"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.
I’ve been talking to my self
And I’ve been walking around for days
Trying to make the pieces fit
There’s always something in the way (regret)
And the world remains the same (perfect)
To the world a single name (downside)
On the road that isn’t going (distance)
And the weight of you is so long
And I’m searching for my self
I’m trying to find the words to say
I can never let you go
And a part of me will stay (with you)
I’ll never let you down (I swear)
You’ll never hit the ground (inside)
And the forces still remain (outside)
If you’re lost don’t ever hide
Before you open your eyes
I’ll be coming around again
Before you open your eyes
I’ll just pretend
I am always by your side
I am always by your side
I’ve been thinking to my self
And I’ve been hoping I’ll be right
When I make the pieces fit
Will I bring you back to life
I’m trying to find a way no
I’m running out of time
I’ve tried giving it all aside (I swear)
If you’re lost don’t ever hide
Before you open your eyes
I’ll be coming around again
Before you open your eyes
I’ll just pretend
I am always by your side
I am always by your side
By your side
I’m coming around again
Open your eyes
Open your eyes
Because someone loves you
Open your eyes
Open your eyes
Because someone loves you
Open your eyes up and see
If you’re lost don’t ever hide
Before you open your eyes
I’ll be coming around again
Before you open your eyes
I’ll just pretend
I am always by your side
I am always by your side
By your side
And I’ve been walking around for days
Trying to make the pieces fit
There’s always something in the way (regret)
And the world remains the same (perfect)
To the world a single name (downside)
On the road that isn’t going (distance)
And the weight of you is so long
And I’m searching for my self
I’m trying to find the words to say
I can never let you go
And a part of me will stay (with you)
I’ll never let you down (I swear)
You’ll never hit the ground (inside)
And the forces still remain (outside)
If you’re lost don’t ever hide
Before you open your eyes
I’ll be coming around again
Before you open your eyes
I’ll just pretend
I am always by your side
I am always by your side
I’ve been thinking to my self
And I’ve been hoping I’ll be right
When I make the pieces fit
Will I bring you back to life
I’m trying to find a way no
I’m running out of time
I’ve tried giving it all aside (I swear)
If you’re lost don’t ever hide
Before you open your eyes
I’ll be coming around again
Before you open your eyes
I’ll just pretend
I am always by your side
I am always by your side
By your side
I’m coming around again
Open your eyes
Open your eyes
Because someone loves you
Open your eyes
Open your eyes
Because someone loves you
Open your eyes up and see
If you’re lost don’t ever hide
Before you open your eyes
I’ll be coming around again
Before you open your eyes
I’ll just pretend
I am always by your side
I am always by your side
By your side
Lyrics submitted by bananaphobia
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I absolutely adore this song. I can't make an intelligent comment on what I think this song means, so I'm going to leave it at that.