"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.
There's a look on your face I would like to knock out
See the sin in your grin and the shape of your mouth
All I want is to see you in terrible pain
Though we won't ever meet I remember your name
Can't believe you were once just like anyone else
Then you grew and became like the Devil himself
Pray to God I think of a nice thing to say
But I don't think I can, so fuck you anyway
You a scum, you a scum and I hope that you know
That the cracks in your smile are beginnin' to show
Now the world needs to see that it's time you should go
There's no light in your eyes and your brain is too slow
Can't believe you were once just like anyone else
Then you grew and became like the Devil himself
Pray to God I can think of a nice thing to say
But I don't think I can, so fuck you anyway
Bet you sleep like a child with your thumb in your mouth
I could creep up beside put a gun in your mouth
Makes me sick when I hear all the shit that you say
So much crap comin' out it must take you all day
There's a space kept in hell with your name on the seat
With a spike in the chair just to make it complete
When you look at yourself do you see what I see?
If you do why the fuck are you lookin' at me?
Why the fuck are you lookin' at me, me?
Why the fuck are you lookin' at me?
...
There's a time for us all and I think yours has been
Can you please hurry up 'cause I find you obscene?
We can't wait for the day that you're never around
When that face isn't here and you rot underground
Can't believe you were once just like anyone else
Then you grew and became like the Devil himself
Pray to God I can think of a nice thing to say
But I don't think I can, so fuck you anyway
So fuck you anyway
So fuck you anyway
See the sin in your grin and the shape of your mouth
All I want is to see you in terrible pain
Though we won't ever meet I remember your name
Can't believe you were once just like anyone else
Then you grew and became like the Devil himself
Pray to God I think of a nice thing to say
But I don't think I can, so fuck you anyway
You a scum, you a scum and I hope that you know
That the cracks in your smile are beginnin' to show
Now the world needs to see that it's time you should go
There's no light in your eyes and your brain is too slow
Can't believe you were once just like anyone else
Then you grew and became like the Devil himself
Pray to God I can think of a nice thing to say
But I don't think I can, so fuck you anyway
Bet you sleep like a child with your thumb in your mouth
I could creep up beside put a gun in your mouth
Makes me sick when I hear all the shit that you say
So much crap comin' out it must take you all day
There's a space kept in hell with your name on the seat
With a spike in the chair just to make it complete
When you look at yourself do you see what I see?
If you do why the fuck are you lookin' at me?
Why the fuck are you lookin' at me, me?
Why the fuck are you lookin' at me?
...
There's a time for us all and I think yours has been
Can you please hurry up 'cause I find you obscene?
We can't wait for the day that you're never around
When that face isn't here and you rot underground
Can't believe you were once just like anyone else
Then you grew and became like the Devil himself
Pray to God I can think of a nice thing to say
But I don't think I can, so fuck you anyway
So fuck you anyway
So fuck you anyway
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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.
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.
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/
I think the central point of the song is certainly that it can be about anyone, but certain clues point towards the fact that it may have originally been about/inspired by self-hate. Along with the things already mentioned, can I note how hard it actually is to sing this - the first verse, that huge chunk, is said in one gulp, there's practically no pause and you need really good timing and breath management to pull it off. Then at the end of the verse, the last line comes in with the heavy guitar and reinforcement : "why the fuck are you looking at me?"
It's then repeated and is the most prominent line in the song. It's meant to come as a surprise; after all, it's already been said that they'll never meet - so why INDEED are they looking at him? This is I think the biggest question to be settled. If we go with the celebrity theory, which is one of the many possible (not wrong) interpretations, it would have to be because they're looking at a picture/video of the person staring back at them. But that doesn't make any sense; it's really quite an ordinary thing, not deserving the loud crash of guitars and drums and such.
The only way it can make such a jarring psychological impact on the person writing the song is if it's a personal realisation - they've been hating this singular person/their faults so much, and finally they can bear to admit to themselves that it's actually self-hate.
Fascinating...much like you and how your big brain works. Nice interpretation. This scum is going to bed now...finally. Breathe. Everything looks rosier when the sun comes up. Enjoy your Sunday.