"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.
Chain me-o-oo- (chain me, chain me free)
Lose the-o-oo-key, right now!
She was from my home town,
I'd never met her
Ditched her boyfriends
'Cause I was better
She showed me pictures in her car...
Pictures of the Beach Boys
And Kelly Slater
Bounced from the party
'Cause the girls all hate her
She said she wants to see the stars
She's had some fast times
First times always last times
Out in the foxglove, I'm in...
Chain me-o-oo- free, (chain me, chain me free)
Or let it all fall
We can be all, we can be all, I said
What's in your head?
Lose the-o-oo- key (Lose, Lose the key)
Or please don't call
We can be all, we can be all, I said
She kissed me dead.
She calls me during Loveline
And gets the machine
She wants to see me
But not to be seen
As if she's got some mystery (mystery)
I missed her for a few weeks
Before I called her
Still didn't get it,
So this is how I stalled her:
Even though you're seventeen,
I've got to tell ya'
You're too old for me
She's had some fast times
First times always last times
Out in the foxglove, was thatâ?¦?
Chain me-o-oo- free, (chain me, chain me free)
Or let it all fall
We can be all, we can be all, I said
What's in your head?
Lose the-o-oo- key (Lose the, Lose the key)
Or please don't call
We can be all, we can be all, I said
She kissed me dead.
You're all drugged out and delirious
Don't close your eyes - are you hearing this?
I'm about to say something
That I swore I'd never say
I gotta get it out before I get away
I gotta get away before I get it out
I gotta get away before I get it out
I gotta get away before I get it out
Chain me free
Lose the key
Lose the-o-oo-key, right now!
She was from my home town,
I'd never met her
Ditched her boyfriends
'Cause I was better
She showed me pictures in her car...
Pictures of the Beach Boys
And Kelly Slater
Bounced from the party
'Cause the girls all hate her
She said she wants to see the stars
She's had some fast times
First times always last times
Out in the foxglove, I'm in...
Chain me-o-oo- free, (chain me, chain me free)
Or let it all fall
We can be all, we can be all, I said
What's in your head?
Lose the-o-oo- key (Lose, Lose the key)
Or please don't call
We can be all, we can be all, I said
She kissed me dead.
She calls me during Loveline
And gets the machine
She wants to see me
But not to be seen
As if she's got some mystery (mystery)
I missed her for a few weeks
Before I called her
Still didn't get it,
So this is how I stalled her:
Even though you're seventeen,
I've got to tell ya'
You're too old for me
She's had some fast times
First times always last times
Out in the foxglove, was thatâ?¦?
Chain me-o-oo- free, (chain me, chain me free)
Or let it all fall
We can be all, we can be all, I said
What's in your head?
Lose the-o-oo- key (Lose the, Lose the key)
Or please don't call
We can be all, we can be all, I said
She kissed me dead.
You're all drugged out and delirious
Don't close your eyes - are you hearing this?
I'm about to say something
That I swore I'd never say
I gotta get it out before I get away
I gotta get away before I get it out
I gotta get away before I get it out
I gotta get away before I get it out
Chain me free
Lose the key
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
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The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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Page
Ed Sheeran
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i partialy agree with lalvarien i think its a relationship but i think the girl is more of a groupie maybe? which would be why he didnt know her.