"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.
A man inside a room is shaking hands with other men
This is how it happens
Our carefully laid plans
Shake it, shake it baby
Shake your ass out in that street
You're gonna make us scream someday
You're gonna make it big
You love so deep, so tender
Your people and your land
You love 'em 'till they can't recall
Who they are again
Work it, work it baby
Work your way 'round that room
You're gonna make it big some day
You're gonna make a boom
But I am
But I am
But I am not a number, not a name
But I am
But I am
But I am a carefully laid plan
Shake what your mama gave you
You know that it won't last
You're gonna taste the ground real soon
You're gonna taste the grass
A man inside a room is shaking hands with other men
This is how it happens
Our world under command
Shake it, shake it baby
Shake your ass out in that street
You're gonna make us scream someday
You're gonna make us weak
You're gonna make us scream someday
You're gonna make it big
This is how it happens
Our carefully laid plans
Shake it, shake it baby
Shake your ass out in that street
You're gonna make us scream someday
You're gonna make it big
You love so deep, so tender
Your people and your land
You love 'em 'till they can't recall
Who they are again
Work it, work it baby
Work your way 'round that room
You're gonna make it big some day
You're gonna make a boom
But I am
But I am
But I am not a number, not a name
But I am
But I am
But I am a carefully laid plan
Shake what your mama gave you
You know that it won't last
You're gonna taste the ground real soon
You're gonna taste the grass
A man inside a room is shaking hands with other men
This is how it happens
Our world under command
Shake it, shake it baby
Shake your ass out in that street
You're gonna make us scream someday
You're gonna make us weak
You're gonna make us scream someday
You're gonna make it big
Lyrics submitted by incurable_humanist, edited by septen, Ladybird19
Ballad Of A Politician Lyrics as written by Regina Spektor
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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.
Cajun Girl
Little Feat
Little Feat
Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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/
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.
there's something about when regina swears or says something provocative-ish that is just like alskdfjal;siduf. i can't explain it but i love ittttt haha (: i think anyone else would think i was a freakk for saying that but i think any other hardcore regina fan would agree (:
i can't wait for this song to come out! hopefully it will- cause i also always have wished she did a demo version of i cut off my hair.. ughhhhhhh...
im in the "i just love this song" stage- not the "im gonna decode it" but i cant wait to hear people's take!!!