"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.
Have you ever loved someone you knew nothing of
Except you'd seen the light inside their eyes?
Have you ever loved someone just because
Nothing felt so easy or so right?
And I think of you like the others do
Wondering if you think of me
And if you do, if you really do
Who is it that you see?
Have you ever loved
Whether right or wrong
Have you ever loved someone
Just because?
Have you ever tried to speak the truth instead of lie
When it seemed you had everything to lose?
Have you ever tried to stand your ground instead of hide
When staying only made you look a fool?
And I stayed by you though I think I knew
It wouldn't change a thing
Changes come to hearts with ease
But they come so hard to me
Have you ever tried to make it last, not knowing why
Except you had to try
Just because?
And every day that passes now
I suppose I'm getting older
Wiser with the things I've done
But I hope I don't grow colder
And now I see the ones who've lost so much
They swear they're done
With love and all the chance it brings for pain
But have you ever touched, and by itself it was enough
To make you want to reach out once again?
And I'll touch you when I need a friend
Or just a small reminder
That I haven't grown too cold to feel
You penetrate my armor
Have you ever loved
Whether right or wrong
Have you ever loved someone
Just because?
Have you ever loved someone
Just because?
Except you'd seen the light inside their eyes?
Have you ever loved someone just because
Nothing felt so easy or so right?
And I think of you like the others do
Wondering if you think of me
And if you do, if you really do
Who is it that you see?
Have you ever loved
Whether right or wrong
Have you ever loved someone
Just because?
Have you ever tried to speak the truth instead of lie
When it seemed you had everything to lose?
Have you ever tried to stand your ground instead of hide
When staying only made you look a fool?
And I stayed by you though I think I knew
It wouldn't change a thing
Changes come to hearts with ease
But they come so hard to me
Have you ever tried to make it last, not knowing why
Except you had to try
Just because?
And every day that passes now
I suppose I'm getting older
Wiser with the things I've done
But I hope I don't grow colder
And now I see the ones who've lost so much
They swear they're done
With love and all the chance it brings for pain
But have you ever touched, and by itself it was enough
To make you want to reach out once again?
And I'll touch you when I need a friend
Or just a small reminder
That I haven't grown too cold to feel
You penetrate my armor
Have you ever loved
Whether right or wrong
Have you ever loved someone
Just because?
Have you ever loved someone
Just because?
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