"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.
Melodic stanzas
Are symphonizing their way
Through your weary head
To feed your distrust
And fill it's mouth with the desire
To soulfully be one with your creation
Not a subject to control
You call upon a higher power
For help and inspiration
The crowd waits
And turns their faces
Towards you expectantly
You give them what they need
But their useless criticism
Makes you die
A bit more inside
Not a subject to control
You call upon a higher power
For help and inspiration
Oh, I swoon
While loudspeakers play soft music
Leaning
Over your fortieth masterpiece
You must have loved
The colour of these violins
I wish I knew you
Your fit of insanity makes me sad
I wish you knew
Your music was to stay forever
And I hope
I have no clue
If you know how much it matters
And I hope
Are symphonizing their way
Through your weary head
To feed your distrust
And fill it's mouth with the desire
To soulfully be one with your creation
Not a subject to control
You call upon a higher power
For help and inspiration
The crowd waits
And turns their faces
Towards you expectantly
You give them what they need
But their useless criticism
Makes you die
A bit more inside
Not a subject to control
You call upon a higher power
For help and inspiration
Oh, I swoon
While loudspeakers play soft music
Leaning
Over your fortieth masterpiece
You must have loved
The colour of these violins
I wish I knew you
Your fit of insanity makes me sad
I wish you knew
Your music was to stay forever
And I hope
I have no clue
If you know how much it matters
And I hope
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Fast Car
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Never crosed my mind that this song might be about a relationship. To me all the lyrics point out that this song is a tribute to some music composer (probably classic music). Observe: Imagine that the first stanza refers to a man constantly preocupied by music, most likely his one, to the point of exhaustion. Look at the 4th stanza - imagine the man's composition going before a croud of listeners. They get what they've paid for but all they have to say about his work is pintless to him. Why? Look at the third stanza now - he's work is of divine inspiration therefor not a subject to control. Now the later part of the song becomes more personal as she relates to the man. She feels the desire to know this persona - it also hints us here that they are separated by ages and such a thing is but a fantasy. The very last part of the song makes it all very clear: "I wish you knew your music was to stay forever" What beter way to honour a genius musician than by claiming his music has standed the test of time. In a way i feel Anneke wishies this for herself so it's possible that this song is not about a long gone artis but about the gathering and their expectations for the future.
I find this song to by by far the best song of the band, both lyricaly and instrumental. Quite frankly none of the other songs have this complexity and eloquence
Since the lyrics mention "fourtieth masterpiece", then theyre probably referring to Mozart, whose 40th symphony is regarded as one of his best. No other classical composer has a famous 40th symphony. That would be my guess as to "fourtieth masterpiece". <br /> <br /> I think Yang offered a fine interpretation of the song. In addition, i would like to say that while i consider Travel to be The Gathering's finest moment, i dont think it is the only song that has complexity and depth that characterize "the very best" music. I think TG has quite some songs that stand as unique "all-time" art-music masterpieces, and Travel is probably the most enchanting of them all. I cant describe how profoundly the song affects me, it plucks some hidden cord within me, some fundamental layer that resonates with my whole being, so i listen to Travel only when i feel emotionally and spiritually elevated, when i am prepared for the experience of going to that nearly sacred place, for The Travel that is...