"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.
Go fast
Go slow
Go sly
Go low
Where the hell you want to be?
All systems intact
The red and the black
Black eventually
Go fast
Go slow
Go sly
Go low
Where the hell you want to be?
All systems intact
The red and the black
Black eventually
Count the numbers and the words
And the numbness in return
Go fast
Go slow
Go sly
Go low
Where the hell you want to be?
All systems intact
The red and the black
Black eventually
Get fat and waste
Get smashed in the face
Where the hell you want to be?
Go fast
Go slow
Go sly
Go low
Where the hell you want to be?
Count the numbers and return
Count the numbers and the words
And the numbness in return
They go four, three, two, one
Go fast
Go slow
Go sly
Go low
Where the hell you want to be?
Where the hell you want to be?
All systems intact
The red and the black
Black eventually
Go sly
Go low
Count the numbers and the words
And the numbness in return
They go four, three, two, one
If it only means
To sing loud
It's only trivia
So don't freak out
Go slow
Go sly
Go low
Where the hell you want to be?
All systems intact
The red and the black
Black eventually
Go fast
Go slow
Go sly
Go low
Where the hell you want to be?
All systems intact
The red and the black
Black eventually
Count the numbers and the words
And the numbness in return
Go fast
Go slow
Go sly
Go low
Where the hell you want to be?
All systems intact
The red and the black
Black eventually
Get fat and waste
Get smashed in the face
Where the hell you want to be?
Go fast
Go slow
Go sly
Go low
Where the hell you want to be?
Count the numbers and return
Count the numbers and the words
And the numbness in return
They go four, three, two, one
Go fast
Go slow
Go sly
Go low
Where the hell you want to be?
Where the hell you want to be?
All systems intact
The red and the black
Black eventually
Go sly
Go low
Count the numbers and the words
And the numbness in return
They go four, three, two, one
If it only means
To sing loud
It's only trivia
So don't freak out
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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.
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.
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.
Blue
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.
This song is about playing Trivial Pursuit and games of the like under the influence of mind-altering chemicals.
I always thought it was about a couple's relationship.