"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.
We suit an ocean so let the storms and stories grow. You know its getting old; are we just that bored? The waves beat us in the cliffs over and again. Learn your lesson.
I got to thinking am I the tide or just the kind of overcast that will not last? Or picture this I’m the ship with a broken back you bury deep below. I won’t live to see this seafloor of yours.
O You’re the worst, kind of tidal wave one to bury and betray
Im not the first foe that you have claimed don’t you make that same mistake.
Mayday … send out a mayday call.
You asked for mass destruction.
Romance masked with distraction
You asked for you asked for
A great romance…
O Hurricane Oh hurricane your eye is revealing
Am I the tide or the kind of mistake you create
O Hurricane Oh my hurricane your eyes have deceived me
Now redirect and find what’s left of this sunken ship.
You’ll show no mercy, grant me death all in one breathe.
Don’t be taken back when you spend the nights by yourself
This current is tearing me farther from the coast.
I am your broken vessel you formerly called home.
Still I sail these treacherous waters knowing the current is pulling me farther and further from the coast.
Lyrics submitted by TheWebsWeWeave
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