"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.
Carolyn's a piece of coal in a world with a lust for diamonds
She really likes to dance but never gets a chance
Oh to realize her goals, and no one knew this more than I did
Ah, Carolyn please focus in
She's tired of all the streetfighting
And when will it ever end?
She's practically missed that dream train
I think she's ready to believe
The best years of her life are behind her now
Where do you think she got that idea?
From that one place, a certain some place
How does it feel?
When you've got more than a bit part in this play she's in
Oh no, the taming of Carolyn
They put a price on what she's learned
A subtle twist in her position
Her mother's worst fears are confirmed
She's taken off with some musician
Holy Shit
What kind of life is that for the child of a doormat?
Other fathers were hitting baseballs
While her dad was hitting the sauce
With never a moment's thought toward what was gained...
And what was lost
I think she's ready to believe
The best years of her life are behind her now
Where do you think she got that idea?
From that one place, a certain some place
Wipe off that grin
When you've got more than a bit part in this play she's in
Oh no, the taming of Carolyn
Can't you see?
You're asking for something she can't be
Can't you see?
Some things are solid gold we thought were only tin
And though she prefers Carolina
Everybody seems to call her Carolyn
Carolyn
When they bring you to tears
Just put your fingers in your ears and scream
Nah na na na...
Nah na na na
Nah na na na
'Cause you're just like me
Oh won't you take my hand and we'll be...
She really likes to dance but never gets a chance
Oh to realize her goals, and no one knew this more than I did
Ah, Carolyn please focus in
She's tired of all the streetfighting
And when will it ever end?
She's practically missed that dream train
I think she's ready to believe
The best years of her life are behind her now
Where do you think she got that idea?
From that one place, a certain some place
How does it feel?
When you've got more than a bit part in this play she's in
Oh no, the taming of Carolyn
They put a price on what she's learned
A subtle twist in her position
Her mother's worst fears are confirmed
She's taken off with some musician
Holy Shit
What kind of life is that for the child of a doormat?
Other fathers were hitting baseballs
While her dad was hitting the sauce
With never a moment's thought toward what was gained...
And what was lost
I think she's ready to believe
The best years of her life are behind her now
Where do you think she got that idea?
From that one place, a certain some place
Wipe off that grin
When you've got more than a bit part in this play she's in
Oh no, the taming of Carolyn
Can't you see?
You're asking for something she can't be
Can't you see?
Some things are solid gold we thought were only tin
And though she prefers Carolina
Everybody seems to call her Carolyn
Carolyn
When they bring you to tears
Just put your fingers in your ears and scream
Nah na na na...
Nah na na na
Nah na na na
'Cause you're just like me
Oh won't you take my hand and we'll be...
Lyrics submitted by mafiachuck
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