"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.
Face down in the gutter won't admit defeat though his clothes are soiled and black,
He's a big, strong man with a childs mind,
Don't you take his booze away!
He's been at it for years drinking balls and beer he's a hero to most he meets,
But inside he cries black swollen eyes,
This man he sheds no tears!
Now his wife & kids sing a different tune as they worry about their daddy dying,
But this arrogant fool breaks every rule it'll be nothing but pride that kills him.
Could he listen no he won't that's all she wrote he'll be dead before the daylight shines,
But the thoughts and prayers of a million strong might keep this fool from dying.
Could he listen no he won't that's all she wrote he'll be dead before the daylight shines,
But the thoughts and prayers of a million strong might keep this fool from dying.
He's a legend in the bar with every scar fights a thousand bigger men,
But now he fights and looses got all the bruises will someone please step in?
Cause this Irish fools got a great big heart he keeps climbing back in to the ring
In the low down circles where he holds his court this man he once was king.
Could he listen no he won't that's all she wrote he'll be dead before the daylight shines,
But the thoughts and prayers of a million strong might keep this fool from dying.
Could he listen no he won't that's all she wrote he'll be dead before the daylight shines,
But the thoughts and prayers of a million strong might keep this fool from dying
He's a big, strong man with a childs mind,
Don't you take his booze away!
He's been at it for years drinking balls and beer he's a hero to most he meets,
But inside he cries black swollen eyes,
This man he sheds no tears!
Now his wife & kids sing a different tune as they worry about their daddy dying,
But this arrogant fool breaks every rule it'll be nothing but pride that kills him.
Could he listen no he won't that's all she wrote he'll be dead before the daylight shines,
But the thoughts and prayers of a million strong might keep this fool from dying.
Could he listen no he won't that's all she wrote he'll be dead before the daylight shines,
But the thoughts and prayers of a million strong might keep this fool from dying.
He's a legend in the bar with every scar fights a thousand bigger men,
But now he fights and looses got all the bruises will someone please step in?
Cause this Irish fools got a great big heart he keeps climbing back in to the ring
In the low down circles where he holds his court this man he once was king.
Could he listen no he won't that's all she wrote he'll be dead before the daylight shines,
But the thoughts and prayers of a million strong might keep this fool from dying.
Could he listen no he won't that's all she wrote he'll be dead before the daylight shines,
But the thoughts and prayers of a million strong might keep this fool from dying
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Fast Car
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This is one of my favorite songs. https://fnfgo.io
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I think it was about the guy that steps in to stop the fight and saves the guy. the barroom hero saves the drunk that always fights.