"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.
Take me with you when you go, girl
Take me anywhere you go
I've got nothin' keeping me, here
Take me with you when you go
I got a feelin' my mind's in the sky
And I can't catch a breath or a break
Like a guy who's strangled and begging
For help, not attention
And then, not to mention, the pain that is mine
And the thought of not knowing
That what's goin' on my eyes
Or my hands could be robbin' without any knowledge
Or knowing that helpin' yourself could be hurtin' or harmin' someone
I got a feelin' my mind's in the sky
And I can't catch a breath or a break
Like a guy who's strangled and begging
For help, not attention
And then, not to mention, the pain that is mine
And the thought of not knowing
That what's goin' on my eyes
Or my hands could be robbin' without any knowledge
Or knowing that helpin' yourself could be hurtin' or harmin' someone
Take me with you when you go, girl
Take me anywhere you go
Take me anywhere you go
I've got nothin' keeping me, here
Take me with you when you go
I got a feelin' my mind's in the sky
And I can't catch a breath or a break
Like a guy who's strangled and begging
For help, not attention
And then, not to mention, the pain that is mine
And the thought of not knowing
That what's goin' on my eyes
Or my hands could be robbin' without any knowledge
Or knowing that helpin' yourself could be hurtin' or harmin' someone
I got a feelin' my mind's in the sky
And I can't catch a breath or a break
Like a guy who's strangled and begging
For help, not attention
And then, not to mention, the pain that is mine
And the thought of not knowing
That what's goin' on my eyes
Or my hands could be robbin' without any knowledge
Or knowing that helpin' yourself could be hurtin' or harmin' someone
Take me with you when you go, girl
Take me anywhere you go
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
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Midnight
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Midnight” is a song about finding a love that is so true that it provides a calming feeling through every storm. Ed Sheeran reflects on his good fortunes in landing someone with such peace and support and speaks of not fearing the dark days because he knows they’ll all end in the safety nets of her arms.
“Well, good morning there / What a way to start the day / With everything laid bare,” Ed Sheeran sings in the first verse, enthusiastic to be waking up beside his woman. He apologizes for missing her calls in the second verse and promises to return them because for him, speaking to her is the most important thing. “Well, I get lost inside my head / In this chaos, you’re my calm / And I will find my feet again / ‘Cause еven the worst days of my life will always еnd / At midnight in your arms,” sings Ed Sheeran in the chorus, revelling in his good luck.