"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.
Don't stand around
So far, it's empty
Just pull close these witnesses
That follow, so trusting
There they go
By the way
We last because we're colorful
And as for fools, just play the opposite
Cause quietly, you're overrated anyhow
And currently, you spread yourself so thin
Climb up your pedestal
To hang yourself from it
A cold day without the praise
I used when I never ever meant to change
By the way
We last because we're colorful
And as for fools, just play the opposite
Cause quietly, you're overrated anyhow
And currently, you spread yourself so thin
Spread yourself so thin
His straight jacket fashion
Can't believe he could
But I cry denial
To say that it should
This straight jacket fashion
I can't believe he could
Stab myself just the same
You know that you should
By the way
We last because we're colorful
And as for fools, just play the opposite
Quietly, you're overrated anyhow
Currently, you've spread yourself so thin
Quietly, you're overrated anyhow
And currently, you spread yourself so thin
Spread yourself so thin
Spread yourself so thin
Spread yourself so thin
So far, it's empty
Just pull close these witnesses
That follow, so trusting
There they go
By the way
We last because we're colorful
And as for fools, just play the opposite
Cause quietly, you're overrated anyhow
And currently, you spread yourself so thin
Climb up your pedestal
To hang yourself from it
A cold day without the praise
I used when I never ever meant to change
By the way
We last because we're colorful
And as for fools, just play the opposite
Cause quietly, you're overrated anyhow
And currently, you spread yourself so thin
Spread yourself so thin
His straight jacket fashion
Can't believe he could
But I cry denial
To say that it should
This straight jacket fashion
I can't believe he could
Stab myself just the same
You know that you should
By the way
We last because we're colorful
And as for fools, just play the opposite
Quietly, you're overrated anyhow
Currently, you've spread yourself so thin
Quietly, you're overrated anyhow
And currently, you spread yourself so thin
Spread yourself so thin
Spread yourself so thin
Spread yourself so thin
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i dont know how to interpret this song, it can be taken in many ways but i see it as how people try to do anything to get attention. how people even act or go crazy trying to get attention the other "colorful" or normal people who are happy with what they got survive because they dont put their lives in danger craving for attention. yet everyone gives attention that shouldnt be there (overrated) to the people who are crazy