"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.
You may be peeking in your mailbox
You may be waitin' for a call
There might be only stars to see
If you're not waiting there for me
I believe you're headed for a fall
You may be staring in your mirror
Crying while you put your make-up on
Where you're gonna go tonight
To find the thing that makes it right
What will you do when you find it's gone
Don't put your dreams way up there in the clouds
I don't think that's what it's all about
You can't get much height when you're so above it all
I'll be waiting here when you hit bottom
I believe you're headed for a fall
We'll have days together in the sunshine
Autumn's twilight, winter's darkness too
Darling I will hold you, my love will enfold you
You need me now, just like I need you
Don't put your dreams way up there in the clouds
I don't think that's what it's all about
You can't get much height when you're so above it all
I'll be waiting here when you hit bottom
I believe you're headed for a fall
I believe you're headed for a fall
You may be waitin' for a call
There might be only stars to see
If you're not waiting there for me
I believe you're headed for a fall
You may be staring in your mirror
Crying while you put your make-up on
Where you're gonna go tonight
To find the thing that makes it right
What will you do when you find it's gone
Don't put your dreams way up there in the clouds
I don't think that's what it's all about
You can't get much height when you're so above it all
I'll be waiting here when you hit bottom
I believe you're headed for a fall
We'll have days together in the sunshine
Autumn's twilight, winter's darkness too
Darling I will hold you, my love will enfold you
You need me now, just like I need you
Don't put your dreams way up there in the clouds
I don't think that's what it's all about
You can't get much height when you're so above it all
I'll be waiting here when you hit bottom
I believe you're headed for a fall
I believe you're headed for a fall
Lyrics submitted by fall poetaster
Headed for a Fall Lyrics as written by Jimmie Dale Gilmore David Hammond
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Fast Car
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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"You can't get much height when you're so above it all"
That line is great. She (I'm assuming the singer is male, directed towards a woman) is in this relationship with this "too good to be true" kinda guy, maybe in it for the money or lifestyle or sex, but no real passion. And while the singer can't really offer those things that the other man can, he can offer a real romance. She'll realize her "rut" of a relationship and end up back to the singer, who will gladly bring her down to earth.
Mostly an over-used songwriting idea, but M. Ward just has a great way about him, i don't care.