"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.
When I wake up
When I am not asleep
Sometime between the night and the day
The Creepy Weeper's calling
and reaching out his hands to me
the longest arm of all
Then he tells me
exactly what to do
for you
who need me most of all
and says if I should grow up
we'll lose the perfect love
he says
I'm made up out of them
I am a fake
I am a ripoff
I will definitely shit on you to get off
When my life is over
I'll think about the day
and joy that I created maybe just for you
Eventually,
he says the strongest walls will fall
and show the monkey (that's me)
Give them the gift of knowing
the truth behind the dream
they love much more than you and me
I am unreal
I am pretentious
I am definitely far beyond redemption
But when I finally wake up
there's nothing else to do
but write a silly song
and sing it just for you
YOU and ME!
ME and ME!
When you think about me
and what I seem to be
You'll see that life is mainly me
I am the world
I am the real one
I will definitely step on bugs (and kill them)
But in this voice I'm thinking
I know just what to do
I'll make a perfect turd and sell it
just for you
I am a sponge
I am a pissant
I am definitely enclosed by sycophants
But if my tongue's wisdom
fall underneath your ears
I'll try forgiveness in me
just for you
I am a worm
I am a goofball
I am definitely not there when the poop falls
But there is a feeling in me
that elevates my soul
when I wallow in self pity
just for you
I am a flake
I am a donut
I am definitely whinier with no nuts
But sometimes I look up
and feel the sun on me
and know it is a perfect world
(it has to be!)
yes, I know it is a perfect world
it has to be!
When I am not asleep
Sometime between the night and the day
The Creepy Weeper's calling
and reaching out his hands to me
the longest arm of all
Then he tells me
exactly what to do
for you
who need me most of all
and says if I should grow up
we'll lose the perfect love
he says
I'm made up out of them
I am a fake
I am a ripoff
I will definitely shit on you to get off
When my life is over
I'll think about the day
and joy that I created maybe just for you
Eventually,
he says the strongest walls will fall
and show the monkey (that's me)
Give them the gift of knowing
the truth behind the dream
they love much more than you and me
I am unreal
I am pretentious
I am definitely far beyond redemption
But when I finally wake up
there's nothing else to do
but write a silly song
and sing it just for you
YOU and ME!
ME and ME!
When you think about me
and what I seem to be
You'll see that life is mainly me
I am the world
I am the real one
I will definitely step on bugs (and kill them)
But in this voice I'm thinking
I know just what to do
I'll make a perfect turd and sell it
just for you
I am a sponge
I am a pissant
I am definitely enclosed by sycophants
But if my tongue's wisdom
fall underneath your ears
I'll try forgiveness in me
just for you
I am a worm
I am a goofball
I am definitely not there when the poop falls
But there is a feeling in me
that elevates my soul
when I wallow in self pity
just for you
I am a flake
I am a donut
I am definitely whinier with no nuts
But sometimes I look up
and feel the sun on me
and know it is a perfect world
(it has to be!)
yes, I know it is a perfect world
it has to be!
Lyrics submitted by teiladnam
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
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.
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”
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.
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.