"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'd pull my weight if it made any difference
He gave his life for the nine million others
But on his grave's written ”Here lies Joseph”
His country's gun and innocent soldier
Well fight your way out of this one
Fight your way out of this one
Fight your way out of this one
Fight your way out of this one
He grew a blood red vision for all their good intentions
He made an easy million from a foreign investment
He danced with the devils in beautiful buildings
Affirmative action for a useful reunion
He'd change his name if it made any difference
Now he's waiting in line for the lasting confession
But on his grave's written "Here lies our son Joseph"
His country's gun and innocent soldier
Well fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
Fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
Fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
Fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
Fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
Fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
Fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
Fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
He gave his life for the nine million others
But on his grave's written ”Here lies Joseph”
His country's gun and innocent soldier
Well fight your way out of this one
Fight your way out of this one
Fight your way out of this one
Fight your way out of this one
He grew a blood red vision for all their good intentions
He made an easy million from a foreign investment
He danced with the devils in beautiful buildings
Affirmative action for a useful reunion
He'd change his name if it made any difference
Now he's waiting in line for the lasting confession
But on his grave's written "Here lies our son Joseph"
His country's gun and innocent soldier
Well fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
Fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
Fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
Fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
Fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
Fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
Fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
Fight your way out of this one (ah ah)
Lyrics submitted by zeppelingirl001, edited by Uranium
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
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
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.
When We Were Young
Blink-182
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
have you ever felt so bitter and angry and you want something evil to happen to somebody, even though you know its wrong but you can't help the feelings pouring out... well, this song like, feeds those feelings. 'grew blood-red vision for all their good intentions'. the whole song just builds up anger to a boil and it builds up into this amazing explosion towards the end. if you listen to it in a certain mood it just blows you away.