"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.
Call yourself a romantic
Let me explain
Been across the whole Atlantic
And back again
I had it with your antics
Your childish games
Baby
I call your number twice
But it rang and rang
Against my best friend's advice
I should be ashamed
(You) Did it to me once
You'll do it again
So she says
Love long distance
Is testing me trying my patience
I need more of your assistance now
Love long distance
Is testing me trying my patience
I need more of your assistance now
Heard it through the bassline
Not much longer would you be my baby
Work yourself into a panic
Bent outta shape
And then take me for granted
Like nothing's changed
All my friends are asking
Why you're that way
But I can't explain
Why I call your number twice
And / but it rang and rang
Against my best friend's advice
I should be ashamed
You did it to me once
You'll do it again
She promises
Love long distance
Is testing me trying my patience
I need more of your assistance now
You're making me crazy
The way that you've been acting lately
I need more of your assistance now
Breaking up or breaking down
When I need you you can't be found
I want someone who's around for me
Does it have to be so complicated?
Either way I'm devastated
I could use a little comforting
Love long distance
Is testing me trying my patience
I need more of your assistance now
Love long distance
Is testing me trying my patience
I need more of your assistance now
Love love love love
I need some assistance now
Love
(And) I will thank you for your cooperation
(And) I will thank you for your cooperation
(And) I will thank you for your cooperation
Stop playing with me
Let me explain
Been across the whole Atlantic
And back again
I had it with your antics
Your childish games
Baby
I call your number twice
But it rang and rang
Against my best friend's advice
I should be ashamed
(You) Did it to me once
You'll do it again
So she says
Love long distance
Is testing me trying my patience
I need more of your assistance now
Love long distance
Is testing me trying my patience
I need more of your assistance now
Heard it through the bassline
Not much longer would you be my baby
Work yourself into a panic
Bent outta shape
And then take me for granted
Like nothing's changed
All my friends are asking
Why you're that way
But I can't explain
Why I call your number twice
And / but it rang and rang
Against my best friend's advice
I should be ashamed
You did it to me once
You'll do it again
She promises
Love long distance
Is testing me trying my patience
I need more of your assistance now
You're making me crazy
The way that you've been acting lately
I need more of your assistance now
Breaking up or breaking down
When I need you you can't be found
I want someone who's around for me
Does it have to be so complicated?
Either way I'm devastated
I could use a little comforting
Love long distance
Is testing me trying my patience
I need more of your assistance now
Love long distance
Is testing me trying my patience
I need more of your assistance now
Love love love love
I need some assistance now
Love
(And) I will thank you for your cooperation
(And) I will thank you for your cooperation
(And) I will thank you for your cooperation
Stop playing with me
Lyrics submitted by chemical_princess, edited by 60_miles_an_hour
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Love the lyrics. The Fake Blood Remix is great.
Did anyone else notice the reference to "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"?
"I heard it through the grapevine/bassline how much longer could you be my baby .."
I did notice that, it's my favorite part of the song!
I think the the song is self explanatory due to the title.
However, to me, I think it's about the person who is sung about, they aren't emotionally involved. They show no interest in the relationship, their emotions seem to be somewhere else, hence the "long distance" part.
My favorite line: "Love long distance is testing me, trying my patience" Because, love sure does know how to make you react in ways you never thought you would.