"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.
You are the sunshine
I am the rain that falls in line
You are a candle
And I am your darkness
You are the moonlight
I am the cloud that passes by
You are a vision
And I am the blindness
And so it goes
The story is too old to know it all
[chorus]
On and on
We dance until the song is off the radio
On and on
We hold each other long after the crowd is gone
On and on
Our love goes on and on
You are an island
I am the raging of the sea
You are a fortress
And I am abandoned
You are the valley
You are the bird that flies so high
You are a temple
And I am a beggar
And so it goes
The story is too old to know it all
[chorus]
On and on
We dance until the song is off the radio
On and on
We hold each other long after the crowd is gone
On and on
Our love goes on and on
Take me to your drawbridge
Come take me to your door
Take me when I'm hungry, baby
Take me when I'm poor
Take me when I'm sick of love
Take me when you've had enough
Take me when I'm lost, alone
And don't know the reasons why
[chorus]
On and on
We dance until the song is off the radio
On and on
We hold each other long after the crowd is gone
On and on
Our love goes on and on
You are a vision
And I am the blindness
I am the rain that falls in line
You are a candle
And I am your darkness
You are the moonlight
I am the cloud that passes by
You are a vision
And I am the blindness
And so it goes
The story is too old to know it all
[chorus]
On and on
We dance until the song is off the radio
On and on
We hold each other long after the crowd is gone
On and on
Our love goes on and on
You are an island
I am the raging of the sea
You are a fortress
And I am abandoned
You are the valley
You are the bird that flies so high
You are a temple
And I am a beggar
And so it goes
The story is too old to know it all
[chorus]
On and on
We dance until the song is off the radio
On and on
We hold each other long after the crowd is gone
On and on
Our love goes on and on
Take me to your drawbridge
Come take me to your door
Take me when I'm hungry, baby
Take me when I'm poor
Take me when I'm sick of love
Take me when you've had enough
Take me when I'm lost, alone
And don't know the reasons why
[chorus]
On and on
We dance until the song is off the radio
On and on
We hold each other long after the crowd is gone
On and on
Our love goes on and on
You are a vision
And I am the blindness
Lyrics submitted by manprettys_panties
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.
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,
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/
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
this song is about his wife. it is very pretty. prboly one of his best
i love this song, next to the imposter, absolutely fantastic!