"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.
Oh, If you're gonna love me, love the life I lead
Need the things I need, don't try to change me
If you're gonna take me, take me for what I am
I can't be another man, I can't be free
'Cos The life I lead is the life I lead
I am not a wise man neither am I a fool
But what I am the way the good Lord made me
Though I need you more than you may ever understand
I can't wear a face that will betray me
Oh, If you're gonna love me, love the life I lead
Need the things I need, don't try to change me
If you're gonna take me, take me for what I am
I can't be another man, I can't be free
'Cos The life I lead is the life I lead
Money in my pocket never seems to last too long
I've gambled on the way and drowned my sorrows
Though God knows I can't pretend it's better on my own
I can't promise you a new tomorrow
Oh, If you're gonna love me, love the life I lead
Need the things I need, don't try to change me
If you're gonna take me, take me for what I am
I can't be another man, I can't be free
'Cos The life I lead is the life I lead
Need the things I need, don't try to change me
If you're gonna take me, take me for what I am
I can't be another man, I can't be free
'Cos The life I lead is the life I lead
I am not a wise man neither am I a fool
But what I am the way the good Lord made me
Though I need you more than you may ever understand
I can't wear a face that will betray me
Oh, If you're gonna love me, love the life I lead
Need the things I need, don't try to change me
If you're gonna take me, take me for what I am
I can't be another man, I can't be free
'Cos The life I lead is the life I lead
Money in my pocket never seems to last too long
I've gambled on the way and drowned my sorrows
Though God knows I can't pretend it's better on my own
I can't promise you a new tomorrow
Oh, If you're gonna love me, love the life I lead
Need the things I need, don't try to change me
If you're gonna take me, take me for what I am
I can't be another man, I can't be free
'Cos The life I lead is the life I lead
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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Fast Car
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