"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.
every home should be a den
but if it's not a home,
what happens then?
there should not be
a dress-code at the table
or a must to accomplish things
you hate
when did it come to
all of these chords
you never wanted to play?
where we're you heading
when all of a sudden
you lost your way?
you're not complaining, are you?
yes, I try to
why don't you try to achieve something?
I do, I do
this house looks exactly as before
you just don't fell at ease here anymore
what are they serving?
have they've been eating
or will they eat you alive?
there in the corner
almost transparent
barely amplified
you're not complaining, are you?
yes, I try to
I love you endlessly brother John
but if it's not a home,
what happens then?
there should not be
a dress-code at the table
or a must to accomplish things
you hate
when did it come to
all of these chords
you never wanted to play?
where we're you heading
when all of a sudden
you lost your way?
you're not complaining, are you?
yes, I try to
why don't you try to achieve something?
I do, I do
this house looks exactly as before
you just don't fell at ease here anymore
what are they serving?
have they've been eating
or will they eat you alive?
there in the corner
almost transparent
barely amplified
you're not complaining, are you?
yes, I try to
I love you endlessly brother John
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