The lyrics of "Fast Cars" by U2 delve into themes of modern anxiety, societal disconnection, and a yearning for emotional connection amidst overwhelming distractions.
Fast Cars was an extra song included on the end of some versions of U2's How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. The answer to how one does indeed dismantle an atomic bomb is found in this song, with the answer being, with love.
The opening verses highlight a sense of invasion and surveillance in daily life, with mentions of cell phones, CCTV, and media like CNBC and pornography, all contributing to a culture of constant stimulation and information overload. Bono describes a world where external distractions dominate, but at the core of it, there is a longing for genuine human connection.
The lines "All I want is a picture of you" and "All I want is to get right next to you" convey a deep desire to escape the barrage of noise and find solace in intimacy, symbolized by a personal keepsake—a locket. Yet, there is also an awareness that superficial distractions, like the "fast cars," only exacerbate the inner turmoil and do not lead to fulfillment.
The phrase "to dismantle an atomic bomb" serves as a powerful metaphor for deconstructing the destructive elements in both the personal and societal realms. In this context, the bomb can symbolize the emotional and psychological weight the speaker carries, a burden that modern distractions like fast cars, pills, and constant media can't alleviate. The desert imagery evokes isolation and emptiness, suggesting that despite being surrounded by the noise and speed of modern life, the speaker feels a deep sense of disconnection. The attempts to self-medicate or escape through materialism and consumption—represented by fast cars and the stock market—only deepen the alienation.
In the latter half of the song, the lyrics emphasize the contrast between superficial coping mechanisms and the need for genuine connection. The lines "Not used to talking to somebody in the body" hint at the difficulty of engaging authentically in a world where communication often feels disembodied or detached.
The repeated refrain "Don't you worry 'bout your mind" speaks to the internal struggle of maintaining mental peace in a chaotic world. The song reflects a yearning to strip away the false comforts of modern life and reconnect with a simpler, more grounded sense of self and others. The childlike voice mentioned towards the end of the song symbolizes innocence and a lost sense of wonder, overshadowed by the complexities and artificialities of adulthood.
"Fast Cars" Song Lyrics U2
I need to know who's calling
My garden's overgrown
I go out on my belly crawling
I got CCTV, pornography, CNBC
I got the nightly news to get to know the enemy
All I want is a picture of you
All I want is to get right next to you
All I want is your face in the locket
Picture in my pocket
Take a pill to stop it
I know these fast cars will do me no good
I'm going nowhere
Where I am, it is a lot of fun
There in the desert
To dismantle an atomic bomb
I watch you shadow box
Check the stocks, I'm in detox
Want a lot of what you got
What you got can make this stop
All I want is a picture of you
All I want is to get right next to you
All I want is your picture in a locket
Your face in my pocket
Take a pill to stop it
I know these fast cars will do me no good
Child inside
Don't you worry 'bout your mind
Don't you worry 'bout my mind
Don't you worry 'bout your mind
Don't you worry 'bout your mind
You should worry 'bout the day
That the pain, it goes away
You know, I miss mine sometimes
The sides are much too big
There is no fiction
That will truly fit this situation
I'm documenting every detail
Every conversation
Not used to talking to somebody in the body
Somebody in the body
Somebody in the body
0 Achtung Babies:
Post a Comment