"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.
Look out your front door, ship comin' in
I can't tell you what it brings
So carry your greef on down to the port
Tonight were bound for other shores
We live like the sun
Comin' up, comin' down
Ever distant, ever proud
Now the world unfolds, shall young never see
All the wounds that never bleed
Wounds that never bleed
Wounds that never bleed
Just hold the line
You'll find my time's not enough
I'll hold the line
You'll find my time's not enough
Can beauty be stark, so sad and wise
Just like an ocean in your eyes
Can I carry the load, can I slip in your skin
I'm on the outside lookin' in
Outside lookin' in
Outside lookin' in
And just hold the line
You'll find my time's not enough
And just hold the line
And you'll find my time's not enough
It's the peace that I'm defending
I don't know son, I don't know
Knowledge bears a price unending
I don't know son, I don't know
Just hold the line
And you'll find that time's not enough
There's a light on your face and a hope the breeze
A knowing whisper in the trees
There's money to burn and books to read
Another lie to be believed
I can't tell you what it brings
So carry your greef on down to the port
Tonight were bound for other shores
We live like the sun
Comin' up, comin' down
Ever distant, ever proud
Now the world unfolds, shall young never see
All the wounds that never bleed
Wounds that never bleed
Wounds that never bleed
Just hold the line
You'll find my time's not enough
I'll hold the line
You'll find my time's not enough
Can beauty be stark, so sad and wise
Just like an ocean in your eyes
Can I carry the load, can I slip in your skin
I'm on the outside lookin' in
Outside lookin' in
Outside lookin' in
And just hold the line
You'll find my time's not enough
And just hold the line
And you'll find my time's not enough
It's the peace that I'm defending
I don't know son, I don't know
Knowledge bears a price unending
I don't know son, I don't know
Just hold the line
And you'll find that time's not enough
There's a light on your face and a hope the breeze
A knowing whisper in the trees
There's money to burn and books to read
Another lie to be believed
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
Blue
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Amazing
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I just love this song. It's my favorite on the album!