"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.
Sell the kids for food
Weather changes moods
Spring is here again
Reproductive glands
He's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say he's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say yeah
We can have some more
Nature is a whore
Bruises on the fruit
Tender age in bloom
He's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say he's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say yeah
He's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say he's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say yeah
Weather changes moods
Spring is here again
Reproductive glands
He's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say he's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say yeah
We can have some more
Nature is a whore
Bruises on the fruit
Tender age in bloom
He's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say he's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say yeah
He's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say he's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say yeah
Lyrics submitted by Novartza, edited by universalsounds, Bennyshambles, LHGL, Txredhead
In Bloom [Remastered] Lyrics as written by Kurt Cobain
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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Fast Car
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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.
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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.
Magical
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The idea that this song is some sort of anti "jocks" and "preps" rant that parodies an unlikely audience for Nirvana's music is obviously born from those who perceive the world through the myopic lens of a high schooler. Don't you think this belittles the band's intelligence and creative genius? I do. Also, nobody with this narrow interpretation of the song has yet explained how it's reflected in one of the most important clues to a work of art's meaning: its title.
Given the title "In Bloom", I agree with previous posts that the song is about reproduction. That's a good one word summary. However, once you read the lyrics in more detail you can see that the song is about the irony that GROWTH AND REPRODUCTION CAN ALSO BE DESTRUCTION. Sell the kids (destructive) for food (to live/grow). Nature (drive for life/growth) is a whore (uses itself up compulsively until it's ruined). Bruises (damage) on the fruit (symbol of life/growth). Tender (weakness, vunerability) age in bloom (growth). "Reproductive glands" is an overt reference to one's body becoming fertile in puberty. "He likes to shoot his gun" is an indirect reference to meaninglessly wasting this power of fertility as teenagers commonly do. It also alludes to the pleasure, power and aliveness that weak and ignorant people feel when playing with destructive force —or how sex and drugs make a us feel alive and powerful but are destructive when coupled with teenage weakness, inexperience and lack of purpose. These teenagers are grown-up enough to "like all our pretty songs", but are too young (superficial, naive, jaded, etc) to "know not what it means". So, for all those with minds still "in bloom" who prescribe to the simplistic "jocks" and "preps" interpretation of this song: it appears that in a way it may be describing you!
And here's the real beauty of this song: Not only does it represent the sexual and intellectual plight of the American teenager, how the very things that keep us alive also lead to our demise and make life just as ephemeral as a spring bloom, but it also represents Nirvana itself. A concept well portrayed by a baby swimming after money, it was their drive for growth and reproduction that destroyed them. I'm guessing this is why the band resonated so well with a generation of confused and misguided adolescents. :)
I agree with the first part about "In Bloom" not being an anti jock/prep rant, but going on to say the song is about pubescent and jaded teenagers is just as myopic. I don't think the song is aimed at teenagers specifically; it's aimed at humanity. But there isn't some grand statement; it's just a cool song with above average lyrics.
@tonemadson It is meant to be a song about people listening to their music, without really understanding their music or belonging to their "scene".