"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 know who you really are. Your disguise is not fooling me.
And I’ll rip the mask from your face, exposing the coward within.
Slither around like a serpent, preying on the innocent.
Spit your venom somewhere else. They have had enough of you.
Take heed of this warning I give to you. Take heed of this warning I give to you...
Ooh... You wear your mask to hide from yourself.
I stand here watching you fall away. There is no escape! (x2)
Wipe that smile off your face, this is not a game. There are souls at stake.
Spit your venom somewhere else. They have had enough of what you have to say.
Wipe that smile off your face, this is not a game. There are souls at stake.
And I will live to watch you burn. And I will live to watch you burn.
Fallen, defeat, you have lost again.
I know who you really are. Your party has come to an end.
Slither around like a serpent, preying on the innocent.
Spit your venom somewhere else. They have had enough of you.
But I will pray for you, you are not alone. I am still right here.
I am not afraid of what you’ve become.
So take my hand, I will lift you up. I am not afraid of what you’ve become.
But if you refuse, and this has to end... with my hands around your throat I will
squeeze until there’s nothing left, to protect the innocent. You won’t seduce anyone.
And I’ll rip the mask from your face, exposing the coward within.
Slither around like a serpent, preying on the innocent.
Spit your venom somewhere else. They have had enough of you.
Take heed of this warning I give to you. Take heed of this warning I give to you...
Ooh... You wear your mask to hide from yourself.
I stand here watching you fall away. There is no escape! (x2)
Wipe that smile off your face, this is not a game. There are souls at stake.
Spit your venom somewhere else. They have had enough of what you have to say.
Wipe that smile off your face, this is not a game. There are souls at stake.
And I will live to watch you burn. And I will live to watch you burn.
Fallen, defeat, you have lost again.
I know who you really are. Your party has come to an end.
Slither around like a serpent, preying on the innocent.
Spit your venom somewhere else. They have had enough of you.
But I will pray for you, you are not alone. I am still right here.
I am not afraid of what you’ve become.
So take my hand, I will lift you up. I am not afraid of what you’ve become.
But if you refuse, and this has to end... with my hands around your throat I will
squeeze until there’s nothing left, to protect the innocent. You won’t seduce anyone.
Lyrics submitted by grindbear
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