"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.
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
The camera pans, a cocktail glass
Behind the blinds of plastic plants
You'll find a lady with a fat diamond ring
And then you'll know I can't remember a damn thing
I think it's one of those de ja vu things
Or a dream that's tryin' to tell me something
Or will I ever stop thinkin' about it
I don't know, I doubt it
Subterranean by design
I wonder what I would find if I met you
I let my eyes caress you
Until I meet the thought of Misses' Princess Who?
Often wonder what makes her work
I guess I'll leave that question to the experts
Assuming that there are some out there
They're probably alone, solitaire
I can remember when
I caught up with a pastime intimate friend
She said, "Bet you're probably gonna say I look lovely
But you probably don't think nothin' of me"
She was right, though, I can't lie
She's just one of those corners in my mind
So I just put her right back with the rest
That's the way it goes, I guess
Baby, you send me
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
A careless whisper from a careless man
A neutron dance for a neutron fan
Marionette strings are dangerous things
I thought of all the trouble they bring
An eye for an eye, a spy for a spy
Rubber bands expand in a frustrating sigh
Tell me that she's not dreaming
She's got an ace in the hole
It doesn't have meaning
Reality used to be a friend of mine
'Cause complete control, I don't take too kind
Christina Applegate, you gotta put me on
Guess who's piece of the cake is jacked on?
She broke her wishbone and wished for a sign
I told her whispers in my heart were fine
What did she think she could do?
I feel for her, I really do
So I stared at the ring finger on her hand
I wanted her to be a big P.M. Dawn fan
But I had to put her right back with the rest
That's the way it goes, I guess
Baby, you send me
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Set adrift on memory bliss of you (baby, you send me)
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Set adrift on memory bliss of you (baby, you send me)
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
The camera pans, a cocktail glass
Behind the blinds of plastic plants
You'll find a lady with a fat diamond ring
And then you'll know I can't remember a damn thing
I think it's one of those de ja vu things
Or a dream that's tryin' to tell me something
Or will I ever stop thinkin' about it
I don't know, I doubt it
Subterranean by design
I wonder what I would find if I met you
I let my eyes caress you
Until I meet the thought of Misses' Princess Who?
Often wonder what makes her work
I guess I'll leave that question to the experts
Assuming that there are some out there
They're probably alone, solitaire
I can remember when
I caught up with a pastime intimate friend
She said, "Bet you're probably gonna say I look lovely
But you probably don't think nothin' of me"
She was right, though, I can't lie
She's just one of those corners in my mind
So I just put her right back with the rest
That's the way it goes, I guess
Baby, you send me
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
A careless whisper from a careless man
A neutron dance for a neutron fan
Marionette strings are dangerous things
I thought of all the trouble they bring
An eye for an eye, a spy for a spy
Rubber bands expand in a frustrating sigh
Tell me that she's not dreaming
She's got an ace in the hole
It doesn't have meaning
Reality used to be a friend of mine
'Cause complete control, I don't take too kind
Christina Applegate, you gotta put me on
Guess who's piece of the cake is jacked on?
She broke her wishbone and wished for a sign
I told her whispers in my heart were fine
What did she think she could do?
I feel for her, I really do
So I stared at the ring finger on her hand
I wanted her to be a big P.M. Dawn fan
But I had to put her right back with the rest
That's the way it goes, I guess
Baby, you send me
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Set adrift on memory bliss of you (baby, you send me)
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Set adrift on memory bliss of you (baby, you send me)
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Baby, you send me (baby, you send me)
Set adrift on memory bliss of you
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
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
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.
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."
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
Like someone mentioned, there's a lot of nostalgia in the lyrics. One question, if anyone knows. I'm pretty sure "a neutron dance for a neutron fan" is in reference to The Pointer Sisters. Is "A careless whisper from a careless man" a reference to "Careless Whisper" by George Michael? It makes sense, but not sure how any of this fits together.
" Is "A careless whisper from a careless man" a reference to "Careless Whisper" by George Michael?"<br /> <br /> Yes. As for how it all fits together, umm....