"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.
Who are you to say that I am wrong?
Who are you to say I'm crazy?
Ain't a crime of passion comin' on strong
I'm only trying to treat ya like a lady
And I can't Help myself baby
Do I have to prove my innocence?
Don't need a lawyer with a fat degree
Cause if lovin' you is against the law
Then you better lock me up and throw away the key
Oh gonna take it to the jury
Oh gonna nail it to the wall
Oh gonna fight I'm gonna prove it
Oh so let the hammer fall
I'm not guilty-baby I'm not
I can't stop this feeling' I got
I'm not guilty-cross my heart
Not my fault if I'm fallin' apart
But I'm alright Jack justa watchin' my back (yeah)
I'm not guilty-I'm not guilty
Won't serve no sentence won't do no time
Won't cha listen to my plea
Yeah the verdict is I'm doin' fine
Cause the love police are lookin' out for me
Oh I'm gonna get a witness
Oh I'm gonna write it on the wall
Oh it's a dirty old business
Oh ya let the hammer fall
I'm not guilty-baby I'm not
I can't stop this feelin' I got
I'm not guilty-cross my heart
Not my fault if I'm fallin' apart
But I'm alright Jack justa watchin' my back
I'm not guilty-I'm not guilty
She'll break your heart she'll take your mind
She'll steal your soul
She's everything she's a schoolboy's dream
She's rock 'n' roll
She's a knockout combination
It's a sticky situation
Who are you to say I'm crazy?
Ain't a crime of passion comin' on strong
I'm only trying to treat ya like a lady
And I can't Help myself baby
Do I have to prove my innocence?
Don't need a lawyer with a fat degree
Cause if lovin' you is against the law
Then you better lock me up and throw away the key
Oh gonna take it to the jury
Oh gonna nail it to the wall
Oh gonna fight I'm gonna prove it
Oh so let the hammer fall
I'm not guilty-baby I'm not
I can't stop this feeling' I got
I'm not guilty-cross my heart
Not my fault if I'm fallin' apart
But I'm alright Jack justa watchin' my back (yeah)
I'm not guilty-I'm not guilty
Won't serve no sentence won't do no time
Won't cha listen to my plea
Yeah the verdict is I'm doin' fine
Cause the love police are lookin' out for me
Oh I'm gonna get a witness
Oh I'm gonna write it on the wall
Oh it's a dirty old business
Oh ya let the hammer fall
I'm not guilty-baby I'm not
I can't stop this feelin' I got
I'm not guilty-cross my heart
Not my fault if I'm fallin' apart
But I'm alright Jack justa watchin' my back
I'm not guilty-I'm not guilty
She'll break your heart she'll take your mind
She'll steal your soul
She's everything she's a schoolboy's dream
She's rock 'n' roll
She's a knockout combination
It's a sticky situation
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
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
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”
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[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.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.