"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.
Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?
Do you get what you're hoping for?
When you look behind you, there's no open doors
What are you hoping for?
Do you know?
Once we were standing still in time
Chasing the fantasies that filled our minds
You knew how I loved you, but my spirit was free
Laughing at the questions that you once asked of me
Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?
Now looking back at all we planned
We let so many dreams just slip through our hands
Why must we wait so long before we see
How sad the answers to those questions can be?
Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?
Do you get what you're hoping for?
When you look behind you, there's no open doors
What are you hoping for?
Do you know?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?
Do you get what you're hoping for?
When you look behind you, there's no open doors
What are you hoping for?
Do you know?
Once we were standing still in time
Chasing the fantasies that filled our minds
You knew how I loved you, but my spirit was free
Laughing at the questions that you once asked of me
Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?
Now looking back at all we planned
We let so many dreams just slip through our hands
Why must we wait so long before we see
How sad the answers to those questions can be?
Do you know where you're going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?
Do you get what you're hoping for?
When you look behind you, there's no open doors
What are you hoping for?
Do you know?
Lyrics submitted by TheFunkyMudgoose
Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) Lyrics as written by Michael Masser Gerry Goffin
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
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Great version of a great song,
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Aw, Mahogany! I love that movie; I love Billy Dee Williams in it, and I remember when I first watched this movie, and I was 16--and I wished I was Diana Ross.
This song they definitely play a lot, but it's a real beautiful concept about life and your dreams...
Wow! I can't believe there is only comment about this hauntingly beautiful song!
I was 11 when the movie and its theme song came out. I remember first hearing how the sweet but introspective opening lines were wonderfully delivered, stopping me in my tracks to question "what am I going to?" and "what am I hoping for?" The pondering questions still seem thought-provoking and relevant.
As far as interpretation of the lyrics, I am going to take a stab at this but would really appreciate more thoughts.
With this part:
Once we were standin' still in time Chasin' the fantasies that filled our minds
the song seems to be addressing the present or at least looking further into the past when questioning the quality of ones life or if decisions were made wisely because at that time (I'm guessing when much younger) there didn't seem to be any need for reflection.
Now, there is a pause to contemplate and question whether decisions and/or plans were made wisely:
Now lookin' back at all we've planned We let so many dreams just slip through our hands
The song turns to more sadness with the next part:
Why must we wait so long before we'll see? How sad the answers to those questions can be?
Since one of the main themes in the movie is about a romance (main character ("Mahogany") choosing her career over person she loved), it would logical for the "questions" would relate to how acted in romantic relationship (like "where are you going to" could be about choosing love and treating someone with love, etc.), but the song seems to be just a soliloquy asking some deep questions about if one's life seems meaningful or satisfactory.