"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.
Where did we come from?
Why are we here?
Where do we go when we die?
What lies beyond
And what lay before?
Is anything certain in life?
They say, life is too short
The here and the now
And you're only given one shot
But could there be more
Have I lived before
Or could this be all that we've got?
If I die tomorrow
I'd be all right
Because I believe
That after we're gone
The spirit carries on
I used to be frightened of dying
I used to think death was the end
But that was before
I'm not scared anymore
I know that my soul will transcend
I may never find all the answers
I may never understand why
I may never prove
What I know to be true
But I know that I still have to try
If I die tomorrow
I'd be alright
Because I believe
That after we're gone
The spirit carries on
Move on, be brave
Don't weep at my grave
Because I am no longer here
But please never let
Your memory of me disappear
Safe in the light that surrounds me
Free of the fear and the pain
My questioning mind
Has helped me to find
The meaning in my life again
Victoria's real
I finally feel
At peace with the girl in my dreams
And now that I'm here
It's perfectly clear
I found out what all of this means
If I die tomorrow
I'd be alright
Because I believe
That after we're gone
The spirit carries on
Why are we here?
Where do we go when we die?
What lies beyond
And what lay before?
Is anything certain in life?
They say, life is too short
The here and the now
And you're only given one shot
But could there be more
Have I lived before
Or could this be all that we've got?
If I die tomorrow
I'd be all right
Because I believe
That after we're gone
The spirit carries on
I used to be frightened of dying
I used to think death was the end
But that was before
I'm not scared anymore
I know that my soul will transcend
I may never find all the answers
I may never understand why
I may never prove
What I know to be true
But I know that I still have to try
If I die tomorrow
I'd be alright
Because I believe
That after we're gone
The spirit carries on
Move on, be brave
Don't weep at my grave
Because I am no longer here
But please never let
Your memory of me disappear
Safe in the light that surrounds me
Free of the fear and the pain
My questioning mind
Has helped me to find
The meaning in my life again
Victoria's real
I finally feel
At peace with the girl in my dreams
And now that I'm here
It's perfectly clear
I found out what all of this means
If I die tomorrow
I'd be alright
Because I believe
That after we're gone
The spirit carries on
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
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,
Head > Heels
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Head > Heels” is a track that aims to capture what it feels like to experience romance that exceeds expectations. Ed Sheeran dedicates his album outro to a lover who has blessed him with a unique experience that he seeks to describe through the song’s nuanced lyrics.
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.
If this wasn't about the story, I would love to have this played at my funeral. It's an awesome song and I remember almost tearing up the first time I ever heard it. Although I love this song, I would recommend you check out the live version from score. John does a solo at the beginning that's just absolutely beautiful.
Still, fantastic song, fantastic band.
DREAM THEATER RULZ!
fuck up this song kicks misunderstood's ass DT rule
"Move on, be brave Don't weep at my grave Because I am no longer here But please never let Your memory of me disappear"---my all time favorite part of this amazing song.
Also, this song is about the fact that Nicholas want's to find out the rest of the story, and who murdered Victoria;
"I may never find all the answers I may never understand why I may never prove What I know to be true But I know that I still have to try"
But Victoria tells him she is satisfied and he should move on;
"Move on, be brave Don't weep at my grave Because I am no longer here But please never let Your memory of me disappear"
Then Nicholas is okay with that and becomes at peace.
This song is soooo great!!!
DT have very few songs that will fit a radio program if any at all...
Radios does a lot of breaks in the middle... Which is bad and I think that when one listens to Dream Theater, one need to be a little bit more concentrated, because there's more to the music than in your "regular" songs, DT has always put special notice to the music it self, it is part of what makes DT special.
I, for one, wouldn't mind if DT will never reach the radio, I don't think it should... People won't respect them they way they should.
This is the greatest DT song there is, if anyone is to dispute that, you ahve serious problems. John Petrucci is a genius. Period. Mike Portnoy is god. Period Myung and Rudess are the angels decended. Period Labrie sounds alright on this track. Period Nuff' said
Mr. Bean might want to listen to "Misunderstood." I think it's a great song, but how can you not laugh at it. There is the corny, "And, 'You're only given one SHaaat.'" I, at one point, would have sold my soul to be able to play the guitar solo in here. All the technical genius without the wankery that afflicts other rock solos.
I love this song. Portnoy is perfection.
Scenes from a Memory is my favorite album of all time (needess to say, also my favorite concept album) and this is one of the finest examples from it.