"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.
I've seen a rising statue
Next to a crumbling building
And a city scapes call to arms.
(Yeah!) Alright! (Yeah!)
I've seen a rising statue
(Rising up!)
Next to a crumbling building
(You're going down!)
And a city scapes call to arms.
(Our fight, we won't back down, no!)
So we've got our fists out
(Rising up!)
To show our numbers,
(You're going down!)
Show our numbers in this fight!
(Our fight! Our fight, yeah!)
I warn, I warn you...
I warn, I warn you...
A fistful of revolution,
(Rising up!)
And it's reaching for a brick,
(You're going down!)
And you are the target!
(Our fight, we won't back down, no!)
I warn, I warn you...
I warn, I warn...!
I warn, I warn you...
I warn you! Alright!
I warn, I warn you...
I warn you! I warn you!
A fistful of revolution,
And it's reaching for a brick,
And you're the target.
Yeah, you're the target.
A fistful of revolution,
And it's reaching for a brick.
We won't back down, we won't give in!
(Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)
A fistful of revolution!
(Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)
A fistful of revolution!
(Won't back down, we won't give in!)
A fistful of revolution!
(Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)
A fistful of revolution!
(Won't back down, we won't give in to you!)
A fistful of revolution,
And it's reaching for a brick,
And you're the target.
Won't back down, we won't give in!
A fistful of revolution!
(Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)
A fistful of revolution!
(Our fight, we won't back down, no!)
A fistful of revolution!
(Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)
A fistful of revolution!
(You're falling down,
You're falling down.)
A fistful of revolution!
A fistful of revolution!
A fistful of revolution!
A fistful of revolution!
Next to a crumbling building
And a city scapes call to arms.
(Yeah!) Alright! (Yeah!)
I've seen a rising statue
(Rising up!)
Next to a crumbling building
(You're going down!)
And a city scapes call to arms.
(Our fight, we won't back down, no!)
So we've got our fists out
(Rising up!)
To show our numbers,
(You're going down!)
Show our numbers in this fight!
(Our fight! Our fight, yeah!)
I warn, I warn you...
I warn, I warn you...
A fistful of revolution,
(Rising up!)
And it's reaching for a brick,
(You're going down!)
And you are the target!
(Our fight, we won't back down, no!)
I warn, I warn you...
I warn, I warn...!
I warn, I warn you...
I warn you! Alright!
I warn, I warn you...
I warn you! I warn you!
A fistful of revolution,
And it's reaching for a brick,
And you're the target.
Yeah, you're the target.
A fistful of revolution,
And it's reaching for a brick.
We won't back down, we won't give in!
(Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)
A fistful of revolution!
(Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)
A fistful of revolution!
(Won't back down, we won't give in!)
A fistful of revolution!
(Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)
A fistful of revolution!
(Won't back down, we won't give in to you!)
A fistful of revolution,
And it's reaching for a brick,
And you're the target.
Won't back down, we won't give in!
A fistful of revolution!
(Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)
A fistful of revolution!
(Our fight, we won't back down, no!)
A fistful of revolution!
(Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!)
A fistful of revolution!
(You're falling down,
You're falling down.)
A fistful of revolution!
A fistful of revolution!
A fistful of revolution!
A fistful of revolution!
Lyrics submitted by a scar in the sky
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Hayalperest
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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.
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Ed Sheeran
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fist = international sign of demanding a liberation socially, politcally, economically, etc.
"I've seen a rising statue Next to a crumbling building And a city scapes call to arms. "
rising statues are when notable political figures have their stautes made and raised. the statue next to a crumbling building means the crumbling building symbolizes the crumbling state of a nation's well-being and wellfare. that the nation is in shambles and the stature (the leader) may be the cause. A city scape calls to arms, means that the people are not happy with the status quo and that a revolution to overtake an incompetant or unjust leader is neccessary.
showing our numbers = protest rally!!!!!!
a fistful of revolution= a brick! they're going to smash the state!
pretty simple song. the meaning is generic, but it expresses a strong feeling with such few words. if you want to hear more political and verbal lyrics, check out anti-flag, chris barker (vocals of whatever it takes) is also the bassist for anti-flag. rock on!