"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.
I'm starting to walk and I'm learning to run
I'm seeing my friends and I'm having some fun
And the heartache and pain
Like the thunder and rain
Have all disappeared
'Cause I'm not gonna cry my eyes out anymore
There's a brand new world just waiting outside my door
I ain't gonna cry tonight
Not while the music feels so good
You've got your friends and I'll get mine
We're out and have a real good time
I'm changing my style with a positive grin
And this feeling of joy comes from within
And the heartache and pain
Like the thunder and rain
Have all disappeared
'Cause I'm not gonna cry my eyes out anymore
There is a brand new world just waiting outside my door
I ain't gonna cry tonight
Not while the music feels so good
You've got your friends and I be fine
We're out and have a real good time
And the heartache and pain
And the thunder and rain
Have all disappeared
And I'm not gonna cry my heart out anymore
I ain't gonna cry tonight, gonna have a party
I ain't gonna cry tonight
I ain't gonna cry tonight
Not while the music feels so good
You've got your friends and I get mine
We're out and have a real good
I ain't gonna cry tonight
Not while the music feels so good
I ain't gonna cry tonight
I ain't gonna cry tonight
Learning to walk, learning to run
Seeing my friends and having some fun
I'm seeing my friends and I'm having some fun
And the heartache and pain
Like the thunder and rain
Have all disappeared
'Cause I'm not gonna cry my eyes out anymore
There's a brand new world just waiting outside my door
I ain't gonna cry tonight
Not while the music feels so good
You've got your friends and I'll get mine
We're out and have a real good time
I'm changing my style with a positive grin
And this feeling of joy comes from within
And the heartache and pain
Like the thunder and rain
Have all disappeared
'Cause I'm not gonna cry my eyes out anymore
There is a brand new world just waiting outside my door
I ain't gonna cry tonight
Not while the music feels so good
You've got your friends and I be fine
We're out and have a real good time
And the heartache and pain
And the thunder and rain
Have all disappeared
And I'm not gonna cry my heart out anymore
I ain't gonna cry tonight, gonna have a party
I ain't gonna cry tonight
I ain't gonna cry tonight
Not while the music feels so good
You've got your friends and I get mine
We're out and have a real good
I ain't gonna cry tonight
Not while the music feels so good
I ain't gonna cry tonight
I ain't gonna cry tonight
Learning to walk, learning to run
Seeing my friends and having some fun
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