"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 wish i was still drinking whiskey, wine and beer
The sound of glasses clinking, so sweet to my ear
I wouldn't have to listen to the time that's running out
I'd use it much more wisely, I'd drink and fall about
I wish I was still drinking, then I'd have no fear
Tell you how to fix the world, then have another beer
I wouldn't have to feel the pain that's in a mother's eyes
I'd drink till I believe the sound of my own drunken lies
I wish I was still drinking when nothing is too clear
Like the TV evangelist fueling people's fear
Taking all their hard earned cash in the name of the holy one
Their days are surely numbered, their day will surely come
I wish I was still drinking, I was a lot more fun
Life of the endless party, friends with anyone
I wouldn't have to answer for the promises I broke
Like the president today, or when he drank and snorted coke
I wish I was still drinking, than I wouldn't have to hear
The sound of rapid gunfire exploding in my ear
I'd drink through the nightmare of friends cryin' out for help
I would drink through everything I've seen or heard or felt
I wish I was still drinking, no I really, really do
I'd gather all my fair weather friends like him and her and you
I'd count all the missing teeth, I can no longer chew
I'd even drive my ol' white car, cause she likes drinking too
Yeah, I wish i was still drinking whiskey, wine and beer
The sound of glasses clinking, so sweet to my ear
I wouldn't have to listen to the time thats running out
I'd use it much more wisely, I'd drink and fall about
The sound of glasses clinking, so sweet to my ear
I wouldn't have to listen to the time that's running out
I'd use it much more wisely, I'd drink and fall about
I wish I was still drinking, then I'd have no fear
Tell you how to fix the world, then have another beer
I wouldn't have to feel the pain that's in a mother's eyes
I'd drink till I believe the sound of my own drunken lies
I wish I was still drinking when nothing is too clear
Like the TV evangelist fueling people's fear
Taking all their hard earned cash in the name of the holy one
Their days are surely numbered, their day will surely come
I wish I was still drinking, I was a lot more fun
Life of the endless party, friends with anyone
I wouldn't have to answer for the promises I broke
Like the president today, or when he drank and snorted coke
I wish I was still drinking, than I wouldn't have to hear
The sound of rapid gunfire exploding in my ear
I'd drink through the nightmare of friends cryin' out for help
I would drink through everything I've seen or heard or felt
I wish I was still drinking, no I really, really do
I'd gather all my fair weather friends like him and her and you
I'd count all the missing teeth, I can no longer chew
I'd even drive my ol' white car, cause she likes drinking too
Yeah, I wish i was still drinking whiskey, wine and beer
The sound of glasses clinking, so sweet to my ear
I wouldn't have to listen to the time thats running out
I'd use it much more wisely, I'd drink and fall about
Lyrics submitted by Wezzul
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I Wish I Was Still Drinking is TOTALLY about Colin, you can find plenty of lyrics in other songs to back this up, Beautiful Day, Wayfaring sons to name just two, the words about the president and evangelists are just two truthful asides, I would like to read an interview on how long ago he quit and any temptations etc