"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.
(What can I do)
(You win again)
The news is out
All over town
That you've been seen
Just a running 'round
I know that I
Should leave, but then
I just can't go
You win again
This heart of mine
Could never see
What everybody knew about me
Just trustin' you
Was my great sin
What can I do
You win again, yes
(What can I do)
(You win again)
I'm sorry for
Your victim now
'Cause soon, his head
Like mine will bow
He'll give his heart
But all in vain
And some day say
You win again
You have no heart
You have no shame
You take true love
And give the blame
I'll guess that I
Should not complain
I love you still
Well, you win again
I love you still
You win again
Win again
(You win again)
The news is out
All over town
That you've been seen
Just a running 'round
I know that I
Should leave, but then
I just can't go
You win again
This heart of mine
Could never see
What everybody knew about me
Just trustin' you
Was my great sin
What can I do
You win again, yes
(What can I do)
(You win again)
I'm sorry for
Your victim now
'Cause soon, his head
Like mine will bow
He'll give his heart
But all in vain
And some day say
You win again
You have no heart
You have no shame
You take true love
And give the blame
I'll guess that I
Should not complain
I love you still
Well, you win again
I love you still
You win again
Win again
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Fast Car
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Page
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