"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.
jacob stands on snakes. and finds his life in shame. they will make their plea. trust in the disease. one last drop of pain. the fighting's all in vain. one last antidote. forgotten ties on severed ropes. hanging them from poles. someone saw the light. and brought his bow string tight. and aimed it at the heart. of my beloved
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Fast Car
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yeah there are several lines missing. i'd be interested to know if someone can post them. nonetheless, an absolutely beautiful song.