"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 would have kept those words on your tongue
If you had known the hurt they had done
While your fists stayed right
Right by your side
Your words, they bruise me deep inside
I'd rather have sticks and stones
And broken bones
Then the words you say to me
Cause I know bruises heal
And cuts will seal
But your words beat the life out of me
Sometimes your words are thick as lead
You swing them strong upside my head
What hasn't killed has made me strong
So I'll take my scars and move along
I'd rather have sticks and stones
And broken bones
Then the words you say to me
Cause I know bruises heal
And cuts will seal
But your words beat the life out of me
Goodbye is the best way that I know
To forgive and still be letting go
I'd rather have sticks and stones
And broken bones
Then the words you say to me
Cause I know bruises heal
And cuts will seal
But your words beat the life out of me
If you had known the hurt they had done
While your fists stayed right
Right by your side
Your words, they bruise me deep inside
I'd rather have sticks and stones
And broken bones
Then the words you say to me
Cause I know bruises heal
And cuts will seal
But your words beat the life out of me
Sometimes your words are thick as lead
You swing them strong upside my head
What hasn't killed has made me strong
So I'll take my scars and move along
I'd rather have sticks and stones
And broken bones
Then the words you say to me
Cause I know bruises heal
And cuts will seal
But your words beat the life out of me
Goodbye is the best way that I know
To forgive and still be letting go
I'd rather have sticks and stones
And broken bones
Then the words you say to me
Cause I know bruises heal
And cuts will seal
But your words beat the life out of me
Lyrics submitted by New Year's Project
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this song. is great. i always thought peewee herman was a liar with the line "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" sticks and stones are way less painful. because healing physically is a lot easier than emotionally. i love that he's so right .