"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.
I've watched you grow into beautiful
You carry on, as I sometimes do
They say it's my face,
but I see your mothers magic in everything that's you
And I love the way you always wake me from those stagnant, re-run dreams
I slowly break down following you
You get around so well without me
If I could break ground
and build a world to keep you in this state
So innocent and pure, I'd build it that way
I hope you know when it's critical
it's okay, rely on only me
If the wheels come off, and you're stranded on your way, remember
there's nothing I won't do
And I miss the way you always wake me from those stagnant, re-run dreams
I slowly break down following you
You get around so well without me
If I could beak ground
and build a world to keep you in this state
So innocent and pure, I'd build it that way
I'll keep you safe inside
(build it that way)
Save you from the gradual decline
(build it that way)
Until the day you left with,
trust is taken from your heart and mine
Keep it alive in your smile
I slowly break down following you
You get around so well without me
If I could break ground
and build a world to keep you in this state
So innocent and pure
I'd build it that way
Build it that way
Build it that way
You carry on, as I sometimes do
They say it's my face,
but I see your mothers magic in everything that's you
And I love the way you always wake me from those stagnant, re-run dreams
I slowly break down following you
You get around so well without me
If I could break ground
and build a world to keep you in this state
So innocent and pure, I'd build it that way
I hope you know when it's critical
it's okay, rely on only me
If the wheels come off, and you're stranded on your way, remember
there's nothing I won't do
And I miss the way you always wake me from those stagnant, re-run dreams
I slowly break down following you
You get around so well without me
If I could beak ground
and build a world to keep you in this state
So innocent and pure, I'd build it that way
I'll keep you safe inside
(build it that way)
Save you from the gradual decline
(build it that way)
Until the day you left with,
trust is taken from your heart and mine
Keep it alive in your smile
I slowly break down following you
You get around so well without me
If I could break ground
and build a world to keep you in this state
So innocent and pure
I'd build it that way
Build it that way
Build it that way
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I beg to differ in some parts, but I could be wrong. I think it's this way:
... And I love the way you always wake me from those FADED, re-run dreams ... If I could break ground and build a WALL to keep you in AND STAY So innocent and pure, I'd build it that way ... Save you from THAT gradual decline (build it that way) Until the day you left WHEN trust is taken from your heart and mine Keep it alive in your smile ...