"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.
Were goin' out on the boat today
Were jammin' with Johnny and Courtney
Well there two young lovers and that’s all right
I said the only problem John’s got a wife
Johnny’s a DJ on Z.O.U.
Every mornin' talkin' to me and you.
He’s been seasick thinkin' bout his wife and kids
because being with Courtney is where it is.
Everybody say
Were goin' out on the boat today
Were jammin' with Johnny and Courtney
Someday soon he’s gonna leave his wife
and together they’ll start a brand new life.
Well they’re sayin' together they’ll live as one.
Well they’re life together has just begun.
Everybody say
Were goin' out on the boat today
Were jammin' with Johnny and Courtney
Get on the boat were gonna sail to the island
it’s a summertime groove you know we’ll be stylin'.
On the beach take a peek.
Lucy Vincent’s tough to beat
except for when your rockin'
on the waves at Squibnocket.
Walkin' up Circuit Ave. lookin' for the A.C.
there’s a jam goin' down Thursdays it’s the place to be.
Shake it up shake it down
move your body all around.
Lose your mind free your soul
check it out we gotta go...
Were goin' out on the boat today
Were jammin' with Johnny and Courtney
Were jammin' with Johnny and Courtney
Well there two young lovers and that’s all right
I said the only problem John’s got a wife
Johnny’s a DJ on Z.O.U.
Every mornin' talkin' to me and you.
He’s been seasick thinkin' bout his wife and kids
because being with Courtney is where it is.
Everybody say
Were goin' out on the boat today
Were jammin' with Johnny and Courtney
Someday soon he’s gonna leave his wife
and together they’ll start a brand new life.
Well they’re sayin' together they’ll live as one.
Well they’re life together has just begun.
Everybody say
Were goin' out on the boat today
Were jammin' with Johnny and Courtney
Get on the boat were gonna sail to the island
it’s a summertime groove you know we’ll be stylin'.
On the beach take a peek.
Lucy Vincent’s tough to beat
except for when your rockin'
on the waves at Squibnocket.
Walkin' up Circuit Ave. lookin' for the A.C.
there’s a jam goin' down Thursdays it’s the place to be.
Shake it up shake it down
move your body all around.
Lose your mind free your soul
check it out we gotta go...
Were goin' out on the boat today
Were jammin' with Johnny and Courtney
Lyrics submitted by bmccullo
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This is the " Courtney" referred in these Lyrics...so obviously this song has special memories. Brian was on our lawn as we were all about to go out boating and had his guitar. Johnny (J.R. whom did the morning in Boston) and I were in love, and yes he was married. Johnny holds a special place in my heart. Thanks Brian