"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.
Cheap shot hocked straight to the ear drum
Is it some sick sign of affection?
Violated and singed with deceit
Disgust from my head to my hands to my feet
Your face, it gives a foul taste
Whether smiling, crying or denying
I see your motives
and you're charged with fraud by me
So take the hint and leave
{Chorus}
I loved you while he was in you in the shower
Did (in joy and ecstacy) your eyes begin to water?
And if I may stop by when you're living in the next town
Ten years down the road
A good time for a dime and a crushed cigarette
Making bets with your body on the avenue
Look into my eyes you say
And you'll see nothing but sincerity
Almost as if you've got some hope that you'll enlighten me
You're a head case story
{Chorus}
Just trust me you said
Just trust me you said
Just trust me you said!
Just trust me you said!!!
{Chorus}
Is it some sick sign of affection?
Violated and singed with deceit
Disgust from my head to my hands to my feet
Your face, it gives a foul taste
Whether smiling, crying or denying
I see your motives
and you're charged with fraud by me
So take the hint and leave
{Chorus}
I loved you while he was in you in the shower
Did (in joy and ecstacy) your eyes begin to water?
And if I may stop by when you're living in the next town
Ten years down the road
A good time for a dime and a crushed cigarette
Making bets with your body on the avenue
Look into my eyes you say
And you'll see nothing but sincerity
Almost as if you've got some hope that you'll enlighten me
You're a head case story
{Chorus}
Just trust me you said
Just trust me you said
Just trust me you said!
Just trust me you said!!!
{Chorus}
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Fast Car
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LoL, this song cracks me up. It's a little perverted... "I LOVED YOU WHILE HE WAS IN YOU IN THE SHOWER"?...
What's that about? :-\