"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.
Tonight I could be with you
Or waiting in the Wings
Lift your heart with soaring song
Cut down the puppet strings
Cut down the puppet strings
I wear a coat of drums
And dance upon your eyes
Turn the tables upside down
Change the lows to highs
Change the lows to highs
I fill you up with butterflies
Crown the heads of kings
Be glad of first night nerves
For fear gives courage wings
Fear gives courage wings
If I am on the sidelines
Chances are you'll miss
Wait alone and spotlit
For Doctor Theatre's kiss
The stage becomes a ship in flames
I tie you to the mast
Throw your body overboard
The spotlight doesn't last
The spotlight doesn't last
I could be with you
Or waiting in the wings
Lift your heart with soaring song
Cut down the puppet strings
Cut down the puppet strings
I may tap you on the shoulder
And whisper "go" in red
Strip your feet of lead my friend
Strip your feet of lead
Call the curtain
Raise the roof
Spirits on tonight
Call the curtain
Raise the roof
Spirits on tonight
Call the curtain
Raise the roof
Spirits on tonight
We love our audience repeat
Or waiting in the Wings
Lift your heart with soaring song
Cut down the puppet strings
Cut down the puppet strings
I wear a coat of drums
And dance upon your eyes
Turn the tables upside down
Change the lows to highs
Change the lows to highs
I fill you up with butterflies
Crown the heads of kings
Be glad of first night nerves
For fear gives courage wings
Fear gives courage wings
If I am on the sidelines
Chances are you'll miss
Wait alone and spotlit
For Doctor Theatre's kiss
The stage becomes a ship in flames
I tie you to the mast
Throw your body overboard
The spotlight doesn't last
The spotlight doesn't last
I could be with you
Or waiting in the wings
Lift your heart with soaring song
Cut down the puppet strings
Cut down the puppet strings
I may tap you on the shoulder
And whisper "go" in red
Strip your feet of lead my friend
Strip your feet of lead
Call the curtain
Raise the roof
Spirits on tonight
Call the curtain
Raise the roof
Spirits on tonight
Call the curtain
Raise the roof
Spirits on tonight
We love our audience repeat
Lyrics submitted by I Saw Star Wars
Spirit Lyrics as written by Lewis Taylor
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
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
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
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/
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.
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.
I always thought this song was about overcoming stagefright.
this song is about their live performances and how there was a spirit with them when they performed
"i wear a coat of drums and dance upon your eyes"
Brilliant. Crazy lyrics.
I'm pretty sure this was written in the method they've talked about of stringing random phrases from books together. Can't remember the name of the writer who pioneered this idea.
It's just capturing the general craziness of live performance.
Though then again, I could be wrong. "I wear a coat of drums" kind of makes sense, in a musical imagery kind of way. The lyrics are pretty brilliant.
this song is about a play.
"I'm pretty sure this was written in the method they've talked about of stringing random phrases from books together. Can't remember the name of the writer who pioneered this idea."
Dadaism- started as a backlash art movement to reflect the chaos of WW1. Bauhaus also refers to a design movement in architecture about the same time. Oooo punk rock art geek LOL.
sounds very trickster godish to me. LOVE IT!!! WE LOVE YOU GUYS TOO!!! reminds me of the spiderman villian Mysterio. Especially the old pc game version where you go to his studios.
It's about spirit, the thespian spirit. The one that moves you - with trepidation - to put on a great show.