The Cruel Sea is a multi-ARIA Award winning 90s Australian rock/blues outfi… Read Full Bio ↴The Cruel Sea is a multi-ARIA Award winning 90s Australian rock/blues outfit. Originally an instrumental band focused on surf sounds, the addition of vocalist Tex Perkins (also a member of The Beasts of Bourbon and a solo artist) proved an inspired decision. Combining the charismatic Perkins with the highly talented musicians created an unstoppable force through much of the 90s. Members of the band continue to perform, though with the exception of Perkins, most activity is fairly low key.

James Cruikshank has recently been playing in Sydney with newly formed band, The Millionaires, which also includes Dave McCormack from Custard.

Too Fast For Me
The Cruel Sea Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Jet plains fly too high
Man wasn't meant to fly
Shall I tempt fate to say
Feels like I'm gonna die
In an aeroplane one day

New cars go too fast
Feels like my whole life's rushin past

Shall I tempt fate to say
Feels like I'm gonna die
In a fast car one day

Life maybe short but it's still too long
Some times I think it just goes on and on
And moves so slow in times of pain
Mostly though it just seems to stay the same

There's so much in this world for me to see
It's all fit together perfectly
With life and death
And the whole damn thing
I'm gonna drive through the country side
Hear the birds sing

It's all going to fast for me
Too fast for me
Too fast for me

(in high voice)
Jet plains fly too high
Man wasn't meant to fly
Shall I tempt fate to say
Feels like I'm gonna die
In an aeroplane one day

It's all going to fast for me

Too fast for me
It's all going way to fast for me

Overall Meaning

The Cruel Sea's song Too Fast For Me is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life, and how it can often feel like everything is moving too quickly. The lyrics talk about the dangers of technology and the fast pace of modern living, as the singer ponders the possibility of dying in a plane or car accident. The verses describe how life can sometimes feel too long, but can also be slow when experiences are painful. The chorus repeats the sentiment that everything is moving too quickly, and that the singer is struggling to keep up.

The first verse focuses on the dangers of flying, with the singer questioning whether humans were really meant to take to the skies. They wonder if it's tempting fate to fly in airplanes, and express a fear that they will die in a crash. The second verse shifts to driving, and how new cars can feel like they're moving too fast. The singer again questions whether it's tempting fate to drive so quickly, and expresses a similar fear of dying in a car accident. The pre-chorus suggests that time can feel endless when we're in pain, but that mostly it just seems to pass too quickly.

The final verse offers a glimpse of hope, as the singer talks about all the wonders in the world they have yet to see. They talk about how everything in life is interconnected, including both life and death. The line "I'm gonna drive through the countryside, hear the birds sing" suggests a desire to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the world. However, the chorus repeats the idea that everything is still moving too fast, leaving the singer feeling overwhelmed and unable to keep up.

Line by Line Meaning

Jet plains fly too high
The singer finds the altitude at which jets fly to be too high for human comfort.

Man wasn't meant to fly
The singer believes that humans were not created to fly and that the advancements in technology that allow people to do so are unnatural.

Shall I tempt fate to say
The singer questions whether it is risky to vocalize their fear of flying and having a premonition of death.

Feels like I'm gonna die
The fear of dying in a plane crash is a real and present feeling for the artist.

In an aeroplane one day
The artist firmly believes that they will board an airplane someday and that the idea is terrifying.

New cars go too fast
The speed of new cars is too high and makes the singer feel like life is accelerating beyond their comfort zone.

Feels like my whole life's rushin past
The singer perceives life as moving too quickly, as if it is slipping through their fingers.

Life maybe short but it's still too long
The artist questions the duration of life and whether it is too long or too short.

Some times I think it just goes on and on
The artist sometimes feels like life is a never-ending cycle, with no beginning or end.

And moves so slow in times of pain
During difficult periods, it seems like life is decelerating to a sluggish pace, amplifying the feeling of suffering.

Mostly though it just seems to stay the same
For the most part, life stays the same, with little variation or excitement.

There's so much in this world for me to see
The artist feels like there is an endless list of experiences and sights they want to encounter while alive.

It's all fit together perfectly
Despite the challenges and obstacles, life is functioning as a harmonious machine with a perfect design.

With life and death
Life is intertwined with death, and one cannot exist without the other.

And the whole damn thing
The entirety of life, with all its complexities and simplicities, is a unified entity.

I'm gonna drive through the countryside
The artist plans to travel and experience the natural beauty of the countryside.

Hear the birds sing
The sound of birds singing is a peaceful and calming experience the artist hopes to encounter on their travels.

It's all going too fast for me
The pace of life is overwhelming for the singer, and they feel like they can't keep up with it.

Too fast for me
Repetition of the previous line to emphasize the sentiment.

It's all going way too fast for me
A restatement of the feeling of being overwhelmed by life's speed, with added emphasis.

Contributed by Taylor B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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