"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.
CHORUS
I could never wear that sweater
I could never wear that sweater
My grandpa gave me hand-me-down
When I put it on I look like a clown
All the kids would beat me up at school
Made me itch cause it was made of wool
Leather bound buttons in a monkey shit brown
Everywhere i go people putting me down
When i go and do the little bottom buttons up
Makes me looke like I got a big beer gut
CHORUS
Coming home late on an afternoon
My lip was all bloody and my forehead all bruised
Singing all the blues like hoody led better
All because of that shitty brown sweater
Shitty little sweater causing too much pain
Hung it in the closet never wear it again
No disrespect to my grandpa
But this sweater incident has gone too far
CHORUS
Late last June I was buying some slacks
From favourite Op shop named Aunty Jacks
Took them back to my abode
Had a good look through my big wardrobe
Then I spyed that certain sweater
But somehow it looks so much better
When I put it on no turning back
Even look good with my new brown slacks
REPEAT CHORUS TILL END
I could never wear that sweater
I could never wear that sweater
My grandpa gave me hand-me-down
When I put it on I look like a clown
All the kids would beat me up at school
Made me itch cause it was made of wool
Leather bound buttons in a monkey shit brown
Everywhere i go people putting me down
When i go and do the little bottom buttons up
Makes me looke like I got a big beer gut
CHORUS
Coming home late on an afternoon
My lip was all bloody and my forehead all bruised
Singing all the blues like hoody led better
All because of that shitty brown sweater
Shitty little sweater causing too much pain
Hung it in the closet never wear it again
No disrespect to my grandpa
But this sweater incident has gone too far
CHORUS
Late last June I was buying some slacks
From favourite Op shop named Aunty Jacks
Took them back to my abode
Had a good look through my big wardrobe
Then I spyed that certain sweater
But somehow it looks so much better
When I put it on no turning back
Even look good with my new brown slacks
REPEAT CHORUS TILL END
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Fast Car
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Page
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gr8 feel good song, just listen and laugh
Have to agree, this song is cool and Eskimo Joe rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
possibly the funkiest song for a debut...the joe rocks!!!!
So sad...never heard the tune, but have read the lyrics over and over. Its a great song, just like all their songs. eskimo joe rock!!!!!!!!
awesome feel good song and great if you're int he car driving to sing along to....i swear so many people know the song but no idea who its by! my dad likes it too! awesome....just awesome!
the band don't play it anymore and never will again.
catchy song but not what the Joes are about.
haha, i think its this guy who was a kid with the sweater and it was ugly, then he got old and suddenly the sweater looked really good on him (like his grandpa)
if just one more person at one more eskie joe gig yells for sweater i swear i'm going to have to knock them unconscious! yes, it's a pretty good song BUT anyone who causes the band to walk off early WILL feel my wrath! give it up, people, they're obviously never going to play it again and why should you complain since they've got so many many other great live songs?
I have to say, katie-s, that this attitude annoys me. I really don't like bands who 'disown' their old stuff and refuse to play it anymore, despite the fans still really wanting to hear it. The fans are the ones who got behind them in the beginning and provided them with the oppurtunity to make their arty, serious music. The very, very least they can do is show their appreciation by giving the fans their money's worth when they come to see them live. The decision to stop playing the crowd's favourite song smacks of arrogance and selfishness.
why do they refuse to play it?! its an awesum song