"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.
Why don't you find a worthwhile cause to channel your energies?
Like finding a solution to starvation and disease
I know that you're concerned about your First amendment rights
But don't you burn our flag to make your point, that's just not right
If you think you're better off in a different country
Why don't you pack your bags right now
Here's your ticket
It's on me
I've been around this whole wide world and found no better place
And no one's gonna start a fire in my homeland's face
We have a tendency to take our freedom for granted
We have some problems, yes I know
Look at the seed you've planted
I know that you're aching to be heard
What gives you the famous final word?
To think that your opinion is preferred
What gives you the famous final word?
What other country do you know that pays you without work?
When you need some money, see your welfare officer
There's a lot of other things that you could take a stand about
So you and your activists can take the next train out
I know that you're aching to be heard
What gives you the famous final word?
To think that your opinion is preferred
What gives you the famous final word?
Freedom of speech out of hand
Demonstrations in the land
If you complain a little more
What rights you have left
Go flying out the door
Why don't you find a worthwhile cause to channel your energies?
Like finding a solution to starvation and disease
With all the problems in this world that are facing us today
We need a concentrated push or in the long run we'll all pay
Like finding a solution to starvation and disease
I know that you're concerned about your First amendment rights
But don't you burn our flag to make your point, that's just not right
If you think you're better off in a different country
Why don't you pack your bags right now
Here's your ticket
It's on me
I've been around this whole wide world and found no better place
And no one's gonna start a fire in my homeland's face
We have a tendency to take our freedom for granted
We have some problems, yes I know
Look at the seed you've planted
I know that you're aching to be heard
What gives you the famous final word?
To think that your opinion is preferred
What gives you the famous final word?
What other country do you know that pays you without work?
When you need some money, see your welfare officer
There's a lot of other things that you could take a stand about
So you and your activists can take the next train out
I know that you're aching to be heard
What gives you the famous final word?
To think that your opinion is preferred
What gives you the famous final word?
Freedom of speech out of hand
Demonstrations in the land
If you complain a little more
What rights you have left
Go flying out the door
Why don't you find a worthwhile cause to channel your energies?
Like finding a solution to starvation and disease
With all the problems in this world that are facing us today
We need a concentrated push or in the long run we'll all pay
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Fast Car
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I consider this as a libertarian approach to the subject of welfare system and unemployment benefit
The song expresses frustration with individuals who prioritize their own personal agendas and rights above addressing larger societal issues. It criticizes those who are vocal about their First Amendment rights, yet fail to focus their energy on more significant problems such as poverty, disease, and social injustice. The song encourages people to shift their focus toward action and finding solutions to the pressing problems that affect society as a whole rather than pursuing individualistic rights and seeking attention.