"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.
Couldn't ask for a better day, two by two
To the ring to the right point of view
Each retreat to the corner that's defined by you
To the ring to the right point of
Lonely reign
She is the boxer, she knows
When and where to strike
He is the boxer, he knows
No peaceful sleep tonight
Caught the downfall of Pete and May, Ryan too
He did not approve of Kayleigh's mood
Doctor Mike was fight or flight at Dundrum School
To the ring to the right point of
No return, no passion left to burn
The boxers grow weary
Their eyesight blurry view
Lonely reign
She is the boxer, she knows
When and where to strike
He is the boxer, he knows
No peaceful sleep tonight
All's quiet on the front
Smokey room
Boxer standing tall, peering through
Finding no one left to fight
What to do?
To the ring to the right point of view
Lonely reign
She is the boxer, she knows
When and where to strike
He is the boxer, he knows
No peaceful sleep tonight
Lonely reign
Lonely reign
Lonely reign
To the ring to the right point of view
Each retreat to the corner that's defined by you
To the ring to the right point of
Lonely reign
She is the boxer, she knows
When and where to strike
He is the boxer, he knows
No peaceful sleep tonight
Caught the downfall of Pete and May, Ryan too
He did not approve of Kayleigh's mood
Doctor Mike was fight or flight at Dundrum School
To the ring to the right point of
No return, no passion left to burn
The boxers grow weary
Their eyesight blurry view
Lonely reign
She is the boxer, she knows
When and where to strike
He is the boxer, he knows
No peaceful sleep tonight
All's quiet on the front
Smokey room
Boxer standing tall, peering through
Finding no one left to fight
What to do?
To the ring to the right point of view
Lonely reign
She is the boxer, she knows
When and where to strike
He is the boxer, he knows
No peaceful sleep tonight
Lonely reign
Lonely reign
Lonely reign
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
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.
Carbon Leaf rocks. I saw them for the first time at a school dance that I went to. They really got everyone moving, and now everyone from my school who went to the concert is totally obsessed with them. I can't wait to get a chance to see them again.
Carbon Leaf definitely rocks and they're really nice guys, too. I just wish that people actually listened to some of their other songs and not just The Boxer. Don't get me wrong...it's a great song, but they have so many other great songs.
Definitely one of the coolest bands around today. Last year, the drama department at my school got invited to a competition in Scotland, and we were having trouble raising money, so Carbonleaf agreed to play a benefit show in our gym. Not only did they play the show, but they announced on stage that they would be using half of the money they made that night from ticket sales and CD sales and whatnot to press a special CD of the performance to be sold only at my school, and that all profits from the CDs would be donated back to the drama department.
How amazingly cool is that? They raised an incredible amount of extra money for us, and I have one of a very small number of special release albums autographed by Barry... So fucking cool....
He did not approve of Callie's mood
It's actually spelled Kailey. I would change it, but I can't seem to find out how.
According to the band, this song is about what happens when girls and boys don't get along. I think the boxing metaphor is great for so many people i know...
I was this band at Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA. They are pretty good and I bought one of their cds with this song on it. It rules!
They were at the Musikfest in Bethlehem? My god, what have I done. I never go to that Musikfest. I live in Northampton, so damned close. I wish I'd known. sigh
hehe... I used to live in slatington, but now i live in collegeville near philadelphia. I still go every year. It rules, and so does celtic fest! occasionally they get some big acts; last year they had fuel, this year they have lifehouse, hootie and the blow fish, live, etc.
Carbon leaf rocks! I love this song.
I've got every album.. as far as I knew, I didn't think this was their "hit" song. This song is great. This album is great. This band is amazing.