"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 got my sad eyes on, so I can't see you, pretty baby
I've had it up to here with all your if's and but's and maybe's
I've been around enough to know when I'm being played
And I take back every time I wish that you would have stayed
So I'm goin' out tonight
And I'm gonna make some shit happen
I'm gonna turn a few heads and deal in some rough trade
Hearts are gonna break, but I'm gonna be okay
I got my sad eyes on but that's not how they're gonna stay
I laid in bed for three weeks waiting for the phone to ring
But that didn't happen, girl so now it's time for me to do my thing
You say I'm the only one who really truly understands
Then how can you hold me so close and let me slide right through your hands?
So I'm going out tonight and I'm gonna break a few records
Like most hands held and most drinks sent my way
Hearts are gonna break but I'm gonna be okay
I got my sad eyes on, but that ain't how they're gonna stay
It's just life, that's all that we're living
I've had it up to here with all your if's and but's and maybe's
I've been around enough to know when I'm being played
And I take back every time I wish that you would have stayed
So I'm goin' out tonight
And I'm gonna make some shit happen
I'm gonna turn a few heads and deal in some rough trade
Hearts are gonna break, but I'm gonna be okay
I got my sad eyes on but that's not how they're gonna stay
I laid in bed for three weeks waiting for the phone to ring
But that didn't happen, girl so now it's time for me to do my thing
You say I'm the only one who really truly understands
Then how can you hold me so close and let me slide right through your hands?
So I'm going out tonight and I'm gonna break a few records
Like most hands held and most drinks sent my way
Hearts are gonna break but I'm gonna be okay
I got my sad eyes on, but that ain't how they're gonna stay
It's just life, that's all that we're living
Lyrics submitted by BleedorBreathe
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