiday
Bee Gees
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@[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.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
Sometimes, even though "the rocks are leaping for the sky", you need to say "i don't care" and jump anyway, if only because the place you are at has outgrown you, and has been "well worn by ignorance". Things look scary sometimes, but the cliff is being worn away, and you are going to fall anyway. Why not jump of your own volition. What's the worst that could happen?
This song is about conquering your fears in spite of everything that instills fear in you.