"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 draw them on reckless,
Etched in,
Scratched in like resurrection.
Your sins are killing you
And you can bet they'll get me too.
I've got to give some to get some.
Mining in the river
Standing in the rain.
Down on your knees
As you heave at the drain.
You can lead a whore to water
And bet she'll drink and follow orders.
And I said, "Is this what you wanted?"
"Is this what you needed?"
Give it some more time.
Tonight I'm going to a party,
But it's already started without me.
I aced philosophy
And mastered the art of spiritual phase.
I've got to give some to get some.
The disco ball spins away another year.
I wish you a broken heart and a happy new year.
Only three words come to mind.
Etched in,
Scratched in like resurrection.
Your sins are killing you
And you can bet they'll get me too.
I've got to give some to get some.
Mining in the river
Standing in the rain.
Down on your knees
As you heave at the drain.
You can lead a whore to water
And bet she'll drink and follow orders.
And I said, "Is this what you wanted?"
"Is this what you needed?"
Give it some more time.
Tonight I'm going to a party,
But it's already started without me.
I aced philosophy
And mastered the art of spiritual phase.
I've got to give some to get some.
The disco ball spins away another year.
I wish you a broken heart and a happy new year.
Only three words come to mind.
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