"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.
Swinging in the backyard
Pull up in your fast car whistling my name
Open up a beer
And you say, "Get over here," and play a video game
I'm in his favorite sun dress
Watching me get undressed, take that body downtown
I say, "You da bestest"
Lean in for a big kiss, put his favorite perfume on
"Go play your video game"
It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on earth with you
Tell me all the things you want to do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey, is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
And baby, now you do
Singing in the old bars
Swinging with the old stars
Living for the fame
Kissing in the blue dark
Playing pool and wild darts
Video games
He holds me in his big arms
Drunk and I am seeing stars
This is all I think of
Watching all our friends fall
In and out of Old Paul's
This is my idea of fun
Playing video games
It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on earth with you
Tell me all the things you want to do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey, is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby now you do (now you do)
It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on earth with you
Tell me all the things you want to do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey, is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do
(Now you do, now you do, now you do)
Now you do
(Now you do, now you do, now you do)
Pull up in your fast car whistling my name
Open up a beer
And you say, "Get over here," and play a video game
I'm in his favorite sun dress
Watching me get undressed, take that body downtown
I say, "You da bestest"
Lean in for a big kiss, put his favorite perfume on
"Go play your video game"
It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on earth with you
Tell me all the things you want to do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey, is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
And baby, now you do
Singing in the old bars
Swinging with the old stars
Living for the fame
Kissing in the blue dark
Playing pool and wild darts
Video games
He holds me in his big arms
Drunk and I am seeing stars
This is all I think of
Watching all our friends fall
In and out of Old Paul's
This is my idea of fun
Playing video games
It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on earth with you
Tell me all the things you want to do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey, is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby now you do (now you do)
It's you, it's you, it's all for you
Everything I do
I tell you all the time
Heaven is a place on earth with you
Tell me all the things you want to do
I heard that you like the bad girls, honey, is that true?
It's better than I ever even knew
They say that the world was built for two
Only worth living if somebody is loving you
Baby, now you do
(Now you do, now you do, now you do)
Now you do
(Now you do, now you do, now you do)
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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.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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.
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
I think the guy doesn't care for her much - she's trying to get him to love her. Trying to convince them: "They say that the world was built for two, Only worth living if somebody is loving you"
Trying to persuade him with perfumes, big kisses, getting undressed, pretending to be a 'bad girl'. But he keeps playing the videogames...
She even tries to like the videogames too, but I think she knows that the guy doesn't really like her. He is ignoring her.
The fact that she references the song Fast Car cleverly tells you in two words all you need to know about the guy she's in love with. <br /> <br /> The singer of Fast Car fell in love with a guy, and ran away with him from her deadbeat father, only to find that he was just as bad. I guess she's implying by saying he drives a fast car that he's like the guy in that song - a deadbeat.
@darkfrankhs I think that's a perceptive take on the song. The fact she says "I heard you like the bad girls" implies she's a little threatened by his reputation
I think this a melancholy tune about a girl who loves a guy who isn't that nice to her. She tries to please him wearing his favourite dress and perfume. "whistling my name" suggest he calls to her and she runs to him like a dog to his master. They lyrics "Watching me get undressed Take that body downtown" suggest at a darkness. "They say that the world was built for two Only worth living if somebody is loving you" suggest that she thinks she will only be happy if she is with someone. The reference to video games might mean he plays her like she is a game or it might be that she less important to him than video games.
I'm going to give my opinion on video games, and I've probably listened to the song over a hundred times. When the song first came out I remember reading an interview or article where Lana explains how it's about two people. One guy she's actually currently in a relationship with. The other is an old relationship that she's obviously still thinking about the guy, and wishing things had turned out differently. She went onto say that the verses are about how it actually was with the one guy and then the chorus is how she actually wished it had been with the previous relationship. From the lyrics you can grasp that the current relationship is kind of becoming tedious. But if you actually pay attention to the lyrics you will pick up that she uses two different possessive adjectives "his" and "your". With that in mind if you look at the lyrics it makes sense because even though she's with one guy everything she's doing subconsciously is for the other.
Swinging in the backyard Pull up in your fast car whistling my name Open up a beer And you say get over here and play a video game (This is what actually happened.. "your")
I'm in his favorite sun dress Watching me get undressed take that body downtown (She's in his, meaning the other guys favorite sundress)
I say you the bestest Lean in for a big kiss put his favorite perfume on (She says he's the best and is putting on a facade of total happiness, yet she still puts the other guys favorite perfume on)
Like previously stated the chorus is about the old relationship and how she wished it had been. It correlates with how she referenced it in the verses, how she's doing things for the other guy even though she's in a relationship with the one. She's putting on his favorite sundress and perfume.
It's you, it's you, it's all for you Everything I do I tell you all the time Heaven is a place on earth with you Tell me all the things you want to do I heard that you like the bad girls honey, is that true? It's better than I ever even knew They say that the world was built for two Only worth living if somebody is loving you Baby now you do
Even though she's in one relationship, she's still doing everything for the old one.
According to an article posted on the website Dazed Digital:
At the same time, she was dealing with the fallout from two broken relationships, so she took Parker’s template and wrote down what was on her mind.
“The verse was about the way things were with one person, and the chorus was the way that I wished things had really been with another person, who I thought about for a long time,” she says, breaking into an acapella of the song. “‘Swinging in the backyard, pull up in your fast car, whistling my name’. That was what happened, you know? He’d come home and I’d see him. But then the chorus, ‘Heaven is a place on earth with you, tell me all the things you wanna do’ wasn’t like that. That was the way that I wished it was — the melody sounds so compelling and heavenly because I wanted it to be that way. The verse is more matter-of-fact because that’s how it was. It’s a mix of memories and the way I wished it could have been. Just because things happened a certain way doesn’t mean that that’s the way that they are. It really is what you choose to think about. Bad things happen every day but you’re not going to be any happier thinking about them. So I don’t think about them. I don’t have that luxury any more. Some people say that ‘Video Games’ stops them in their tracks; it’s that kind of song. It’s just really sad."
@wednesday181 Good info. It's worth noting that if you had the ability to insert your wishes into the fabric of a harsh reality you could control it - like life is a video game.
According to Lana herself: "It’s just about this guy I had been seeing and the way our relationship was at the time. It was a time in my life when I had let go of my own personal career ambitions and just enjoyed being with him at home when he’d come home from work and play video games. I’d write while I’d watch him. I think when I wrote that song I was just reflecting on the sweetness of it, but also the fact that there was something else I was longing for at the same time. Thematically, it feels personal to me. I wouldn’t have thought that that was the song that people responded to. That is why I get so emotional and happy when I sing it. Because it is a gift for someone like me. Melodically and thematically, Video Games is a perfect representation of me."
@karolinaa do you have a link to the source??
I'm kind of saddened by all these dark/negative interpretations... I was feeling a melancholic happiness, but not emotional abuse. The song is kind of ruined for me now...
I was feeling a melancholy towards a simple happiness. When putting on his favorite dress made her feel like a million dollars, and happiness was in the little things; hanging out together, having fun with friends. When at the end of the day, happiness was simple, and now she has bigger worries.
I could relate to it because me and my boyfriend have a lot of financial struggle at the moment, but still happiness seems such a strong and simple thing when we play video games together or have drinks with our wonderful friends and family. That dispite the sorrows we carry, maling ourselves and each other happy together with little things is still possible. We can't buy new clothes but when I put on that dress we both love I still feel like the richest woman on earth.
I guess people hear what they can relate to. No doubt I would have heard more sadness in it two years ago when I was still involved with an emotionally abusive guy. It's all about where your own mind is at, too. I just hear "heaven is a place on earth with you" above all other insinuations.
I know in an interview Lana Del Rey was quoted saying that singing this song still makes her cry.
I think its about loving a guy, they seem young and he does not pay much attention to her, he does not understand how much she's trying to get his attention....she wears her best dress and all that and all he see's are his friends and alcohol and games. she's describing life as a game, her relationship with him as a game. lovely song, i find its very similar to "fade into you" you Muzzy Star.
I think it's such a sad song. It sounds like she loves him but is trying to convince herself it's mutual. I think it's a "oh we're so in love" song but the tone of the tune and certain clues in the lyrics make you realise there is something darker going on.
I also think that there is something darker going on...something we won't find in the lyrcis. I think Lana Del Rey is telling us a true tragedy and only she knows the true extent and meaning. I do not mean that Lana herself has experienced it, but she knows, in our world are stories, like the one she tolds us in her song. <br /> <br /> I absolutely agree with laurajaneface.<br /> <br /> Greetings from Germany...<br /> <br /> P.S. I love this song...it's special and it's a long time ago I heard a song that touched me like Lana Del Rey's 'Videogames'.
I feel like this song was was written for a couple who were deeply in love but lost each other. "They say that the world was built for two. Only worth living if somebody is loving you." "Heaven is place on Earth with you." I love this song. It's such a beautifully tragic story, being in love with someone you can't be with, losing the one you love.