"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.
Yesterday came suddenly.
Tomorrow will we see?
Today now you're at the wheel.
I'll ask â??how does it feel?â??
Yesterday when heaven's gates I contemplate.
They seem so far.
Today they ain't so far away and almost seem a drag.
Keep what yer got by giving it all away.
Keep what yer got by giving it all away.
Keep what yer got, hold it don't stop.
Keep what yer got, by giving it all away.
When your halo slips for good you'll have to wear your hood.
Good to feel the breeze of fear on all the cynics.
And you mimic all you losers all abusers wasting all my precious energy.
Keep what yer got by giving it all away.
Keep what yer got by giving it all away.
Keep what yer got, hold it don't stop.
Keep what yer got, by giving it all away.
Remember where you came from.
Sister she told ya on a rainy day.
It's said that heaven holds a place for all of those who pray.
And if you don't believe in agony then you don't care anyway.
Nobody or nothing's ever getting in your way.
Even as you cradle on but don't think you'll be long.
No-ones gonna notice if yer never right or wrong.
And if you and your next neighbour, yeah you don't quite get along.
No-ones gonna notice if your singing anyway.
Those not coming with with the few well then they gotta pay.
Tomorrow will we see?
Today now you're at the wheel.
I'll ask â??how does it feel?â??
Yesterday when heaven's gates I contemplate.
They seem so far.
Today they ain't so far away and almost seem a drag.
Keep what yer got by giving it all away.
Keep what yer got by giving it all away.
Keep what yer got, hold it don't stop.
Keep what yer got, by giving it all away.
When your halo slips for good you'll have to wear your hood.
Good to feel the breeze of fear on all the cynics.
And you mimic all you losers all abusers wasting all my precious energy.
Keep what yer got by giving it all away.
Keep what yer got by giving it all away.
Keep what yer got, hold it don't stop.
Keep what yer got, by giving it all away.
Remember where you came from.
Sister she told ya on a rainy day.
It's said that heaven holds a place for all of those who pray.
And if you don't believe in agony then you don't care anyway.
Nobody or nothing's ever getting in your way.
Even as you cradle on but don't think you'll be long.
No-ones gonna notice if yer never right or wrong.
And if you and your next neighbour, yeah you don't quite get along.
No-ones gonna notice if your singing anyway.
Those not coming with with the few well then they gotta pay.
Lyrics submitted by Joekubrick
Keep What Ya Got Lyrics as written by Noel Gallagher Ian Brown
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
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I think the whole taking control of your life and moving on thing might be about how he's moved on from the stone roses. Maybe aimed at John Squire? A few links to Stone Roses songs there "Now you're at the wheel, tell me how, how does it feel" - Waterfall; "heavens gates won't hold me, i sold those suckers down" - Breaking into heaven. Looks like Ian's still quite bitter about the whole incident.