"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.
8 AM morning commute, day dreaming to the thought of you
Our love was never simple, but it sure was a good time
I came to pick up my old shoes and that spinet in your living room
Tonight, Im gonna let this fly
Im gonna let this fly
Nearly half a year went by, and I'm not yours and you're not mine
You seem to have a simple time, adjusting now, at least easier than I
Found a place I thought I'd grow, along the Gulf of Mexico
It's simpler when you just don't know, I think Im going to take that flight
Im gonna let this fly
6 PM I came back for you, a high line stroll then the ballroom
Where I will play a list of songs, that I wrote for you
Our love was never simple, but it sure was a good time
I came to pick up my old shoes and that spinet in your living room
Tonight, Im gonna let this fly
Im gonna let this fly
Nearly half a year went by, and I'm not yours and you're not mine
You seem to have a simple time, adjusting now, at least easier than I
Found a place I thought I'd grow, along the Gulf of Mexico
It's simpler when you just don't know, I think Im going to take that flight
Im gonna let this fly
6 PM I came back for you, a high line stroll then the ballroom
Where I will play a list of songs, that I wrote for you
Lyrics submitted by lioninthemane
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