"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 Want You Back
When I had you to myself
I didn't want you around
Those pretty faces always made you
Stand out in a crowd
Then someone picked you from the bunch
One glance was all it took
Now it's much too late for me
To take a second look
Oh, baby, give me one more chance
(To show you that I love you)
Won't you please let me
(Back in your heart)
Oh, darling, I was blind to let you go
(Let you go, baby)
But now since I see you in his arms
I want you back
Yes, I do now (I want you back)
Ooh, ooh, baby (I want you back)
Yeah, yeah, yeah (I want you back)
Now, now, now
The Love You Save
When we played tag in grade school
You wanted to be it
But chasin' boys was just a fad
You crossed your heart, you'd quit
When we grew up you traded
Your promise for my ring
Now just like back in grade school
You're doing the same old thing
Stop, the love you save maybe your own
Darlin' take it slow
Or some day you'll be all alone
(You better stop)
(The love you save maybe your own)
Darlin' look both ways before you cross me
You're heading for a danger zone
I'll Be There
You and I must make a pact
We must bring salvation back
Where there is love
I'll be there
(I'll be there)
I'll reach out my hand to you
I'll have faith in all you do
Just call my name and I'll be there
(I'll be there)
I'll be there to comfort you
Build my world of dreams around you
I'm so glad that I found you
I'll be there
With a love that's strong
I'll be your strength
I'll keep holdin' on, ooh
(Holding on)
If you should ever find someone new
I know he'd better being good to you
'Cause if he doesn't
I'll be there (I'll be there)
Don't you know, baby, yeah, yeah
I'll be there
I'll be there
Just call my name and I'll be there
Just look over your shoulders, honey, ooh
I'll be there
I'll be there
Just call my name, and I'll be there
When I had you to myself
I didn't want you around
Those pretty faces always made you
Stand out in a crowd
Then someone picked you from the bunch
One glance was all it took
Now it's much too late for me
To take a second look
Oh, baby, give me one more chance
(To show you that I love you)
Won't you please let me
(Back in your heart)
Oh, darling, I was blind to let you go
(Let you go, baby)
But now since I see you in his arms
I want you back
Yes, I do now (I want you back)
Ooh, ooh, baby (I want you back)
Yeah, yeah, yeah (I want you back)
Now, now, now
The Love You Save
When we played tag in grade school
You wanted to be it
But chasin' boys was just a fad
You crossed your heart, you'd quit
When we grew up you traded
Your promise for my ring
Now just like back in grade school
You're doing the same old thing
Stop, the love you save maybe your own
Darlin' take it slow
Or some day you'll be all alone
(You better stop)
(The love you save maybe your own)
Darlin' look both ways before you cross me
You're heading for a danger zone
I'll Be There
You and I must make a pact
We must bring salvation back
Where there is love
I'll be there
(I'll be there)
I'll reach out my hand to you
I'll have faith in all you do
Just call my name and I'll be there
(I'll be there)
I'll be there to comfort you
Build my world of dreams around you
I'm so glad that I found you
I'll be there
With a love that's strong
I'll be your strength
I'll keep holdin' on, ooh
(Holding on)
If you should ever find someone new
I know he'd better being good to you
'Cause if he doesn't
I'll be there (I'll be there)
Don't you know, baby, yeah, yeah
I'll be there
I'll be there
Just call my name and I'll be there
Just look over your shoulders, honey, ooh
I'll be there
I'll be there
Just call my name, and I'll be there
Lyrics submitted by ButNeverOutgunned
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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