"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.
'Hey, you're a riddle',
I say as I move aside
(Like I really need your advice)
But you won't leave it alone
Little men try but don't get a lot done
Living in sin doesn't move me either way
I get a feeling you're so vague
Like I said before
Little men come when anything goes
[Chorus]
When the rain comes I sit home and pray
Make it all numb
I wish it all away
All I really need is just somewhere to hide away
Kick him when he's down
Here alone I'll put up and fight
Kick him when he's down
Beat me all the way I'll take it all night
Kick him when he's down
Hey, don't worry, I'll get along home alright
Hey, everybody's supposed to be the same
So how come they're so lame?
It's like taking a fall
Keep on running back into that wall
Awake in a dream, get up and go to work
But I'm feeling like such a jerk
Like I said before
Little men come when everything goes
[Chorus]
'Hey, you're a riddle' I say as I move aside
(Like I really need your advice)
But you won't leave it alone
Little men try but don't get a lot done
Living in sin doesn't move me either way
I get a feeling you're so vague
Like I said before
Little men come when anything goes
I say as I move aside
(Like I really need your advice)
But you won't leave it alone
Little men try but don't get a lot done
Living in sin doesn't move me either way
I get a feeling you're so vague
Like I said before
Little men come when anything goes
[Chorus]
When the rain comes I sit home and pray
Make it all numb
I wish it all away
All I really need is just somewhere to hide away
Kick him when he's down
Here alone I'll put up and fight
Kick him when he's down
Beat me all the way I'll take it all night
Kick him when he's down
Hey, don't worry, I'll get along home alright
Hey, everybody's supposed to be the same
So how come they're so lame?
It's like taking a fall
Keep on running back into that wall
Awake in a dream, get up and go to work
But I'm feeling like such a jerk
Like I said before
Little men come when everything goes
[Chorus]
'Hey, you're a riddle' I say as I move aside
(Like I really need your advice)
But you won't leave it alone
Little men try but don't get a lot done
Living in sin doesn't move me either way
I get a feeling you're so vague
Like I said before
Little men come when anything goes
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