"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.
It's good to be here! How've you been?
Check my bags, boy! Where's my room?
I sit on the phone, that's my game,
Keep up the pressure all the way!
I don't want to beat about the bush
but none of us are getting any younger.
There's people out there who could take your place.
A more commercial view! A fresher face!
I need a shower, take a nap
I'll meet you in the bar, we must have a rap.
There's a lot on the line, a lot to say.
There's something I must tell you today.
You and I both know the score,
you can't go on like this forever.
So it's with regret that I tell you now
that from this moment on,
you're on your own!
I don't talk round corners, it's right between the eyes
If you're slow they'll run past you,
Stand tall, see them falling over.
I walk a straight line, it's right between the eyes.
Well show me the door, show me someone who'll do it better.
The drinks are on me, be my guest.
Smoke a cigar? Take the best.
Don't hedge your bets, we can make a deal,
you got it in your pocket, how do you feel?
So glad that's over, now you know,
but I'm only acting under orders.
And looking down on you from way up here.
You've got to sink or swim, get off the floor!
I don't talk round corners, it's right between the eyes
If you're slow they'll run past you,
Stand tall, see them falling over,
I walk a straight line, right between the eyes.
Well show me the door, show me someone who'll do it better.
Check my bags, boy! Where's my room?
I sit on the phone, that's my game,
Keep up the pressure all the way!
I don't want to beat about the bush
but none of us are getting any younger.
There's people out there who could take your place.
A more commercial view! A fresher face!
I need a shower, take a nap
I'll meet you in the bar, we must have a rap.
There's a lot on the line, a lot to say.
There's something I must tell you today.
You and I both know the score,
you can't go on like this forever.
So it's with regret that I tell you now
that from this moment on,
you're on your own!
I don't talk round corners, it's right between the eyes
If you're slow they'll run past you,
Stand tall, see them falling over.
I walk a straight line, it's right between the eyes.
Well show me the door, show me someone who'll do it better.
The drinks are on me, be my guest.
Smoke a cigar? Take the best.
Don't hedge your bets, we can make a deal,
you got it in your pocket, how do you feel?
So glad that's over, now you know,
but I'm only acting under orders.
And looking down on you from way up here.
You've got to sink or swim, get off the floor!
I don't talk round corners, it's right between the eyes
If you're slow they'll run past you,
Stand tall, see them falling over,
I walk a straight line, right between the eyes.
Well show me the door, show me someone who'll do it better.
Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae
Down and Out Lyrics as written by Phil Collins Anthony George Banks
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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