"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 sat down and wrote this letter
Telling you that I felt better
Since you'd gone and I was free
I'm so happy
I have so little time to spare now
I'm wanted almost everywhere now
I make out like Casanova
Friends are always coming over
Signed my name as if I meant it
Sealed it with a kiss and sent it
The letter had improved my mood
Happy in my solitude
But halfway home I changed my tune
And when I saw my lonely room
The mirror caught my eye
When I sit down I cry
Big lie small world
Big lie small world
I had to intercept that letter
Telling you that I was better
I raced to catch the postman's van
He was leaving as I ran
I miss the bus I miss the train
I end up walking in the rain
Big dog chased me down the street
I hadn't had a bite to eat
Feeling sorry for myself
Wishing I was someone else
I walked across the city
'Cause I couldn't stand your pity
Big lie small world
Big lie small world
The place you live looks opulent
And obviously a higher rent
Than our cozy little room
I had this sense of doom
The landlord says you're out of town
That your new boyfriend's always around
The hour was getting late
So I sit down and wait
Here's the postman with my letter
Coming down the path, he'd better
Give that thing to me
I have to make him see
Begging doesn't do the trick
He thinks that I'm a lunatic
And then who comes upon the scene
But your new boyfriend Mr. Clean
I hit the postman, hit your lover
Grabbed the letter ran for cover
The police arrived in time for tea
Said they'd like to question me
I can only curse my fate
I have to face the magistrate
It hasn't been the best of days
I'd like to fly away
Big lie small world
Big lie small world
Telling you that I felt better
Since you'd gone and I was free
I'm so happy
I have so little time to spare now
I'm wanted almost everywhere now
I make out like Casanova
Friends are always coming over
Signed my name as if I meant it
Sealed it with a kiss and sent it
The letter had improved my mood
Happy in my solitude
But halfway home I changed my tune
And when I saw my lonely room
The mirror caught my eye
When I sit down I cry
Big lie small world
Big lie small world
I had to intercept that letter
Telling you that I was better
I raced to catch the postman's van
He was leaving as I ran
I miss the bus I miss the train
I end up walking in the rain
Big dog chased me down the street
I hadn't had a bite to eat
Feeling sorry for myself
Wishing I was someone else
I walked across the city
'Cause I couldn't stand your pity
Big lie small world
Big lie small world
The place you live looks opulent
And obviously a higher rent
Than our cozy little room
I had this sense of doom
The landlord says you're out of town
That your new boyfriend's always around
The hour was getting late
So I sit down and wait
Here's the postman with my letter
Coming down the path, he'd better
Give that thing to me
I have to make him see
Begging doesn't do the trick
He thinks that I'm a lunatic
And then who comes upon the scene
But your new boyfriend Mr. Clean
I hit the postman, hit your lover
Grabbed the letter ran for cover
The police arrived in time for tea
Said they'd like to question me
I can only curse my fate
I have to face the magistrate
It hasn't been the best of days
I'd like to fly away
Big lie small world
Big lie small world
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