"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 thought you looked great
Bet you look it all the time
And in fact, I know you do
Because you used to be mine
With your dark brown hair (oh!)
And your pretty smile
All your sexy tattoos (whew!)
Damn, it's been a while
But what's this around your arm?
---
Someone sound the burglary alarm
This guy, he ain't got no charm
Tell him to take a hike
I know exactly what you like
I know just what you've been missing
I'll refresh your mind tonight
He caught you
Looking into my eyes
C'mon man, don't act surprised
Reminiscent thoughts were bound to arise
What goes around comes around
And now you know!
I'm the number one topic in her diary
When you look away, she'll be all over me
When you go, oh, she'll turn off her telephone
After the party dies, we'll be all alone
You been all up on my mind
Lookin' that good should be a crime
Let's go out to wine and dine
Everything you want, it's yours, I'm buyin'
Tell me you gotta work
But you know it's just a white lie
By the end of the night
You'll know for sure I'm the better guy
I been busy as of late
But I'll make time to conjugate
5, 6, 7, 8
Baby we should procreate
I'll bring cereal, if you provide the cream
Just like the old days
You know you miss me
He caught you
Looking into my eyes
C'mon man, don't act surprised
Reminiscent thoughts were bound to arise
What goes around comes around
And now you know!
I'm the number one topic in her diary
When you look away, she'll be all over me
When you go, oh, she'll turn off her telephone
After the party dies, we'll be all alone
Tools should stay out in the toolshed
Far away and now I'm perfect
I hope you have trouble sleeping
Worrying that she's out there will me
I'm the number one
la la la
Topic in her diary
la la la
And now you know!
I'm the number one topic in her diary
When you look away, she'll be all over me
When you go, oh, she'll turn off her telephone
After the party dies, we'll be all alone
Bet you look it all the time
And in fact, I know you do
Because you used to be mine
With your dark brown hair (oh!)
And your pretty smile
All your sexy tattoos (whew!)
Damn, it's been a while
But what's this around your arm?
---
Someone sound the burglary alarm
This guy, he ain't got no charm
Tell him to take a hike
I know exactly what you like
I know just what you've been missing
I'll refresh your mind tonight
He caught you
Looking into my eyes
C'mon man, don't act surprised
Reminiscent thoughts were bound to arise
What goes around comes around
And now you know!
I'm the number one topic in her diary
When you look away, she'll be all over me
When you go, oh, she'll turn off her telephone
After the party dies, we'll be all alone
You been all up on my mind
Lookin' that good should be a crime
Let's go out to wine and dine
Everything you want, it's yours, I'm buyin'
Tell me you gotta work
But you know it's just a white lie
By the end of the night
You'll know for sure I'm the better guy
I been busy as of late
But I'll make time to conjugate
5, 6, 7, 8
Baby we should procreate
I'll bring cereal, if you provide the cream
Just like the old days
You know you miss me
He caught you
Looking into my eyes
C'mon man, don't act surprised
Reminiscent thoughts were bound to arise
What goes around comes around
And now you know!
I'm the number one topic in her diary
When you look away, she'll be all over me
When you go, oh, she'll turn off her telephone
After the party dies, we'll be all alone
Tools should stay out in the toolshed
Far away and now I'm perfect
I hope you have trouble sleeping
Worrying that she's out there will me
I'm the number one
la la la
Topic in her diary
la la la
And now you know!
I'm the number one topic in her diary
When you look away, she'll be all over me
When you go, oh, she'll turn off her telephone
After the party dies, we'll be all alone
Lyrics submitted by BashTheFash
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Fast Car
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Great version of a great song,
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