"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.
Lies.
Under the eyes of suspicion.
A time and place to cause destruction.
Losing respect from the nations.
Our own allies disapproval.
Fuel the fire.
Our own fathers shelter lies.
Fuel the fire.
Abusive power crushing lives.
Fuel the fire.
Our innocence betrayed.
Bow to the presses of ability.
Led times of anger to the grave.
Show times of prosper.
But who is saved?
Under the hand of damnation.
Many have lost faith.
Lost all respect from the nations.
Our own allies disapproval.
Fire has gone on too long.
Shadows are cast from our rule.
Fire has gone on too long.
Shadows are cast
Now end the lies.
Forced on me the casualties.
Never will I believe.
Kneel along the protective wrong.
Never will I believe.
Never will I believe in your destructive wrong.
These eyes have wandered on.
From the disgusting harm that cause so many to bleed
And leave us with questioning ears.
False informing our belief is serer.
I'll always walk on.
Under the eyes of suspicion.
A time and place to cause destruction.
Losing respect from the nations.
Our own allies disapproval.
Fuel the fire.
Our own fathers shelter lies.
Fuel the fire.
Abusive power crushing lives.
Fuel the fire.
Our innocence betrayed.
Bow to the presses of ability.
Led times of anger to the grave.
Show times of prosper.
But who is saved?
Under the hand of damnation.
Many have lost faith.
Lost all respect from the nations.
Our own allies disapproval.
Fire has gone on too long.
Shadows are cast from our rule.
Fire has gone on too long.
Shadows are cast
Now end the lies.
Forced on me the casualties.
Never will I believe.
Kneel along the protective wrong.
Never will I believe.
Never will I believe in your destructive wrong.
These eyes have wandered on.
From the disgusting harm that cause so many to bleed
And leave us with questioning ears.
False informing our belief is serer.
I'll always walk on.
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
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
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.
why has no one posted about this song? fucking unreal
Lawl, best intro ever. Extremely straight foward.
LIES!!!
Could there perhaps be a political undertone in this song? Is it perhaps discussing the wrongs the USA has committed?
"Lost all respect from the nations Our own allies disapproval ...
Shadows are cast from our rule (superpower)"
"Our own (fore) fathers shelter lies"