"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.
She doesn't have a lot of friends
She never leaves a name
She says she'll get there in the end
But for now it's just the same
My lover ain't like other girls
That folks are proud to meet
She's not in church on Sundays
She walks the street
They say that only money
Can make this creature smile
And whatever she may give you
Is rented for a while
My lover ain't like other girls
That folks are proud to meet
She's not in church on Sundays
She walks the street
She's analysed in magazines
They say her greed will make her die
She's criticized by most it seems
Especially those whom she's seen cry
My lover ain't like other girls
That folks are proud to meet
She's not in church on Sundays
She walks the street
When city dawn is breaking
She comes home silently
And though it's sleep I'm faking
She just laughs at me
And she comes to me so softly
Starling with a broken wing
And she speaks her love in silence
She's a gentle thing
My lover ain't like other girls
That folks are proud to meet
She's not in church on Sundays
She walks the street
She never leaves a name
She says she'll get there in the end
But for now it's just the same
My lover ain't like other girls
That folks are proud to meet
She's not in church on Sundays
She walks the street
They say that only money
Can make this creature smile
And whatever she may give you
Is rented for a while
My lover ain't like other girls
That folks are proud to meet
She's not in church on Sundays
She walks the street
She's analysed in magazines
They say her greed will make her die
She's criticized by most it seems
Especially those whom she's seen cry
My lover ain't like other girls
That folks are proud to meet
She's not in church on Sundays
She walks the street
When city dawn is breaking
She comes home silently
And though it's sleep I'm faking
She just laughs at me
And she comes to me so softly
Starling with a broken wing
And she speaks her love in silence
She's a gentle thing
My lover ain't like other girls
That folks are proud to meet
She's not in church on Sundays
She walks the street
Lyrics submitted by almightyapplejack
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Fast Car
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