"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.
Lord, it's the same old tune, fiddle and guitar
Where do we take it from here?
Rhinestone suits and new shiny cars
It's been the same way for years
We need a change
Somebody told me, when I came to Nashville
"Son, you finally got it made"
Old Hank made it here, we're all sure that you will
But I don't think Hank done it this way, no
I don't think Hank done it this way
Okay
Ten years on the road, makin' one night stands
Speedin' my young life away
Tell me one more time, just so's I'll understand
Are your sure Hank done it this way?
Did ol' Hank really do it this way?
Lord, I've seen the world, with a five piece band
Looking at the back side of me
Singing my songs, and one of his now and then
But I don't think Hank done 'em this way, no
I don't think Hank done 'em this way
Take it home
Where do we take it from here?
Rhinestone suits and new shiny cars
It's been the same way for years
We need a change
Somebody told me, when I came to Nashville
"Son, you finally got it made"
Old Hank made it here, we're all sure that you will
But I don't think Hank done it this way, no
I don't think Hank done it this way
Okay
Ten years on the road, makin' one night stands
Speedin' my young life away
Tell me one more time, just so's I'll understand
Are your sure Hank done it this way?
Did ol' Hank really do it this way?
Lord, I've seen the world, with a five piece band
Looking at the back side of me
Singing my songs, and one of his now and then
But I don't think Hank done 'em this way, no
I don't think Hank done 'em this way
Take it home
Lyrics submitted by HamiltonInches
Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way Lyrics as written by Waylon Jennings
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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All comments by others about the meaning of this song are wrong. Allow me to clarify. The song was written by Waylon. As a child and teenager, Waylon idolized Hank. He sat by his radio at night, so excited to hear Hank's latest song. Later he saw Hank on television. He thought, "Wow! Look at Hank singing with his guitar! How exciting! What a life! I'm going to do that someday!"
Then Waylon actually did start doing it. But it wasn't exciting and easy after a while. Making records was often boring and difficult. Touring was very rigorous. It wasn't fun. It was boring. Record companies preached about what they wanted. Fans want to hear hits. Night after night it is the same shit. So, Waylon is saying "This isn't fun. It is hard. It looked fun for Hank. I thought it would be fun for me. It isn't. Did Hank really do it this way? He couldn't have done it this way. Because I thought he was living the greatest life possible, seeing him on stage with his guitar."
Waylon is borded and tired of his music and of touring, but as a kid seeing Hank do it, he never thought it would be boring and difficult. So he is asking, are you sure it was boring and difficult for Hank.
@songman3367 Are you sure Hank done it this way? Did old Hank really do it this way?<br /> You are right. It's about how Waylon feels like there is something missing in his life/career, but he seems to be unable to find out what's that. So instead of saying "I'm feeling hopeless" and complaining, he wonders if his old idols/legends, like Hank felt they same. And guess what? Yes, Hank done it this way!