"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.
The old believers of the russian church are
Hawking their wares and selling their merch
While the kayak man with his farmer's tan
Sits in his van and complains about his day
When profession is an excuse for personality
And the linens of dreams get caught in wash machine screams
And the tender at the bar has an orange backless dress that catches your eye
He's packed his cellphone
And the lamppost lights are on
The ship is setting sail
The winds are blowing strong
He don't see
He don't care
He feels the life leaving
Him with every step
And it catches your eye
I've got a lot of time an money, I don't want to spend either on you
I've got a lot of time, listen honey, I don't want to spend it on you
That's what he said
To me
It's what he'd say
To you
And if you think you're held in some higher regard, well
Hold your tongue
I've got a lot of time an money, I don't want to spend either on you
I've got a lot of time, listen honey, I don't want to spend it on you
My wallet's filled with broken dreams
Hawking their wares and selling their merch
While the kayak man with his farmer's tan
Sits in his van and complains about his day
When profession is an excuse for personality
And the linens of dreams get caught in wash machine screams
And the tender at the bar has an orange backless dress that catches your eye
He's packed his cellphone
And the lamppost lights are on
The ship is setting sail
The winds are blowing strong
He don't see
He don't care
He feels the life leaving
Him with every step
And it catches your eye
I've got a lot of time an money, I don't want to spend either on you
I've got a lot of time, listen honey, I don't want to spend it on you
That's what he said
To me
It's what he'd say
To you
And if you think you're held in some higher regard, well
Hold your tongue
I've got a lot of time an money, I don't want to spend either on you
I've got a lot of time, listen honey, I don't want to spend it on you
My wallet's filled with broken dreams
Lyrics submitted by JFISHAUF
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There's been some confusion as to the meaning (or lack thereof) of this song. As it's creator, I'll explain.
The first 2 lines are about the mixture of religion and commercialism. The themes are not brought up again in the song, and serve only as an interesting introduction the song's world. The second 2 lines introduce the main character of the song, the "kayak man".
The next paragraph is fairly self-explanatory. Though vague when read together, each line is addressing a different idea connected by the ideas of business, celebrity, and dreams, and their effect. The third line of the paragraph is about distractions and that things that 'catch our eye'.
The next paragraph begins painting a picture of the 'kayak man'. "He's packed his cellphone and the lamppost lights are on" hint that he is a stereotypical businessman, uncaring of the environment or world around him. His only goal is money, and furthering himself. "The ship is setting sail and the winds are blowing strong" foreshadows his death, and the speed at which it will reach him. This theme is strengthened in the next paragraph, and it is discovered that he does not know or care about it.
The line "I've got a lot of time an money, I don't want to spend either on you" is further illustration of his arrogant and condescending character.
The next lines explain to the reader that the 'kayak (and business)man' would treat anyone the same way.
The last line is the character's thoughts as he realizes he is going to die, and that his life was meaningless.
The title is the year the character was born.