"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.
One, two, one, two, three, four
Shed a tear 'cause I'm missin' you
I'm still alright to smile
Girl, I think about you every day now
Was a time when I wasn't sure
But you set my mind at ease
There is no doubt you're in my heart now
Said "Woman, take it slow and it'll work itself out fine"
All we need is just a little patience
Said "Sugar, make it slow and we'll come together fine"
All we need is just a little patience
(Patience) ooh, yeah
I sit here on the stairs 'cause I'd rather be alone
If I can't have you right now, I'll wait, dear
Sometimes I get so tense but I can't speed up the time
But you know, love, there's one more thing to consider
Said "Woman, take it slow and things will be just fine"
You and I'll just use a little patience
Said "Sugar, take the time 'cause the lights are shinin' bright"
You and I've got what it takes to make it
We won't fake it, oh, I'll never break it
'Cause I can't take it
(Little patience, yeah, yeah)
(Need a little patience, yeah)
(Just a little patience, yeah)
(Some more patience, yeah) I've been walking the streets at night
Just trying to get it right (a little patience, yeah)
It's hard to see with so many around
You know I don't like being stuck in the crowd (could use some patience, yeah)
And the streets don't change but maybe the names
I ain't got time for the game 'cause I need you (gotta have more patience, yeah)
Yea-yeah, but I need you (all need more patience)
Oh, I need you (all need some patience)
Oh, I need you (just a little patience)
Ooh this time (is all you need)
Shed a tear 'cause I'm missin' you
I'm still alright to smile
Girl, I think about you every day now
Was a time when I wasn't sure
But you set my mind at ease
There is no doubt you're in my heart now
Said "Woman, take it slow and it'll work itself out fine"
All we need is just a little patience
Said "Sugar, make it slow and we'll come together fine"
All we need is just a little patience
(Patience) ooh, yeah
I sit here on the stairs 'cause I'd rather be alone
If I can't have you right now, I'll wait, dear
Sometimes I get so tense but I can't speed up the time
But you know, love, there's one more thing to consider
Said "Woman, take it slow and things will be just fine"
You and I'll just use a little patience
Said "Sugar, take the time 'cause the lights are shinin' bright"
You and I've got what it takes to make it
We won't fake it, oh, I'll never break it
'Cause I can't take it
(Little patience, yeah, yeah)
(Need a little patience, yeah)
(Just a little patience, yeah)
(Some more patience, yeah) I've been walking the streets at night
Just trying to get it right (a little patience, yeah)
It's hard to see with so many around
You know I don't like being stuck in the crowd (could use some patience, yeah)
And the streets don't change but maybe the names
I ain't got time for the game 'cause I need you (gotta have more patience, yeah)
Yea-yeah, but I need you (all need more patience)
Oh, I need you (all need some patience)
Oh, I need you (just a little patience)
Ooh this time (is all you need)
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Im probably way off on this one, but i think it is about Axle not bieng able to please his woman sexually. He has whiskey dick or somethin. And all they need is patience, just my fucked up take on it.