"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.
The scattered pages of a book by the sea
Held by the sand, washed by the waves
A shadow forms cast by a cloud
Skimming by as eyes of the past
But the rising tide absorbs them, effortlessly claiming
They told of one who tired of all
Singing "Praise him, praise him"
"We heed not flatterers," he cried
"By our command, waters retreat
Show my power, halt at my feet"
But the cause was lost, now cold winds blow
Far from the north, overcast ranks advance
Fear of the storm accusing with rage and scorn
The waves surround the sinking throne
Singing "Crown him, crown him"
"Those who love our majesty,
Show themselves!", all bent their knee
But he forced a smile even though his hopes
Lay dashed where offerings fell
Where they fell
"Nothing can my peace destroy
As long as none smile"
More opened ears and opened eyes
And soon they dared to laugh
See a little man with his face turning red
Though his story's often told you can tell he's dead
Held by the sand, washed by the waves
A shadow forms cast by a cloud
Skimming by as eyes of the past
But the rising tide absorbs them, effortlessly claiming
They told of one who tired of all
Singing "Praise him, praise him"
"We heed not flatterers," he cried
"By our command, waters retreat
Show my power, halt at my feet"
But the cause was lost, now cold winds blow
Far from the north, overcast ranks advance
Fear of the storm accusing with rage and scorn
The waves surround the sinking throne
Singing "Crown him, crown him"
"Those who love our majesty,
Show themselves!", all bent their knee
But he forced a smile even though his hopes
Lay dashed where offerings fell
Where they fell
"Nothing can my peace destroy
As long as none smile"
More opened ears and opened eyes
And soon they dared to laugh
See a little man with his face turning red
Though his story's often told you can tell he's dead
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
Can-Utility and the Coastliners Lyrics as written by Phil Collins Anthony Banks
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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Very beautiful song. Does anyone know how the tittle connects with the story?