"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.
Just for one night, can we pretend that this is normal
Just for tonight, can we pretend that nothing’s wrong
Can we forget that we are tired and broken
Tonight, can we act like we’re still strong
Just for one night, can we pretend the worst is over
Just for tonight, can we allow ourselves to breathe
Can we let die the flames that burn around us
Tonight, can we live without disease
If we question our impermanence
We may not live forever
But if the sun comes up tomorrow
Why should we hope for better
Just for one night, can we pretend that we are happy
Just for tonight, can we leave behind our grief
Can we ignore the storm clouds in the distance
Tonight, can we rely on our belief
Just for one night, can we laugh at our misfortune
Just for tonight, can we sing away the fear
Can we let go of everything that we’ve lost
Tonight, can we hold the future near
If we question our impermanence
We may not live forever
But if the sun comes up tomorrow
Why should we hope for better
Just for tonight, can we pretend that nothing’s wrong
Can we forget that we are tired and broken
Tonight, can we act like we’re still strong
Just for one night, can we pretend the worst is over
Just for tonight, can we allow ourselves to breathe
Can we let die the flames that burn around us
Tonight, can we live without disease
If we question our impermanence
We may not live forever
But if the sun comes up tomorrow
Why should we hope for better
Just for one night, can we pretend that we are happy
Just for tonight, can we leave behind our grief
Can we ignore the storm clouds in the distance
Tonight, can we rely on our belief
Just for one night, can we laugh at our misfortune
Just for tonight, can we sing away the fear
Can we let go of everything that we’ve lost
Tonight, can we hold the future near
If we question our impermanence
We may not live forever
But if the sun comes up tomorrow
Why should we hope for better
Lyrics submitted by sirenfall
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