"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 traded fame for love
Without a second thought
It all became a silly a game
Some things cannot be bought
I got exactly what I asked for
Wanted it so badly
Running, rushing back for more
I suffered fools so gladly
And now I find
I've changed my mind
The face of you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
Should I wait for you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
I traveled round the world
Looking for a home
I found myself in crowded rooms
Feeling so alone
I had so many lovers
Who settled for the thrill
Of basking in my spotlight
I never felt so happy
The face of you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
Should I wait for you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
Famous faces, far off places
Trinkets I can buy
No handsome stranger, heady danger
Drug that I can try
No ferris wheel, no heart to steal
No laughter in the dark
No one-night stand, no far-off land
No fire that I can spark
The face of you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
Should I wait for you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
Now I find I've changed my mind
This is my religion
Without a second thought
It all became a silly a game
Some things cannot be bought
I got exactly what I asked for
Wanted it so badly
Running, rushing back for more
I suffered fools so gladly
And now I find
I've changed my mind
The face of you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
Should I wait for you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
I traveled round the world
Looking for a home
I found myself in crowded rooms
Feeling so alone
I had so many lovers
Who settled for the thrill
Of basking in my spotlight
I never felt so happy
The face of you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
Should I wait for you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
Famous faces, far off places
Trinkets I can buy
No handsome stranger, heady danger
Drug that I can try
No ferris wheel, no heart to steal
No laughter in the dark
No one-night stand, no far-off land
No fire that I can spark
The face of you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
Should I wait for you
My substitute for love
My substitute for love
Now I find I've changed my mind
This is my religion
Lyrics submitted by spliphstar
Drowned World/Substitute for Love Lyrics as written by David Collins Madonna Ciccone
Lyrics © DELLA BLUE MUSIC LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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In Heartfelt post-Evita Rock Ballad Drowned World/Substitue for Love, Our Lady-Madonna happens to be her name Cries and Reflects on her life-where from now on in brilliant sadness-will "Trade Fame for Love and concludes that unconditional love is Her Answer-Madonna does it in such a way that I can't help but love, respect and admire her for her Final Decision-like I am speaking to a Friend. Yes, Madonna is Sad but she's being friendly and honestly likeable about it all. The hard edges begin to soften and this time, Our Lady has no time to Strike a Pose. Madonna Cries "You see/And Now I Find/I've Changed My Mind/This (Love) is my Religion!" As Madonna Breaks Down and Cries in Sad Tears, She Embraces Lola and Gives Her a Hug in said video. Lola Has Changed Madonna's life. Now that Lola is Sweet 16, she and Mother Madge have a bond that is unbroken. Like mother, like daughter. From Ray of Light to MDNA, Drowned World/Substitute for Love is a beautiful Madonna ballad artwork that truly affected me in a positive way. Thank You M.L. Ciccone for showing me the way home. Madonna in return is home because Love saved her from the seamy and destructive effects of Reality Cuture, Celebrity and Fame. Now more than ever, Drowned World/Substitute for Love sealed and immortalized Madonna's musical legacy, artistry and integrity-a salient American victory and a beautiful homecoming under the Pure Michigan Skies-Detroit Rock City. Madonna-a huge reason for the revival of Detroit-Amen, Madge!