"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.
It was 1982, big storm.
Lenny was working his way toward middle management.
Hands on the steering wheel, ten and two.
Dinner's waiting on the table I'll leave a light on for you.
Lenny never felt so unafraid.
Soaking wet, so many lives washed away.
In the wrong place at the right time, Lenny did what he had to do, and he did it alright.
January, thirteenth.
Arland D. Williams junior, boarded the aeroplane, trying to make his way home.
Seats and tray tables up, for liftoff.
The drinkcart will be down when we're in the air.
Lenny never felt so unafraid.
Soaking wet, so many lives washed away.
In the wrong place at the right time.
Lenny did what he had to do and he did alright!(x2)
Four in the afternoon, waiting.
Donald flew helicopters and he liked his job.
Going over and over his training.
Coming to the rescue; This is not a drill.
Chorus(x2)
Lenny was working his way toward middle management.
Hands on the steering wheel, ten and two.
Dinner's waiting on the table I'll leave a light on for you.
Lenny never felt so unafraid.
Soaking wet, so many lives washed away.
In the wrong place at the right time, Lenny did what he had to do, and he did it alright.
January, thirteenth.
Arland D. Williams junior, boarded the aeroplane, trying to make his way home.
Seats and tray tables up, for liftoff.
The drinkcart will be down when we're in the air.
Lenny never felt so unafraid.
Soaking wet, so many lives washed away.
In the wrong place at the right time.
Lenny did what he had to do and he did alright!(x2)
Four in the afternoon, waiting.
Donald flew helicopters and he liked his job.
Going over and over his training.
Coming to the rescue; This is not a drill.
Chorus(x2)
Lyrics submitted by mybodyisacage
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