"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 split my palm To test the flame But there was nothing in me I need reaction At every cost And I hope they find me Before it all gets lost What will it take to make you come through All of the fingers pointing at you It all makes sense it stays on track Hook line and sinker and you're never coming back I'm slipping into cracks i've made And come up on the outside Infected daily the poison runs Like oil paintings spoiling in the sun You left me raw Raw The teeth will grind And the dogs will bark But nobody is listening You may believe me But I could have lied It's all conclusive There's nothing left inside They're hatching now
Lyrics submitted by Psychedeliasmith
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This is class. It has a lot of influence by the American post-HC band Helmet and does not let up til the last chord.
The lyrics are a bit stream-of-consciousness, but seem to be directed at someone or something (or perhaps everything) that's tried to break the lyricist's spirit.
Great tune. Also check out Stoopi and JoR. Two other class British metal bands.