"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.
What will you do if we let you go home
And the plastic's all melted
And so is the chrome?
Who are the brain police?
What will you do when the label comes off
And the plastic's all melted
And the chrome is too soft?
Wah
I think I'm gonna die
I think I'm gonna die
I think I'm going to die
I think I'm going to die
I think I'm going to die
I think I'm going to die
I'm gonna die
I think I'm going to die
I think I'm gonna die
I'm going to die
I think I'm gonna die
I think I'm gonna die
I think I'm gonna die
I think I'm gonna die
I think I'm gonna die
I think I'm going to die
I think I'm going to die
I think I'm going to die
I think I'm going to die
Who are the brain police?
What will you do if the people you knew
Were the plastic that melted
And the chromium too?
Who are the brain police?
And the plastic's all melted
And so is the chrome?
Who are the brain police?
What will you do when the label comes off
And the plastic's all melted
And the chrome is too soft?
Wah
I think I'm gonna die
I think I'm gonna die
I think I'm going to die
I think I'm going to die
I think I'm going to die
I think I'm going to die
I'm gonna die
I think I'm going to die
I think I'm gonna die
I'm going to die
I think I'm gonna die
I think I'm gonna die
I think I'm gonna die
I think I'm gonna die
I think I'm gonna die
I think I'm going to die
I think I'm going to die
I think I'm going to die
I think I'm going to die
Who are the brain police?
What will you do if the people you knew
Were the plastic that melted
And the chromium too?
Who are the brain police?
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Fast Car
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I remember I was driving home late one night, I was tired and this song came on my mp3 player and about half way through It got to the "I think im going to die" part and I thought at the time it was saying your going to die, anyway it really freaked me out the only time music has ever scared me.
I noticed you used the word "freak" in your post ;) I believe this song is about looking inward at oneself and worrying who we've become. The individual is the "brain police." Interesting song. Thanks for the look.