"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.
(Three, four)
Instant karma's gonna get you
Gonna knock you right on the head
You better get yourself together
Pretty soon you're gonna be dead
What in the world you thinking of
Laughing in the face of love?
What on earth you tryna do?
It's up to you, yeah, you
Instant karma's gonna get you
Gonna look you right in the face
Better get yourself together, darlin'
Join the human race
How in the world you gonna see
Laughin' at fools like me?
Who in the hell d'you think you are?
A super star?
Well, right you are
Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well, we all shine on
Everyone come on
Instant karma's gonna get you
Gonna knock you off your feet
Better recognize your brothers
Everyone you meet
Why in the world are we here?
Surely not to live in pain and fear?
Why on earth are you there
When you're everywhere?
Come and get your share
Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah, we all shine on
Come on and on and on, on, on
Yeah, yeah, alright, uh-huh, ah
Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah, we all shine on
On and on and on, on and on
Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well, we all shine on
And the moon and the stars and the sun
Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Instant karma's gonna get you
Gonna knock you right on the head
You better get yourself together
Pretty soon you're gonna be dead
What in the world you thinking of
Laughing in the face of love?
What on earth you tryna do?
It's up to you, yeah, you
Instant karma's gonna get you
Gonna look you right in the face
Better get yourself together, darlin'
Join the human race
How in the world you gonna see
Laughin' at fools like me?
Who in the hell d'you think you are?
A super star?
Well, right you are
Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well, we all shine on
Everyone come on
Instant karma's gonna get you
Gonna knock you off your feet
Better recognize your brothers
Everyone you meet
Why in the world are we here?
Surely not to live in pain and fear?
Why on earth are you there
When you're everywhere?
Come and get your share
Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah, we all shine on
Come on and on and on, on, on
Yeah, yeah, alright, uh-huh, ah
Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah, we all shine on
On and on and on, on and on
Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Well, we all shine on
And the moon and the stars and the sun
Well, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
Yeah, we all shine on
Like the moon and the stars and the sun
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Fast Car
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
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 use "We all shine on / Like the moon and the stars and the sun" as my inspirational quote when I need one. I absolutely adore John Lennon. I only wish he could have lived during my generation, too.
Instant Karma, as i read it, is a tounge-in-cheek 'salute' to narcissistic, self-centered people who screw over and belittle the decent, those with integrity... and this song says, you're no better than the rest of it, you know, we know it, you are what you do, so go ahead.. but when you do good, it feels good.. instantly. so shine on
I had maybe heard "Instant Karma!" once or twice before...but I got a copy of "The John Lennon Collection" and when this song started, it was a musical revelation for me. Hearing him strain his voice to belt out, "We all shine on...", gives me chills.
I have to strongly disagree with "Bite Me" on the "superstar" line. Try and think about where John Lennon was at this time...surrounded by the material and superfical rich and famous. I see that line as mocking those type of people...who want fame and fortune over and other good things in life..."Well alright, you are..."
thank you jxpx...yes, I also think John was mocking the superficial tendancies of the rich and famous...how about the verses: "why in the world are we here?.. "surely not to live in pain and fear"...why on "earth" would any of us chose fear
i agree with JxPx about the superstar lines, and personally, i like that part
Another one of Lennon's greats .. very inspirational and motivational song (possibly anyway) .
speaking of insults....Philadelphia Eagles is a grand one for people who call themselves Lennon fans...
get off or your home-made pedestal and save your comments for the TV, from your Lay-Z-Boy...
burn
i thought it was a stab at the 'fast food' nation and how even the most spiritual and all powerful force of Karma is now offerd in 'Instant' form like coffee etc.. Interested in the Mc Cartney theory if anyone can elaborate
I always wondered, if he worried so much about Karma, then what was he doing cheating on his wife? By the way I am a big fan, and not a Yoko hater, per say. I'm pretty indifferent to Yoko. I just always found it hypocritical to be singing about karma like that. Also if anyone knows more about the John vs. Paul theory I'd like to hear too.
John and Paul had a pretty brutal falling out by the time the Beatles were finished. There's a quote from John, in which he said he would trade Paul for two Georges. They were very competitive...which I suppose is a good thing, because it fueled all the great music they made. I recently watched a video clip of Paul being interviewed on the day that John was shot. He seemed to be borderline indifferent....but that could just be my interpretation. Anyway...while the thought that this song is about Paul is possible, overall it seems to be more of a general message.