"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.
There's fruit but not enough to keep me hanging on the vine.
There's you but not enough to keep me waiting on the line.
On the other side of the dial, what are you waiting for me to say?
You've waited too long and now something has gone away.
There's truth enough for you to at least to admit we were friends.
But acting like you knew, why does that depend?
I've dropped the dime too many times
And if I had a nickel for every line you fed while I waited
We would both be much richer in the end.
And now I'm thin skinned.
But the long haul is brimming with adults
And we could be there too
Me and you and you.
But we shared common ground
And what's that worth to you.
Well I don't think you consider this at all.
But that's exactly what you do,
Why couldn't you for me to?
Why couldn't you?
And I know it's small to immortalize my feelings,
But darling I'm still reeling
And I think I have to option as much as you.
Yes I do.
But I don't want to.
On who do I rely?
On who do I rely?
Oh don't roll your eyes.
On who do I rely?
There's you but not enough to keep me waiting on the line.
On the other side of the dial, what are you waiting for me to say?
You've waited too long and now something has gone away.
There's truth enough for you to at least to admit we were friends.
But acting like you knew, why does that depend?
I've dropped the dime too many times
And if I had a nickel for every line you fed while I waited
We would both be much richer in the end.
And now I'm thin skinned.
But the long haul is brimming with adults
And we could be there too
Me and you and you.
But we shared common ground
And what's that worth to you.
Well I don't think you consider this at all.
But that's exactly what you do,
Why couldn't you for me to?
Why couldn't you?
And I know it's small to immortalize my feelings,
But darling I'm still reeling
And I think I have to option as much as you.
Yes I do.
But I don't want to.
On who do I rely?
On who do I rely?
Oh don't roll your eyes.
On who do I rely?
Lyrics submitted by WeAreStillAlive
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Fast Car
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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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on WHOM, goddammit!