"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.
When you're away, I'm feeling empty
I lose my mind
But when you're around, I take for granted
Most of our time
Honey you say that I'm cold
And sometimes I'm out of control
Baby, you know how I am, at the end, you're always mine
I don't mean to when I hurt you
But I need you, I can show you
Just let me be when I'm crazy,
At the end you're still my only.
At the end (x3)
Right when you're gone, I really miss you
You got my heart.
When you come back, I just want to kiss you
And it tears you apart.
Honey do make me stay,
Believe me it's better this way.
Baby I'm true and I'm real.
I'm giving you all that I feel.
(Chorus x2)
Sweety, I'm trying my best,
To give you the most and the less.
Darling, I'm true and I'm real,
I'm giving you all that I feel.
(Chorus x2)
I lose my mind
But when you're around, I take for granted
Most of our time
Honey you say that I'm cold
And sometimes I'm out of control
Baby, you know how I am, at the end, you're always mine
I don't mean to when I hurt you
But I need you, I can show you
Just let me be when I'm crazy,
At the end you're still my only.
At the end (x3)
Right when you're gone, I really miss you
You got my heart.
When you come back, I just want to kiss you
And it tears you apart.
Honey do make me stay,
Believe me it's better this way.
Baby I'm true and I'm real.
I'm giving you all that I feel.
(Chorus x2)
Sweety, I'm trying my best,
To give you the most and the less.
Darling, I'm true and I'm real,
I'm giving you all that I feel.
(Chorus x2)
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Wow... I've only listened to this song fully for the first time today. And I fully understand it. It's a message that's been there... kind of describing my situation with a certain girl whom I love...