"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 a box around myself
So they can put me on the shelf
To see the way I live
But the holes are blocked
By everybody else inside
As far as I can tell
They're all living well
Living better, still
Oh, that's the way it is
Climbing up the corporate ladder
Trying to escape through the roof
Can you explain lives led in vain?
It seems like everybody's looking for their way out
It's not a problem, it's hell
We only do what people tell
But can you tell me, anyone
The consequences of setting someone free?
Can you explain lives led in vain?
It seems like everybody's looking for their way out
Have you ever felt the pinch
When your life's confined?
Well, get your ass in line
It's hard not to care what they say
I'd like to think we'll break away
I don't believe that growing up
Means cashing out and giving up
Can you explain lives led in vain?
It seems like everybody's looking for their way out
This box contains just one thing
The fact that I will probably never find a way
Can't you help me fade out?
You know that everybody's looking for their way out
So they can put me on the shelf
To see the way I live
But the holes are blocked
By everybody else inside
As far as I can tell
They're all living well
Living better, still
Oh, that's the way it is
Climbing up the corporate ladder
Trying to escape through the roof
Can you explain lives led in vain?
It seems like everybody's looking for their way out
It's not a problem, it's hell
We only do what people tell
But can you tell me, anyone
The consequences of setting someone free?
Can you explain lives led in vain?
It seems like everybody's looking for their way out
Have you ever felt the pinch
When your life's confined?
Well, get your ass in line
It's hard not to care what they say
I'd like to think we'll break away
I don't believe that growing up
Means cashing out and giving up
Can you explain lives led in vain?
It seems like everybody's looking for their way out
This box contains just one thing
The fact that I will probably never find a way
Can't you help me fade out?
You know that everybody's looking for their way out
Lyrics submitted by thoseguiltyeyes
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Fast Car
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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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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It seems like this song is about being seperated from what everyone else is doing, but he's getting pulled back in. Nice slow song from Powerspace