"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.
No map looking for the one I love
Cause the one I love is here
No map looking for the one who stands
Cause he's arming me from fear
We got tuned in by the other side
Lives spent digging holes for the ones that hide
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
More cuts taken for the one in silence
Now he sits between my ears
His moves in madness how I love the rush
Could you wipe away these tears
We got taken by
A rush of blood
My trains leaving now
How I wish I could
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
Cause the one I love is here
No map looking for the one who stands
Cause he's arming me from fear
We got tuned in by the other side
Lives spent digging holes for the ones that hide
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
More cuts taken for the one in silence
Now he sits between my ears
His moves in madness how I love the rush
Could you wipe away these tears
We got taken by
A rush of blood
My trains leaving now
How I wish I could
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
I'm a stunt man
See the white of my eyes
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Fast Car
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I agree with dleggett, I've been listening to the song trying to get the lyrics. but about the my/your bit, it definately sounds like 'your' in the song at least, in some parts it sounds like he's saying "I see the whites of your eyes and I'm a stuntman" so that makes me think that's what it is.. also someplace I read "cause he's on his knees in fear' instead of he's arming me for fear.. which I think sounds better but I have no idea which is right hahah. very awesome song anyway, I love it. really intense & dancy..