"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.
It's going down tonight in this town,
'cause they stare and growl, they all stare and growl.
I take a scar every time I cry,
'cause it ain't my style, no, it ain't my style.
Going down to the gravel, head to the barrel,
take this life and end this struggle.
Los Angeles, come scam me please.
Emptiness never sleeps at Clifton's, 6 a.m,
with your bag lady friend and your mind descending.
Stripped of the right to be a human in control,
it's warmer in hell so down we go.
They say this is the city,
the city of angels.
All I see is dead wings.
They say this is the city,
the city of angels.
All I see is dead wings.
It's a ghost town, rabid underworld,
dionysian night, vitriolic twilight.
A mirage comes up, it never ends,
once you get born you're never the same.
Left behind, erased from time,
ain't no decency in being boxed up alive.
Look around, ain't no R.I.P. signs here,
we don't rest in peace, we just disappear.
So here we are, Los Angeles,
no angels singing in your valley of unease.
I watch the sun roll down the pacific,
over hookered sunset strip.
They say this is the city,
the city of angels.
All I see is dead wings.
They say this is the city,
the city of angels.
All I see is dead wings.
There's a black moon tonight,
shining down on the western neon lights.
They say this is the city,
the city of angels.
All I see is nothing
'cause they stare and growl, they all stare and growl.
I take a scar every time I cry,
'cause it ain't my style, no, it ain't my style.
Going down to the gravel, head to the barrel,
take this life and end this struggle.
Los Angeles, come scam me please.
Emptiness never sleeps at Clifton's, 6 a.m,
with your bag lady friend and your mind descending.
Stripped of the right to be a human in control,
it's warmer in hell so down we go.
They say this is the city,
the city of angels.
All I see is dead wings.
They say this is the city,
the city of angels.
All I see is dead wings.
It's a ghost town, rabid underworld,
dionysian night, vitriolic twilight.
A mirage comes up, it never ends,
once you get born you're never the same.
Left behind, erased from time,
ain't no decency in being boxed up alive.
Look around, ain't no R.I.P. signs here,
we don't rest in peace, we just disappear.
So here we are, Los Angeles,
no angels singing in your valley of unease.
I watch the sun roll down the pacific,
over hookered sunset strip.
They say this is the city,
the city of angels.
All I see is dead wings.
They say this is the city,
the city of angels.
All I see is dead wings.
There's a black moon tonight,
shining down on the western neon lights.
They say this is the city,
the city of angels.
All I see is nothing
Lyrics submitted by black_cow_of_death
City Of Angels Lyrics as written by
Lyrics © NATOARTS LIMITED
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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
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."
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/
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.
I love this song!! The Distillers fucking rock and nobody can change my mind about that!
ok ... this is the only song ive heard so far by the distillers but its fantastic. i know very little about the band (obviously ive heard about brody's various problems) so if anyone can tell me more that would be cool. I'm deffinately going to be buying the album just because of this song - surely a good sign that the band rocks to hell and back (well, it's warmer down there !!). Also not knowing much about LA what's the significance of the western neon lights?
dude this song is the best...i luv their voice too...its so cool!
brody rawks!!
this is one of the best songs by them.. they voice is amazing!
brody is soo sexy
brody is fucking dope as hell!!!!shes like my role model or something. her style, voice, everything! the distillers are just super good and awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! shreddin outta here, LATER :)
i think this song is pretty fuckin' great, i heard the brody is married to someone famous, like... tim armstrong of rancid, pretty cool.
Funny that she married him...they have the same voice. Thank christ they don't do duets - who'd know who was singing? Great song.
haha I agree about their voices being similar.. If I had a role model or idol, it'd definitely be Brody. She rocks like no other.