"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 watched the wallflower grow
I learned how wolves ruled the east coast
Sometimes you'd come in my room
Late at night like wind blows through
You don't come, come around no more
Fight or run, you're just getting older
I know you won't always be there
But you try, try
I know you can't always fix me
But you try, try
It's hard times, running around these streets
I think about all the times gone by
I know we may not be so young anymore
I swear to God, if the boy ever breaks your heart
I know you won't always be there
But you try, try
I know you can't always fix me
But you try, try
Hey, didn't I mold you?
Hey, aren't I owed?
I just want back some of my time
The youth we lost to fall in line
When we grow old our futures dim low
And What we've done is all we know
I learned how wolves ruled the east coast
Sometimes you'd come in my room
Late at night like wind blows through
You don't come, come around no more
Fight or run, you're just getting older
I know you won't always be there
But you try, try
I know you can't always fix me
But you try, try
It's hard times, running around these streets
I think about all the times gone by
I know we may not be so young anymore
I swear to God, if the boy ever breaks your heart
I know you won't always be there
But you try, try
I know you can't always fix me
But you try, try
Hey, didn't I mold you?
Hey, aren't I owed?
I just want back some of my time
The youth we lost to fall in line
When we grow old our futures dim low
And What we've done is all we know
Lyrics submitted by abamosh
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Ebba Grön
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
Holiday
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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hell yeah