"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.
(this one's for moms, Ms. Linda Harwood, Ms. Kathy Hill, this is for you...)
I respect my mother
with every step i take
she was there for my first steps in the frist place
everybody wants out on their own
now that im grown i wanna be back home
in a world full of vipers
only my mothers love was righteous
i fell i been to hell and back 3 times i can never sum it up with these rhymes
lookin for a story to share, with somebody,
but they never seem to care
while im lookin for this person everywhere
im stupid cuz my mom is right here
life moves along so fast,
when i see real love at last it's past
that aint gonna happen to me
i can hear my conscious rappin to me
its like hey, you only got one real friend
from the cradle to the grave and back again
with unconditional love
thats my mother im speaking of...
(and thats just the way it is)
thats just the way it is
(my love will never change)
my love will never change
and thats just the way it is
momma...
and i know its true, even in my darkest time in my darkest hour when my heart is blind
and im giving nobody respect
my mothers there to put my ass in check
cuz she dont play that mr famous trash
she was puttin them diapers on my ass
shes seen every side of me
it dont matter how thuggish i try to be
N.A.W. every week in the backyard
now im in the big time trying to act hard
what mattered when i looked at years back?
was momma bringing them chairs back
supporting every dream i got
and best believe man i dreamed a lot
me & Rude Boy we tryin to tell ya
not a day goes by in life we dont feel ya
we aint taking nothin for granted
moms was on me so good i cant stand it
Mrs. Hill always greets me with a hug,
I see where Rudy got all his love
(and thats just the way it is)
thats just the way it is
(my love will never change)
my love will never change
and thats just the way it is
momma...
everybody around me, they use me & go for self
they want cash equity, bank and wealth
mom puts that on the shelf
all she cares about is my health
it all seems too good to me
as im battling life, momma's backin me
and she really only wants one thing of mine
just a little time
mother, in this world of stars
money and snakes and label wars
whatever else life puts me trhough
its all number 2 when it comes to you
and your love is all i treasure
a real father just didnt measure
he was gone without a thing to say
i know he wouldve failed in comparison anyway
you gave me three times the love
enough for you, him, and the god above (thats right)
Rude Boy his daddy was strong, kept holding on, when the loot was gone
nowadays everythings alright
millionares rocking these microphones all night
making all our dreams come true
and we full of love momma thanks to you
im still sorry bout the china cabniet
wish i could take it all back now dammit
Linda, Ron, Kathy and Rahul...
we want you to know that we love you...
and thats just the way it is
our love will never change
and thats just the way it is....
momma.
I respect my mother
with every step i take
she was there for my first steps in the frist place
everybody wants out on their own
now that im grown i wanna be back home
in a world full of vipers
only my mothers love was righteous
i fell i been to hell and back 3 times i can never sum it up with these rhymes
lookin for a story to share, with somebody,
but they never seem to care
while im lookin for this person everywhere
im stupid cuz my mom is right here
life moves along so fast,
when i see real love at last it's past
that aint gonna happen to me
i can hear my conscious rappin to me
its like hey, you only got one real friend
from the cradle to the grave and back again
with unconditional love
thats my mother im speaking of...
(and thats just the way it is)
thats just the way it is
(my love will never change)
my love will never change
and thats just the way it is
momma...
and i know its true, even in my darkest time in my darkest hour when my heart is blind
and im giving nobody respect
my mothers there to put my ass in check
cuz she dont play that mr famous trash
she was puttin them diapers on my ass
shes seen every side of me
it dont matter how thuggish i try to be
N.A.W. every week in the backyard
now im in the big time trying to act hard
what mattered when i looked at years back?
was momma bringing them chairs back
supporting every dream i got
and best believe man i dreamed a lot
me & Rude Boy we tryin to tell ya
not a day goes by in life we dont feel ya
we aint taking nothin for granted
moms was on me so good i cant stand it
Mrs. Hill always greets me with a hug,
I see where Rudy got all his love
(and thats just the way it is)
thats just the way it is
(my love will never change)
my love will never change
and thats just the way it is
momma...
everybody around me, they use me & go for self
they want cash equity, bank and wealth
mom puts that on the shelf
all she cares about is my health
it all seems too good to me
as im battling life, momma's backin me
and she really only wants one thing of mine
just a little time
mother, in this world of stars
money and snakes and label wars
whatever else life puts me trhough
its all number 2 when it comes to you
and your love is all i treasure
a real father just didnt measure
he was gone without a thing to say
i know he wouldve failed in comparison anyway
you gave me three times the love
enough for you, him, and the god above (thats right)
Rude Boy his daddy was strong, kept holding on, when the loot was gone
nowadays everythings alright
millionares rocking these microphones all night
making all our dreams come true
and we full of love momma thanks to you
im still sorry bout the china cabniet
wish i could take it all back now dammit
Linda, Ron, Kathy and Rahul...
we want you to know that we love you...
and thats just the way it is
our love will never change
and thats just the way it is....
momma.
Lyrics submitted by Avalon
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i love this song...i love my mom alot