"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 like to feel so high and
you feel good feeling low
I like my colours vivid
and you paint your colors gone
I like to see the world
and you like your week in tone
but I've been staying behind
while you refused to go
(Chorus)
'Cause you're such a burden
but you're the weight off of my shoulders
'Cause even though I'm hurting
it still feels like it's time I'm growing
When I thought that we'd grow up and grow
together the same time
guess I passed you by at that old "Stop" sign
At that old "Stop" sign
You like to sleep all day and I like my minutes owed
I like trips to the movies you watch TV all night long
I like to go out dancing and you go out just to hang
And I've been right beside you losing me
and doing the same
(Chorus)
'Cause you're such a burden
but you're the weight above my shoulders
'Cause even though I'm hurting
it still feels like it's time I'm growing
When I thought that we'd grow up and grow
together the same time
guess I passed you by at that old "Stop" sign
At that old "Stop" sign
I looked around and baby you were gone
Where did I lost you honey
I even slowed down thought you'd follow
But you took your own roads honey
'Cause I've been traveling traveling traveling
only to find you
I'm making this trip alone
And I've been staying behind
while you refused to go
(Chorus)
'Cause you're such a burden
but you're the weight above my shoulders
'Cause even though I'm hurting
it still feels like it's time I'm growing
When I thought that we'd grow up and grow
together the same time
guess I passed you by at that old "Stop" sign
At that old "Stop" sign
you feel good feeling low
I like my colours vivid
and you paint your colors gone
I like to see the world
and you like your week in tone
but I've been staying behind
while you refused to go
(Chorus)
'Cause you're such a burden
but you're the weight off of my shoulders
'Cause even though I'm hurting
it still feels like it's time I'm growing
When I thought that we'd grow up and grow
together the same time
guess I passed you by at that old "Stop" sign
At that old "Stop" sign
You like to sleep all day and I like my minutes owed
I like trips to the movies you watch TV all night long
I like to go out dancing and you go out just to hang
And I've been right beside you losing me
and doing the same
(Chorus)
'Cause you're such a burden
but you're the weight above my shoulders
'Cause even though I'm hurting
it still feels like it's time I'm growing
When I thought that we'd grow up and grow
together the same time
guess I passed you by at that old "Stop" sign
At that old "Stop" sign
I looked around and baby you were gone
Where did I lost you honey
I even slowed down thought you'd follow
But you took your own roads honey
'Cause I've been traveling traveling traveling
only to find you
I'm making this trip alone
And I've been staying behind
while you refused to go
(Chorus)
'Cause you're such a burden
but you're the weight above my shoulders
'Cause even though I'm hurting
it still feels like it's time I'm growing
When I thought that we'd grow up and grow
together the same time
guess I passed you by at that old "Stop" sign
At that old "Stop" sign
Lyrics submitted by Rafael Moliv
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Really good song, too bad it didnt make the album. Its about the differences and faults in a relationship, how one person is growing and changing in life and the other person is content to stay the same.