"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 think there's rocks inside my head
But have you heard the stupid things you've said?
You stare into the big bright light
Don't you know that this is why you're blind?
Why should I take directions
From boneheads who don't know the way?
Why would I keep connected
To those who buy but refuse to pay?
I know your screws inside are bent
You tried to crash me but you couldn't make a dent
Loyalty has not one thing to do
With being robbed by those you're loyal to
Why should I take directions
From boneheads who don't know the way?
Why would I keep connected
To those who buy but refuse to pay?
Boom set your mouth on fire
So all your words come clear
If not for all your flat tires
I'm sure you'd find your way right here
Beating you off with a stick
What a kick while you eating me up with those tears
Contemplate it on the tree of regret
And forget that you could've been here
Perserverence is a wonderful thing
But be sure that your trucks are in gear
Nothing worse than just spinning your wheels
And not moving an inch in a year
Why should I take directions
From boneheads who don't know the way?
Why would I keep connected
To those who buy but refuse to pay?
But have you heard the stupid things you've said?
You stare into the big bright light
Don't you know that this is why you're blind?
Why should I take directions
From boneheads who don't know the way?
Why would I keep connected
To those who buy but refuse to pay?
I know your screws inside are bent
You tried to crash me but you couldn't make a dent
Loyalty has not one thing to do
With being robbed by those you're loyal to
Why should I take directions
From boneheads who don't know the way?
Why would I keep connected
To those who buy but refuse to pay?
Boom set your mouth on fire
So all your words come clear
If not for all your flat tires
I'm sure you'd find your way right here
Beating you off with a stick
What a kick while you eating me up with those tears
Contemplate it on the tree of regret
And forget that you could've been here
Perserverence is a wonderful thing
But be sure that your trucks are in gear
Nothing worse than just spinning your wheels
And not moving an inch in a year
Why should I take directions
From boneheads who don't know the way?
Why would I keep connected
To those who buy but refuse to pay?
Lyrics submitted by Death In A Cubical
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Fast Car
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