"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.
Oooooh
More than you know it, I'm aware
Of this connection that we share
Yeah I know it seems like sometimes I don't care
But you are the colours that I wear
It's been a few hours, nearly dawn
You've been real quiet all along
Now I cannot help but think there's something wrong
Hey baby what's going on?
3 AM we seemed alright (Couldn't be better, couldn't be better)
On our way into the light
Now 3 AM is gone
Along with where there's nothing wrong
3 AM we seemed alright
If I have been thoughtless, let me know
I can take a hint you know
Though I'm a little slow
Just don't keep it in you
Lest it take root and grow
The bottom line here is I love you so
3 AM we seemed alright (Couldn't be better, couldn't be better)
On our way into the light
Now 3 AM is gone
Along with where there's nothing wrong
3 AM we seemed alright
3 AM we seemed alright (Like never better, like never better)
We're on our way into the light
Now 3 AM is gone
Along with where there's nothing wrong
3 AM we seemed alright
Ooooh
3 AM we seemed alright (Couldn't be better, couldn't be better)
On our way into the light
Now 3 AM is gone
Along with where there's nothing wrong
3 AM we seemed alright
Ooooh
3 AM we seemed alright (Like never better, like never better)
On our way into the light
Now 3 AM is gone
Along with where there's nothing wrong
3 AM we seemed alright
More than you know it, I'm aware
Of this connection that we share
Yeah I know it seems like sometimes I don't care
But you are the colours that I wear
It's been a few hours, nearly dawn
You've been real quiet all along
Now I cannot help but think there's something wrong
Hey baby what's going on?
3 AM we seemed alright (Couldn't be better, couldn't be better)
On our way into the light
Now 3 AM is gone
Along with where there's nothing wrong
3 AM we seemed alright
If I have been thoughtless, let me know
I can take a hint you know
Though I'm a little slow
Just don't keep it in you
Lest it take root and grow
The bottom line here is I love you so
3 AM we seemed alright (Couldn't be better, couldn't be better)
On our way into the light
Now 3 AM is gone
Along with where there's nothing wrong
3 AM we seemed alright
3 AM we seemed alright (Like never better, like never better)
We're on our way into the light
Now 3 AM is gone
Along with where there's nothing wrong
3 AM we seemed alright
Ooooh
3 AM we seemed alright (Couldn't be better, couldn't be better)
On our way into the light
Now 3 AM is gone
Along with where there's nothing wrong
3 AM we seemed alright
Ooooh
3 AM we seemed alright (Like never better, like never better)
On our way into the light
Now 3 AM is gone
Along with where there's nothing wrong
3 AM we seemed alright
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wow i have never thought at this as beeing a sad song.in fact this is the song that i made a new girlfriend,we dance on this song,its just great.but in some point i think u are right.3Am is some sort of border between love and hate,couple and single.but in my opinion 3AM is the perfect time to make and show the love that u have for your beloved ones