"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 figured all the years we shared were proof enough
To extend my hand and help you
I know that getting started can be rough
Enthused smile, you seemed grateful
I felt real good about myself
That's until the day you showed me
You don't need anybody else
[Chorus]
Why'd you have to go?
And make me say these things about you
Why'd you have to turn around?
After all that we've been through
I figured all the memories were proof enough (proof enough)
To maybe open your eyes
From the people you think hold your trust
Do you ever smile and find it shameful?
'cause you don't know who you are
I am glad you never told me
You needed anybody else
[Chorus]
What will you do when there's no one to fall back on?
I won't be there
I've learned my lesson
What will you do when there's no friends to fall back on?
Because they've all been stepped on
[Chorus]
After all that we've been through
Why'd you have to go?
(Why'd you have to go?)
Why'd you have to turn around?
After all that we've been through
What will you do when there's no one to fall back on?
To extend my hand and help you
I know that getting started can be rough
Enthused smile, you seemed grateful
I felt real good about myself
That's until the day you showed me
You don't need anybody else
[Chorus]
Why'd you have to go?
And make me say these things about you
Why'd you have to turn around?
After all that we've been through
I figured all the memories were proof enough (proof enough)
To maybe open your eyes
From the people you think hold your trust
Do you ever smile and find it shameful?
'cause you don't know who you are
I am glad you never told me
You needed anybody else
[Chorus]
What will you do when there's no one to fall back on?
I won't be there
I've learned my lesson
What will you do when there's no friends to fall back on?
Because they've all been stepped on
[Chorus]
After all that we've been through
Why'd you have to go?
(Why'd you have to go?)
Why'd you have to turn around?
After all that we've been through
What will you do when there's no one to fall back on?
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Fast Car
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if you think this is the best song in the history of NFG than you have some severe hearing problems