"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.
So long my dear departed
Where did you go
I can't believe you're gone and
The lights go on so slow
I'm missing you each morning
Days gone by
Again I feel the longing
To look you in the eye
You know I'll never let you go
You know I'll never hurt so bad
And if It takes a thousand Years
I will be right there by Your Side
You know I'll never hurt so much
When I lost you I was blind
And every time I catch me with tears
I will be right there by your side
I Feel you when you're watching from afar
To Young to leave me standing
I wonder where you are
The precious time we spent
My fondest memories
I'll hold on to the promise
That You Made To Me
You know I'll never let you go
You know I'll never hurt so bad
And if It takes a thousand Years
I will be right there by Your Side
You know I'll never hurt so much
When I lost you I was blind
And every time I catch me with tears
You are right there by my side
I stare into his eyes and then I see your face
A dying love inside
A love you can't replace
You're looking down with pride
And let me show what I Can tell
So long my dear departed
Where did you go
I cant believe your gone, and
My life goes on so slow
You know I'll never let you go
You know I'll never hurt so bad
And if It takes a thousand Years
I will be right there By Your Side
You know I'll never hurt so much
When I lost you I was blind
And every time I catch me with tears
You are right there by my side
Where did you go
I can't believe you're gone and
The lights go on so slow
I'm missing you each morning
Days gone by
Again I feel the longing
To look you in the eye
You know I'll never let you go
You know I'll never hurt so bad
And if It takes a thousand Years
I will be right there by Your Side
You know I'll never hurt so much
When I lost you I was blind
And every time I catch me with tears
I will be right there by your side
I Feel you when you're watching from afar
To Young to leave me standing
I wonder where you are
The precious time we spent
My fondest memories
I'll hold on to the promise
That You Made To Me
You know I'll never let you go
You know I'll never hurt so bad
And if It takes a thousand Years
I will be right there by Your Side
You know I'll never hurt so much
When I lost you I was blind
And every time I catch me with tears
You are right there by my side
I stare into his eyes and then I see your face
A dying love inside
A love you can't replace
You're looking down with pride
And let me show what I Can tell
So long my dear departed
Where did you go
I cant believe your gone, and
My life goes on so slow
You know I'll never let you go
You know I'll never hurt so bad
And if It takes a thousand Years
I will be right there By Your Side
You know I'll never hurt so much
When I lost you I was blind
And every time I catch me with tears
You are right there by my side
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Yo La Tengo
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This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
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This song is actually about his dad who passed away. He really misses him. In the bridge : "I stare into his eyes(meaning his sons) And then i see your face (his fathers) Undying love inside(for both his father and son) A love you cant replace. You're looking down with pride Let me show what I can't tell." But i think this song could take on different meanings.