"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.
Sweet child in time
You'll see the line
The line that's drawn between
Good and bad
See the blind man
Shooting at the world
Bullets flying
Oh, taking toll
If you've been bad
Oh, Lord, I bet you have
And you've not been hit
Oh, by flying lead
You'd better close your eyes
Oh
Bow your head
Wait for the ricochet
Sweet child in time
You'll see the line
The line that's drawn between
Good and bad
See the blind man
Shooting at the world
Bullets flying
Oh, taking toll
If you've been bad
Lord, I bet you have
And you've not been hit
Oh, by flying lead
You'd better close your eyes
Oh
Bow your head
Wait for the ricochet
You'll see the line
The line that's drawn between
Good and bad
See the blind man
Shooting at the world
Bullets flying
Oh, taking toll
If you've been bad
Oh, Lord, I bet you have
And you've not been hit
Oh, by flying lead
You'd better close your eyes
Oh
Bow your head
Wait for the ricochet
Sweet child in time
You'll see the line
The line that's drawn between
Good and bad
See the blind man
Shooting at the world
Bullets flying
Oh, taking toll
If you've been bad
Lord, I bet you have
And you've not been hit
Oh, by flying lead
You'd better close your eyes
Oh
Bow your head
Wait for the ricochet
Lyrics submitted by insurgento
Child in Time [Remastered 1995] Lyrics as written by Ian Gillan Jon Lord
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.
I Can't Go To Sleep
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
This song is written as the perspective of the boys in the street, as a whole, and what path they are going to choose as they get older and grow into men. (This is why the music video takes place in an orphanage.) The seen, and unseen collective suffering is imbedded in the boys’ mind, consciously or subconsciously, and is haunting them. Which path will the boys choose? Issac Hayes is the voice of reason, maybe God, the angel on his shoulder, or the voice of his forefathers from beyond the grave who can see the big picture and are pleading with the boys not to continue the violence and pattern of killing their brothers, but to rise above. The most beautiful song and has so many levels. Racism towards African Americans in America would not exist if everyone sat down and listened to this song and understood the history behind the words. The power, fear, pleading in RZA and Ghostface voices are genuine and powerful. Issac Hayes’ strong voice makes the perfect strong father figure, who is possibly from beyond the grave.
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 don't think this song is about the Vietnamese war, but rather war in general. The blind man is not just a person, or a country - it's mankind. Almost every nation has been in a conflict or war. And yes, some countries are more powerful than others, but in the end - what has war resolved?
"If you've been bad, Lord I bet you have And you've been hit by flying lead You'd better close your eyes and bow your head And wait for the ricochet"
Every country has sinned, some more than others. Nobody is innocent. Every action has a reaction - you shoot bullets blindly for unjustified reasons, and you are bound to have it ricochet back to you.
The lyrics alone make this song great, but what really sends it to one of the all-time best works of genius art is everything else in the song - from the captivating organ intro, to Blackmore's unreal guitar skills, to Gillain's extraordinary vocals, and the passion that brought it all together. Probably the best song ever.
@digitalblade Spot on mate. I subscribe everything you\'ve said about this song.
@digitalblade I personally believe this to be on a more personal level. Everything you have done wrong, will be munition for the blind man... (Lady justice) and even if you escape you will always have to look over your back.
Yeah you're right Flik.
I think the blind man shooting at the world is a metaphor for us detroying the world.
"If you've not been hit.....wait for the ricochet" basically means that even if you're not paying for it now, you will eventually - it will all come back to you.
lovely song. love gillian's voice especially in this song. the guy can really scream but it sounds damn good!! he can really give robert plant a run for his money!! ^_^
it's got damn good lyrics too! i never thought of the blind man as the USA but now that i think of it, it makes perfect sense. it's really cool!!
@Ereinion I don\'t think Plant\'s voice can even get close to the superb Gillan\'s voice. Cheers!.
I'm sure this is an anti-war song. I've grown up listening to this song, (off the Made In Japan album) and from a young age I've always thought the "blind man shooting at the world" was a metaphor for (not necessarily or specifically the US) but our world leaders who are fucking everything up. My dad has some Deep Purple DVDs and Ian Gillan talks about this song to the audience before they start playing it. He pretty much says it's a song about world affairs; of how it meant alot back when they wrote it, and of how it still has the same meaning now in the present.
Oh, for those of you who havn't heard the Made In Japan album, you MUST check this album out. The live version of Child In Time on that album is unlike anything you'll ever hear. Gillan's vocals on Child In Time are just out of this world... Nothing tops him. He puts Robert Plant to shame. If you don't believe me than check it out.
@Rabs You\'re so right about all of it!!!
I've seen Deep Purple and I've met Ian Gillan and Ian Paice, but never have I noticed how deep and almost religious these lyrics are until a few years ago. I believe that this song is about persuading and the devil. I think that The Lord is punishing the devil... I'm probably wrong
@.:Motley:. you\'re probably right.
@.:Motley:. you\'re probably right.
I think what Deep Purple means with child in time that the child growing up loses its innocence when he or she has to choose between doing good or doing bad. Bad people are blind and frustrated because they shoot at the world and other people. They make kills but everyone is at sooner or later once been bad, so everybody should wait for the ricochet or the bounce back of their bullets
It's an anti war song
@pablo Totally right in my opinion too.
beautiful song....! love it!!
Best song on the planet no doubt its amazing
The vocals in this song are so perfect, it has to be my favorite vocal performance ever. Even though the vocals only last for what, like a minute? Still it's such a beautiful song, I only wish it were longer.
@Muzzy There are covers to this song with much stronger vocals, like Petr Elfimov .