"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.
Bein' at most just a country boy innocent and all
I turned my face away from the farm, on the city I'd call
Hey, what's doin' in the town of fortune and fame?
Bright lights a-glowin', I've come to make my name
You see I've got my ol' guitar, I'm not a beggin' fool
I play this town and a thousand more (God knows)
God knows I keep my cool
So what's missin' I've given my world the best
And I'm downright grateful, for Oh Yeah, my life's been blessed
[CHORUS]
My my, can't you see the warnin'
When the fires burn you better pay
Oh Yeah it's gonna get you in the mornin'
Now's your chance you better get away
Stayed awake 'most all last night, just couldn't get to sleep
So many things sittin' on my brain, yes, I need a chance to think
But I've been told not to worry, everything's gonna be all right
Oh, mama, won't you tell me, why did I leave that night?
Seems like it's been ages ago now since I come to town
Ain't much changed, every face is the same
Oh, people just a-hangin' round
So I'm a-leavin' this mornin', gonna go back home today
And let me tell you, buddy, turn around if you're fixin' to stay
You better go on home today
[REPEAT CHORUS]
[REPEAT CHORUS]
I turned my face away from the farm, on the city I'd call
Hey, what's doin' in the town of fortune and fame?
Bright lights a-glowin', I've come to make my name
You see I've got my ol' guitar, I'm not a beggin' fool
I play this town and a thousand more (God knows)
God knows I keep my cool
So what's missin' I've given my world the best
And I'm downright grateful, for Oh Yeah, my life's been blessed
[CHORUS]
My my, can't you see the warnin'
When the fires burn you better pay
Oh Yeah it's gonna get you in the mornin'
Now's your chance you better get away
Stayed awake 'most all last night, just couldn't get to sleep
So many things sittin' on my brain, yes, I need a chance to think
But I've been told not to worry, everything's gonna be all right
Oh, mama, won't you tell me, why did I leave that night?
Seems like it's been ages ago now since I come to town
Ain't much changed, every face is the same
Oh, people just a-hangin' round
So I'm a-leavin' this mornin', gonna go back home today
And let me tell you, buddy, turn around if you're fixin' to stay
You better go on home today
[REPEAT CHORUS]
[REPEAT CHORUS]
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Fast Car
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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Great version of a great song,
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