"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.
He is so hungry
Ain't got no money
I'll take you on a trip
we're going 'round the way
I'm crittin' down to Baba's
I don't care what you say
Give the dude the order and lean up on the wall
Strawberry or Apple, Lemonade, they got it all
The music's always bumpin' and the dudes are always there
The fryer's always going and the peoples just stare
Some people are rich, and others are poor
They all pick up their fish, and walk up out the door
He is so hungry
Ain't got no money
We gotta go soon, I've been waiting all afternoon
There's no time to be clever - fuck it dude, I say whatever
Scrape some change together, its only $2.45
When we crittin down to Baba's hope we make it back alive
Put some hot sauce on them fries, say "what's up?" to all the guys
Just got back from Baba's, there's a sparkle in your eyes
And now I feel fine, no more food on my mind
Boy, you better buy a breath mint with that last dime.
He is so hungry
Ain't got no money
When you need somewhere to have a break
Maybe a little lemonade and a smile
We'll see you down at Baba's
We're Crittin' down at Baba's
I'm going out to lunch
I haven't left all day
I'm crittin' down at Baba's
I'm crittin' down to Baba's
I need a little peace
There's fortune in that grease
I'll see you down at Baba"s
Pick me up some wings
and maybe a side of rings
Do they got that shit at Baba's?
Its Always Hot at Baba's
Saw you comin' out the Lounge
Didn't know that you was down
With them dudes down at Babas
Its always Hot at Baba's
I'll see you down at Baba's
Yo we crittin down to Baba's
(That's right)
Feels so good
(That's right, breathe it in)
To get a little air in ya system.
(breathe it in)
He is so hungry
Ain't got no money
Ain't got no money
I'll take you on a trip
we're going 'round the way
I'm crittin' down to Baba's
I don't care what you say
Give the dude the order and lean up on the wall
Strawberry or Apple, Lemonade, they got it all
The music's always bumpin' and the dudes are always there
The fryer's always going and the peoples just stare
Some people are rich, and others are poor
They all pick up their fish, and walk up out the door
He is so hungry
Ain't got no money
We gotta go soon, I've been waiting all afternoon
There's no time to be clever - fuck it dude, I say whatever
Scrape some change together, its only $2.45
When we crittin down to Baba's hope we make it back alive
Put some hot sauce on them fries, say "what's up?" to all the guys
Just got back from Baba's, there's a sparkle in your eyes
And now I feel fine, no more food on my mind
Boy, you better buy a breath mint with that last dime.
He is so hungry
Ain't got no money
When you need somewhere to have a break
Maybe a little lemonade and a smile
We'll see you down at Baba's
We're Crittin' down at Baba's
I'm going out to lunch
I haven't left all day
I'm crittin' down at Baba's
I'm crittin' down to Baba's
I need a little peace
There's fortune in that grease
I'll see you down at Baba"s
Pick me up some wings
and maybe a side of rings
Do they got that shit at Baba's?
Its Always Hot at Baba's
Saw you comin' out the Lounge
Didn't know that you was down
With them dudes down at Babas
Its always Hot at Baba's
I'll see you down at Baba's
Yo we crittin down to Baba's
(That's right)
Feels so good
(That's right, breathe it in)
To get a little air in ya system.
(breathe it in)
He is so hungry
Ain't got no money
Lyrics submitted by ikefox
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Jane's Addiction
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Great version of a great song,
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Plastic Bag
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