"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.
The quiet war has begun with silent weapons
And the new slavery is to keep the people
Poor and stupid; "Novus Ordo Seclorum"
How can there be any logic in biological war?
We all know this is wrong, but the New World Order's
Beating down the door
Oh, something needs to be done
There was a king (an evil king), who dreamt the wickedest of dreams
An ancient mystery no prophet could interpret
Of seven years of famine; the wolf is at my door
As predicted years ago: that that was, that is, that is no more
The word predicts the future and tells the truth about the past
Of how the world leaders will hail the new Pharaoh
The eighth false king to the throne
Washington is next!
Disengage their minds, sabotage their health
Promote sex, and war, and violence in the kindergartens
Blame the parents and teachers; it's their fault; "Annuit Coeptis"
Attack the church dynamic, attack the family
Keep the public undisciplined till nothing left is sacred, and
The "have-nots" get hooked and have to go to the "haves" just to cop a fix
I am the king (an evil king), who dreams the wickedest of dreams
An ancient mystery, nobody could interpret
Of seven empires falling; the wolf is at my door
As predicted years ago: that that was, that is, that is no more
The word predicts my future and tells the truth about my past
Of how the world's leaders are waiting to usher in
The eighth world power of modern Rome
Washington is next!
There was a king (an evil king), who dreamt the wickedest of dreams
An ancient mystery, no prophet could interpret
Of seven empires falling; the wolf is at my door
As predicted years ago: that that was, that is, that is no more
I am a king, and I dream the wildest dreams
And nobody could interpret
Seven empires falling; the wolf is at my door
Oh, that that was, that is, that is no more
There's something at my door, some ancient mystery
The future tells the truth about the past
And I'm the eighth false king to the throne
I've got you in my cross hairs; now, ain't that a bitch?
Washington, you're next!
And the new slavery is to keep the people
Poor and stupid; "Novus Ordo Seclorum"
How can there be any logic in biological war?
We all know this is wrong, but the New World Order's
Beating down the door
Oh, something needs to be done
There was a king (an evil king), who dreamt the wickedest of dreams
An ancient mystery no prophet could interpret
Of seven years of famine; the wolf is at my door
As predicted years ago: that that was, that is, that is no more
The word predicts the future and tells the truth about the past
Of how the world leaders will hail the new Pharaoh
The eighth false king to the throne
Washington is next!
Disengage their minds, sabotage their health
Promote sex, and war, and violence in the kindergartens
Blame the parents and teachers; it's their fault; "Annuit Coeptis"
Attack the church dynamic, attack the family
Keep the public undisciplined till nothing left is sacred, and
The "have-nots" get hooked and have to go to the "haves" just to cop a fix
I am the king (an evil king), who dreams the wickedest of dreams
An ancient mystery, nobody could interpret
Of seven empires falling; the wolf is at my door
As predicted years ago: that that was, that is, that is no more
The word predicts my future and tells the truth about my past
Of how the world's leaders are waiting to usher in
The eighth world power of modern Rome
Washington is next!
There was a king (an evil king), who dreamt the wickedest of dreams
An ancient mystery, no prophet could interpret
Of seven empires falling; the wolf is at my door
As predicted years ago: that that was, that is, that is no more
I am a king, and I dream the wildest dreams
And nobody could interpret
Seven empires falling; the wolf is at my door
Oh, that that was, that is, that is no more
There's something at my door, some ancient mystery
The future tells the truth about the past
And I'm the eighth false king to the throne
I've got you in my cross hairs; now, ain't that a bitch?
Washington, you're next!
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.
"The new slavery is to keep the people poor and stupid" is my favorite line in the song. It's about how the government uses the news media to brainwash people while the corporations that run the country influence politicians with monetary contributions to economically and socially oppress the American people. If we all spend our money on frivolous things we don't need and spend our spare time watching television, thus being kept "poor and stupid" we'll have no means to change. I really like the line about the "have nots" and "haves" like pre-communist Russia. In the U.S. today we live in a society of haves and have-nots and there are devices in place within our media communications systems to ensure that the rich get richer as the poor continue to be poor.
there has been changes to the studio version
The quiet war has begun with silent weapons And the new slavery is to keep the people Poor and stupid, "Novus Ordo Seclorum"
How can there be any logic in biological war? We all know this is wrong, but the New World Order's Beating down the door, oh something needs to be done
There was a King (an evil king) who dreamt the wickedest of dreams An ancient mystery no prophet could interpret Of seven years of famine, the wolf is at the door As predicted years ago, that that was, that is, that is no more
The word predicts the future and tells the truth about the past Of how the world leaders would hail the new Pharaoh Eighth False King to the throne, Washington is Next!
Disengage their minds, sabotage their health Promote sex, and war, and violence in the kindergartens Blame the parents and teachers; it's their fault, "Annuit Coeptis" Attack the church dynamic, attack the family Keep the public undisciplined till nothing left is sacred and The "have-nots" get hooked and have to go to the "haves" just to cop a fix
I am the King(an evil king) who dreams the wickedest of dreams An ancient mystery nobody could interpret Of seven empires falling, the wolf is at my door As predicted years ago, that that was, that is, that is no more
The word predicts my future and tells the truth about my past Of how the world leaders are waiting to usher in The Eighth world power of modern Rome, Washington is Next!
There was a King (an evil king) who dreamt the wickedest of dreams An ancient mystery no prophet could interpret Of seven empires falling, the wolf is at my door As predicted years ago, that that was, that is, that is no more
I am a King and I dream the wildest dreams, and nobody could interpret Seven empires fallen, the wolf is at my door Oh, that that was, that is, that is no more
I've got you in my crosshairs An't that a bitch? Washington, you're next!
I think there's a lot more to the song.
I think this song looks into the past at all the horrible things that have happened to us (WW1, WW2, etc.) and then looks into the future asking 'Has anything really changed? Has it really? Or are we just telling ourselves that?'.
'The quiet war has begun with silent weapons' That sounds like the Cold War.
Anyway... This song is awesome! It just makes me want to jump up and start head banging!
The song relates to Bible prophecy.
'Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars' is a document that was allegedly found in an IBM copier that had been purchased at a surplus sale. It is an 'elite blueprint' that gives plans for biological warfare, economic engineering and killing off the public. paranoiamagazine.com/silentweapons.html
'Novus Ordo Seclorum' is Latin for New Order of the Ages or 'New World Order'. It appears on the US Great Seal and the back of the dollar bill.
'Annuit Coeptis' is Latin for 'He has favored our undertakings' and is also on the Great Seal.
In Genesis 41 of the Bible the Pharoah had a dream about seven skinny cows eating seven fat cows, and seven thin ears of corn swallowing up seven plump ears of corn. The Pharoah is the 'evil king' and that dream is 'the wickedest of dreams'. In this story 'no prophet could interpret' the dream until Joseph was sent for, and he told the Pharoah that the dream was a prophecy of 'seven years of famine'.
This song interprets this part of the Bible as not just referring to the past, but predicting the future: 'The word predicts the future and tells the truth about the past'.
The lines 'Of how the world leaders are waiting to usher in the Eighth False King to the throne' refer to a prophecy in the book of Revelation:
"And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space." -Revelation 17:10
'Oh, that that was, that is, that is no more' comes from the next verse: "And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition." -Revelation 17:11
Good stuff, a few more:<br /> <br />
I love this song. I like how Dave's voice has changed live. Big props to 'deth for another classic.
27 days till UA
THank you very much, I've been pulling my hair out trying to find the studio version, and listening to these stupid bastards that don't understand Daves sarcasm. ugh what a releif, thanks mate.
Holy SHIT! I absolutely love this song! This gonna be one of the BEST albums they've made in a loooong time. No doubt. I think it will be a close second to Rust In Peace. I've already preordered my copy! May 15 can't come soon enough!
Metal's Lyrics are right, the song is up on the Megadeth Website.
Hey... Has anyone else noticed that some of the riffs sound very similar to their old song Tornado Of Souls? Found it kinda odd. Not that it's a bad thing, mind you! At first listen, they sound nothing alike, but if you listen very closely, they do. It's kinda cool how Megadeth is creative enough to take one song's sound, reuse it 17 years later, and come up with something totally different.
As far as what the song means... Sounds like a song about the birth of a new totalitarian government in, you guessed it, Washington. I think it has something to do with the idea that all governments eventually become power-hungry oppressors, even if temporarily.