"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.
I can fly
But I want his wings
I can shine even in the darkness
But I crave the light that he brings
Revel in the songs that he sings
My angel Gabriel
I can love
But I need his heart
I am strong even on my own
But from him I never want to part
He's been there since the very start
My angel Gabriel
My angel Gabriel
Bless the day he came to be
Angel's wings carried him to me
Heavenly
I can fly
But I want his wings
I can shine even in the darkness
But I crave the light that he brings
Revel in the songs that he sings
My angel Gabriel
My angel Gabriel
My angel Gabriel
But I want his wings
I can shine even in the darkness
But I crave the light that he brings
Revel in the songs that he sings
My angel Gabriel
I can love
But I need his heart
I am strong even on my own
But from him I never want to part
He's been there since the very start
My angel Gabriel
My angel Gabriel
Bless the day he came to be
Angel's wings carried him to me
Heavenly
I can fly
But I want his wings
I can shine even in the darkness
But I crave the light that he brings
Revel in the songs that he sings
My angel Gabriel
My angel Gabriel
My angel Gabriel
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
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.
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.
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
Plastic Bag
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
“Plastic Bag” is a song about searching for an escape from personal problems and hoping to find it in the lively atmosphere of a Saturday night party. Ed Sheeran tells the story of his friend and the myriad of troubles he is going through. Unable to find any solutions, this friend seeks a last resort in a party and the vanity that comes with it.
“I overthink and have trouble sleepin’ / All purpose gone and don’t have a reason / And there’s no doctor to stop this bleedin’ / So I left home and jumped in the deep end,” Ed Sheeran sings in verse one. He continues by adding that this person is feeling the weight of having disappointed his father and doesn’t have any friends to rely on in this difficult moment. In the second verse, Ed sings about the role of grief in his friend’s plight and his dwindling faith in prayer. “Saturday night is givin’ me a reason to rely on the strobe lights / The lifeline of a promise in a shot glass, and I’ll take that / If you’re givin’ out love from a plastic bag,” Ed sings on the chorus, as his friend turns to new vices in hopes of feeling better.
This song is so hauntingly sad for some reason...I really love it. Her voice is from Heaven.
God, this song is so brilliant. When she says "wings" and it echoes, it sends shivers down my spine and I feel all goosebump-y wonderful. XD
So, what I think this song is about is the speaker (not necessarily the lady singing, god forgive me that I don't know her name) has found the one she feels that she's destined to be with, this "Gabriel" fella, but she's a strong woman and she doesn't want to change her lifestyle. She knows that she can make it without him even though she wants to be with him, thus the "I am strong even on my own / But from him I never want to part ". She's torn between giving in to what she really wants, a life with him, and the comfort of the life she's lived because she knows she'll be fine by herself. She also knows though, that being with him will give her something she's never had before, "I can love / But I need his heart ". So, I think it's ultimately about the speaker lady struggling to deny the love she feels for this man and failing in the end. After all, how could you deny your love for an angel?
^_^ And that's my little bit...
I concur with everygeek . she has quite a few songs that pertain to her child, pregnancy and miscariage. I beleive that the theme of this song is "unconditional love" the kind a mother has for her child. She is an adult that can shine, fly, love, stand without him, a parent is not suppose to be dependent on a child, it's the other way around. But still she craves to be with him, to hear his babbles, cries and songs...She is already complete but she loves and needs him by her side. I just had a baby and for me it was like falling in love with an angel God sent just for me, so I can see how this interpretation would fit.
@quaosqueen read this today, twelve years after you made the comment and i'm crying. whether it's what she meant or not, your words are so true. Love to you and your child and hope you both are doing well 12 years on.
As far as i'm aware the song was written by lou rhodes about her newly born son ( pregnant when recording the "What Sound" album )
Such a beautiful track and so universal - Its a pure love song at its most simple - Stunning track
I think this song is about being in denial about something that happened to you, and trying to get over it, by convincing yourself that you are better than you think you are. (I also think it is truly about the angel Gabriel)
I wrote the definity meaning of that song here: musicbanter.com/lyrics/Lamb-Gabriel.html
If you read it, it's that clear as posible! Amazing lyrics
indeed, nice song to dream away with only, im wondering who's gabriel.....
Gabriel is an archangel. <br />
Good question! Who's Gabriel?
this song brought me to tears...i don't know...it just did. i can relate to it right now....
this song brought me to tears...i don't know...it just did. i can relate to it right now....
Same here, this song just makes me cry over and over. I really wish I could be the Gabriel for someone, but hey... it's just a song.