"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.
Where do you go when heaven calls you
What do you do, who do you turn to
All over your knee(?) when they finally catch you
Don't stop moving they're right behind you
When theres no one left on this Earth you know who can say you care(?)
So just wake up, wake up, wake up
What is it like when hell surrounds you
How hot does it get I think I've already felt it
Is there any way out you better find one
Where do you go...(?)
Oh when theres no one here in this world of truth
Who knows firsthand so just wake up, wake up, wake up
What do you do, who do you turn to
All over your knee(?) when they finally catch you
Don't stop moving they're right behind you
When theres no one left on this Earth you know who can say you care(?)
So just wake up, wake up, wake up
What is it like when hell surrounds you
How hot does it get I think I've already felt it
Is there any way out you better find one
Where do you go...(?)
Oh when theres no one here in this world of truth
Who knows firsthand so just wake up, wake up, wake up
Lyrics submitted by Peppeche
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.
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”
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.
So,
{00:47} Where do you go when heaven calls you What do you do, who do you turn to How old will you be when they finally catch you Don't stop moving, they're right behind ya Where there's no one left on this Earth you know Who can save you kid so just wake up, wake up, wake up
What is it like when hell surrounds you How hot does it get I think I've already felt it Is there any way out you better find one Where do you go, down down the book said Oh where theres no one here in this world of truths Who knows firsthand so just wake up, wake up, wake up
Sounds to me like the worries of a sniper, who killes unsuspecting people that don't know he's there, about the possiblity of an afterlife, and what it might hold in store for him. This makes a lot of sense considering the two tracks before it are both about young men having to go to war and die, as is the last track.
I got the lyrics the best I could, the lyrics weren't anywhere else..
I heard this song for the first time after the band was interviewed by local Austin radio station 101X.
I'm hearing -
'how old will you be when they finally catch you'
and
'well there's no one left on this earth you know who will save you kid'
I agree with bocamelie.
Also i'm hearing -where do you go? down down the book says.
This song has got to be about Atheism, and the disbelief of Christianity.
God=The State=The Family