"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 heard you came to the city
And didn’t even know your own strength
Coerced by a friend of a stranger
We saw the stage lit up by your face
We saw you ignite some reaction
Like magnesium put to a flame
And you never would guess what they’re saying about you
Now that everyone knows your name
It’s a hard road no one ever should have to know
But you make friends along the way
Never aware of when you would go
Oh, and some nights when I play a song through your eyes
You’re the only one to make an artwork out of a life
The critics adored your new angle
Unlike anything heard before
And your friends were beside you the day that you died
Never let your sweet soul hit the floor
They raised you up like a martyr
And declared your creativity pure
Farewell was the message, forgiveness for saving
Sunset 4334
It’s a hard road no one ever should have to know
But you make friends along the way
Never aware of when you would go
Oh, and some nights when I play a song through your eyes
Seems you’re the only one to make an artwork out of a life
And all you wanted was happiness
Cause happiness is everything you need
I hope you find your happiness
Cause happiness is what you gave to me
And didn’t even know your own strength
Coerced by a friend of a stranger
We saw the stage lit up by your face
We saw you ignite some reaction
Like magnesium put to a flame
And you never would guess what they’re saying about you
Now that everyone knows your name
It’s a hard road no one ever should have to know
But you make friends along the way
Never aware of when you would go
Oh, and some nights when I play a song through your eyes
You’re the only one to make an artwork out of a life
The critics adored your new angle
Unlike anything heard before
And your friends were beside you the day that you died
Never let your sweet soul hit the floor
They raised you up like a martyr
And declared your creativity pure
Farewell was the message, forgiveness for saving
Sunset 4334
It’s a hard road no one ever should have to know
But you make friends along the way
Never aware of when you would go
Oh, and some nights when I play a song through your eyes
Seems you’re the only one to make an artwork out of a life
And all you wanted was happiness
Cause happiness is everything you need
I hope you find your happiness
Cause happiness is what you gave to me
Lyrics submitted by SMUSER17174587
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Ebba Grön
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Dusty Springfield
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Page
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