"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 remember you well at the Chelsea Hotel
You were talking so brave, so sweet
Giving me head on an unmade bed
While the limousines wait in the streets
And those were the reasons
And that was New York
You were running for the money and flesh
And that was called love for the workers in the song
And probably still is for those of them left
But you got away
You just turned your back on the crowd
You got away
I never once heard you say
"I need you"
"I don't need you"
"I need you"
"I don't need you"
And all that jiving around
I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel
You were famous
Your heart was a legend
You told me again
You preferred beautiful young men
But for me...you'd make an exception
And clenching your fist for the ones like us
Who are oppressed by the figures of beauty
You fixed yourself up
You said
"Well never mine, we're ugly, but we have the music"
But you got away
You just turned your back on the crowd
And you got away
I never once heard you say
"I need you"
"I don't need you"
"I need you"
"I don't need you"
And all that jiving around
I dont mean to suggest that I loved you the best
Honestly I know I think you tried
I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel
Huh, that's all
I don't even really think of you that often
You were talking so brave, so sweet
Giving me head on an unmade bed
While the limousines wait in the streets
And those were the reasons
And that was New York
You were running for the money and flesh
And that was called love for the workers in the song
And probably still is for those of them left
But you got away
You just turned your back on the crowd
You got away
I never once heard you say
"I need you"
"I don't need you"
"I need you"
"I don't need you"
And all that jiving around
I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel
You were famous
Your heart was a legend
You told me again
You preferred beautiful young men
But for me...you'd make an exception
And clenching your fist for the ones like us
Who are oppressed by the figures of beauty
You fixed yourself up
You said
"Well never mine, we're ugly, but we have the music"
But you got away
You just turned your back on the crowd
And you got away
I never once heard you say
"I need you"
"I don't need you"
"I need you"
"I don't need you"
And all that jiving around
I dont mean to suggest that I loved you the best
Honestly I know I think you tried
I remember you well in the Chelsea Hotel
Huh, that's all
I don't even really think of you that often
Lyrics submitted by worldlistener
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Fast Car
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