"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.
She was more like a beauty queen on a movie scene
I said don't mind, but what do you mean I am the one
Let her dance on the floor in the round
She said I am the one
Let her dance on the floor in the round
She told me her name was Billie Jean, as she caused a scene
Then every head turned and looked at me, I am the one
Let her dance on the floor in the round
People always told me be careful what you do
don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
And mother always told me be careful who you love
be careful what you do because the lie becomes the truth
Love me, love me
say that you love me
fool me, fool me
go on and fool me
love me, love me
pretend that you love me
I can't care 'bout anything but you
For forty days and for forty nights
I was on her side
But who can stand when she's in demand
Her schemes and plans
Let her dance on the floor in the round
So take my strong advice
just remember to always think twice
Don't think twice!
Don't think twice!
Woo!
People always told me be careful what you do
And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
When she came and stood beside me
Then the smell of sweet perfume
What the people all assume,
when she walked into that room
Love me, love me
say that you love me
fool me, fool me
go on and fool me
love me, love me
pretend that you love me
I can't care 'bout anything but you
anything but you...
Stop your messin' around
Better think of your future
Time to strittin' right out
Creatin' problems in town
Rudi, a message to you,
Rudi, a message to you,
Rudi, a message to you...
I can't care 'bout anything but you...
I said don't mind, but what do you mean I am the one
Let her dance on the floor in the round
She said I am the one
Let her dance on the floor in the round
She told me her name was Billie Jean, as she caused a scene
Then every head turned and looked at me, I am the one
Let her dance on the floor in the round
People always told me be careful what you do
don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
And mother always told me be careful who you love
be careful what you do because the lie becomes the truth
Love me, love me
say that you love me
fool me, fool me
go on and fool me
love me, love me
pretend that you love me
I can't care 'bout anything but you
For forty days and for forty nights
I was on her side
But who can stand when she's in demand
Her schemes and plans
Let her dance on the floor in the round
So take my strong advice
just remember to always think twice
Don't think twice!
Don't think twice!
Woo!
People always told me be careful what you do
And don't go around breaking young girls' hearts
When she came and stood beside me
Then the smell of sweet perfume
What the people all assume,
when she walked into that room
Love me, love me
say that you love me
fool me, fool me
go on and fool me
love me, love me
pretend that you love me
I can't care 'bout anything but you
anything but you...
Stop your messin' around
Better think of your future
Time to strittin' right out
Creatin' problems in town
Rudi, a message to you,
Rudi, a message to you,
Rudi, a message to you...
I can't care 'bout anything but you...
Lyrics submitted by ShiverForMe
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Ed Sheeran
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