"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.
You made the call
I step outside, cross that line
And I lose control
Because I've been waiting
It's beautiful to let go don't you know
Your everything I try to be
The rise and fall to respond to the call
I got butterflies
(Chorus)
Your all I have
So break me down
Your all I am
And nothing else matters
This is a longshot
Its all I have
I'm ready to step it up
All I need is your hand
This is a long shot
Its who I am
I'm ready to take off
All I need is a plan
I'm calling out
Take me, make me
I'm finding out
You are my reason
Its beautiful to let go don't you know
Your everything I try to be
The rise and Fall to respond to the call
I sing a new song
Chorus
This is a longshot
This is the Longest shot
I'm barely moving you keep
Me breathing
I step outside, cross that line
And I lose control
Because I've been waiting
It's beautiful to let go don't you know
Your everything I try to be
The rise and fall to respond to the call
I got butterflies
(Chorus)
Your all I have
So break me down
Your all I am
And nothing else matters
This is a longshot
Its all I have
I'm ready to step it up
All I need is your hand
This is a long shot
Its who I am
I'm ready to take off
All I need is a plan
I'm calling out
Take me, make me
I'm finding out
You are my reason
Its beautiful to let go don't you know
Your everything I try to be
The rise and Fall to respond to the call
I sing a new song
Chorus
This is a longshot
This is the Longest shot
I'm barely moving you keep
Me breathing
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