"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.
Won't make the bed up straight
I always stay out late
I never take you out
Ask what you're all about
I always smell like smoke
Everything's just a joke
I never look at you
When you come hear me sing
These are not all of the
Many simple things
You can find wrong with me
Once would you tell me please
What do I do What do I do right
I never talk to you
Be who you want me to
My music's way too loud
My friends are all so proud
Say I'm just wasted hope
I could not thread the rope
More than my pocket's broke
And you don't see a ring
These are not all of the
Infinitesimal things
You can find wrong with me
Once would you tell me please
What do I do What do I do right
Never wanted to play in this game
Yes, you're right
But losing the game doesn't mean
That we're losing the fight
What do I do what do I do, right
Won't make the bed up straight
I always stay out, great
But what do I do what do I do that is right
I always stay out late
I never take you out
Ask what you're all about
I always smell like smoke
Everything's just a joke
I never look at you
When you come hear me sing
These are not all of the
Many simple things
You can find wrong with me
Once would you tell me please
What do I do What do I do right
I never talk to you
Be who you want me to
My music's way too loud
My friends are all so proud
Say I'm just wasted hope
I could not thread the rope
More than my pocket's broke
And you don't see a ring
These are not all of the
Infinitesimal things
You can find wrong with me
Once would you tell me please
What do I do What do I do right
Never wanted to play in this game
Yes, you're right
But losing the game doesn't mean
That we're losing the fight
What do I do what do I do, right
Won't make the bed up straight
I always stay out, great
But what do I do what do I do that is right
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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,
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.
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 has an upbeat feel, but with the sour relationship lyrics that everyone can relate to.
Definitely not a one-hit wonder djdan. I think all their songs rock, but some of the really good ones are This is not Hell, Slow Change, Milk, Outhouse and Dropping Anchor.
this song is fantabulous!
I highly recommend the acoustic version ... they crack me up.
i think this is about an insaishable girl friend
one hit wonder...this isn't even their most famous song!!!
this song is as about his penis
oh man why havent more people posted for this song? this is one of my all-time fave songs...i love how they go to a different music style each verse.
oh and this bands from my hometown...annapolis md. woot!
Man, Jimmie's Chicken Shack weren't even played here in New Zealand. But I'm glad I found them online. They are awesome!
In my opinion this song is about a girl always complaining about what her boyfriend always does wrong [even the most trivial things]. The girl never seems to have anything positive to say about him, so he's asking her what is it that he does right at all.
A great one-hit wonder. Really kickin'. Do they have any other good songs?
A great one-hit wonder. Really kickin'. Do they have any other good songs?