"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.
Now when this over
Over and through
And all them changes have come and passed
I wanna meet you in the big sky country
Just wanna prove, mama, love can last, yeah.
Like hallelujiah in the big sky country,
Just like forever and ever is why.
Be getting over in the big sky country,
Big kissing time, kissing time goodbye.
God knows it's all been done,
and let me tell you why.
Cause you held my number,
you held my name,
you held my body through the thick and thin,
On a bed of roses in the big sky country,
Spread out to love you, love you in your second skin
Like hallelujiah in the big sky country,
Just like forever and ever is why.
Be getting over in the big sky country,
Big kissing time, kissing time goodbye.
Hallelujiah, mama, razzle-dazzle,
from the cries that got lights all over the place,
Hallelujiah, I mean, Lordy, hallelujiah
If I can only come around once and see your face.
So just watch them lovers out on parade.
Watching lovers while they slip and slide.
They gonna prove it to the big sky country,
Just gonna prove it while the whole world collides,
Like hallelujiah in the big sky country,
Just like forever and ever is why,
Be getting over in the big sky country,
Big kissing time, kissing time goodbye.
Maybe I'll make up in the big sky country,
Be just like lovers, and love is why.
When we hold over till the big sky country.
Big kissing time, kissing time goodbye.
Big sky country. (x6)
Over and through
And all them changes have come and passed
I wanna meet you in the big sky country
Just wanna prove, mama, love can last, yeah.
Like hallelujiah in the big sky country,
Just like forever and ever is why.
Be getting over in the big sky country,
Big kissing time, kissing time goodbye.
God knows it's all been done,
and let me tell you why.
Cause you held my number,
you held my name,
you held my body through the thick and thin,
On a bed of roses in the big sky country,
Spread out to love you, love you in your second skin
Like hallelujiah in the big sky country,
Just like forever and ever is why.
Be getting over in the big sky country,
Big kissing time, kissing time goodbye.
Hallelujiah, mama, razzle-dazzle,
from the cries that got lights all over the place,
Hallelujiah, I mean, Lordy, hallelujiah
If I can only come around once and see your face.
So just watch them lovers out on parade.
Watching lovers while they slip and slide.
They gonna prove it to the big sky country,
Just gonna prove it while the whole world collides,
Like hallelujiah in the big sky country,
Just like forever and ever is why,
Be getting over in the big sky country,
Big kissing time, kissing time goodbye.
Maybe I'll make up in the big sky country,
Be just like lovers, and love is why.
When we hold over till the big sky country.
Big kissing time, kissing time goodbye.
Big sky country. (x6)
Lyrics submitted by MelvinFrohike
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I saw John Mayer play in Boston on July 18, 2002. It was the best show of my life. Anyway, that concert was the first time he ever played Big Sky Country live for an audience. It was incredible. One of the reasons I love John Mayer is that not only does he know how to write and play music, he recognizes that a good cover can make all the difference in a live show. His neverending creativity makes his shows great. I am sure anyone who has seen him live can attest to his greatness. I love that he is unique with his choice of covers...have you ever heard anyone else play Big SKy Country (besides Chris Whitley himself of course)? I appreciate that John doesn't just play Timie after Time or one of the other standard covers like everyone else. Rock On John! Keep the songs (and covers!) coming!