"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.
man have I been far away?
in short of words
afraid of nothing
with nothing at all around
how could you know?
how could I have let you know
when there was all but nothing in me
yes I blew it all away
into public air
it was right in front og me
it was almost there
how could they know?
I can understand how little
they could understand of what went...
down and down and down it goes
when stepping off the open road
but you've been spreading dirt my friend
words that were untrue
crowned yourself among the men
that gave so much to you
I think you should know
there is only so much time
before your sad song comes around, and...
down and down and down you go
when stumbling on the lies you told
down and down and down you go
ask me who I wouldn't know
sail on
sad one
precious, precious
you've lost your halo
senseless, aimless
you chose your own road
and you will walk on endlessly
thinking that you're clean
but I hope you know...
down and down and down you go
when stumbling on the lies you told
down and down and down you go
thay ask me who I wouldn't know
sail on
sad one
in short of words
afraid of nothing
with nothing at all around
how could you know?
how could I have let you know
when there was all but nothing in me
yes I blew it all away
into public air
it was right in front og me
it was almost there
how could they know?
I can understand how little
they could understand of what went...
down and down and down it goes
when stepping off the open road
but you've been spreading dirt my friend
words that were untrue
crowned yourself among the men
that gave so much to you
I think you should know
there is only so much time
before your sad song comes around, and...
down and down and down you go
when stumbling on the lies you told
down and down and down you go
ask me who I wouldn't know
sail on
sad one
precious, precious
you've lost your halo
senseless, aimless
you chose your own road
and you will walk on endlessly
thinking that you're clean
but I hope you know...
down and down and down you go
when stumbling on the lies you told
down and down and down you go
thay ask me who I wouldn't know
sail on
sad one
Lyrics submitted by Am0k
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Sail on sad on
Anything to add? If you think yes, you can't be my friend...
sad one of course :P
think it was written by an old friend?
= ]P
I think he did drugs