"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 hear tell there's big fun tonight
On the corner of Main and Dog-Meat-Bite
Friday midnights would not be right
Without Redd's hot party and a nasty fight
But I'll be in your corner
I'll be in your corner, if they do
I'll be in your corner
I'll be in your corner, if they do
You can't renege 'cause it's gon' be live
Fine women, lots of liquor and stuff for your mind
Now where we're goin' they don't like your kind
But they'll cool when you tell them you're a friend of mine
'Cause I'll be in your corner
I'll be in your corner, if they do
I'll be in your corner
I'll be in your corner, if they do
You can't tell your pa and mama
Where we're goin' 'til after we've been there
'Cause it might make their poor heads worry
And worrying can cause grey hair
And one thing just might lead to another
And if there's any trouble they'll blame it on me
I think we just might have two to go
The pretty's lookin' over here from the middle of the floor
We'll make a b-line to Hotel La Sin
Where you'll do the talkin 'to get us in
And I'll be in your corner
I'll be in your corner, if they do
We shoulda been long gone 'cause this place is hot, ouch
'Cause in the corner there are two brothers who are undercover cops
If they stop us for questioning, mum is the word
'Cause a question not answered is a answer not heard
And I'll be in your corner
I'll be in your corner, if they do
You know, I'll be in your corner
I'll be in your corner, if they do
You can't tell your pa and mama
Where we're goin' 'til after we've been there
'Cause it might make their poor heads worry
And worrying can cause grey hair
And one thing just might lead to another
And if there's any trouble they'll blame it on me
You can't tell your pa and mama
Where we're goin' 'til after we've been there
'Cause that might make their poor heads worry
And worrying can cause grey hair
And one thing just might lead to another
And if there's any trouble I know they'll blame it on me
Yes, they will, yes, I
On the corner of Main and Dog-Meat-Bite
Friday midnights would not be right
Without Redd's hot party and a nasty fight
But I'll be in your corner
I'll be in your corner, if they do
I'll be in your corner
I'll be in your corner, if they do
You can't renege 'cause it's gon' be live
Fine women, lots of liquor and stuff for your mind
Now where we're goin' they don't like your kind
But they'll cool when you tell them you're a friend of mine
'Cause I'll be in your corner
I'll be in your corner, if they do
I'll be in your corner
I'll be in your corner, if they do
You can't tell your pa and mama
Where we're goin' 'til after we've been there
'Cause it might make their poor heads worry
And worrying can cause grey hair
And one thing just might lead to another
And if there's any trouble they'll blame it on me
I think we just might have two to go
The pretty's lookin' over here from the middle of the floor
We'll make a b-line to Hotel La Sin
Where you'll do the talkin 'to get us in
And I'll be in your corner
I'll be in your corner, if they do
We shoulda been long gone 'cause this place is hot, ouch
'Cause in the corner there are two brothers who are undercover cops
If they stop us for questioning, mum is the word
'Cause a question not answered is a answer not heard
And I'll be in your corner
I'll be in your corner, if they do
You know, I'll be in your corner
I'll be in your corner, if they do
You can't tell your pa and mama
Where we're goin' 'til after we've been there
'Cause it might make their poor heads worry
And worrying can cause grey hair
And one thing just might lead to another
And if there's any trouble they'll blame it on me
You can't tell your pa and mama
Where we're goin' 'til after we've been there
'Cause that might make their poor heads worry
And worrying can cause grey hair
And one thing just might lead to another
And if there's any trouble I know they'll blame it on me
Yes, they will, yes, I
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