"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.
Many a year I have worked in these parts
Running this inn that ain't marked on no charts
Though its location to many is known
If you're to find it you have to be shown
Through methods long hidden we carefully craft
A beverage to rival the Huntmaster's draught
The mere smell of which, the Gods would entice
And them that know call it that Famous Ol' Spiced
Here sits a man, a smuggler by trade
A-boastin' of all of the money he's made
Runnin' his liquor to here and to there
Travellin' all over and peddlin' his wares
He says he's had beers from Prussia and wines
Taken from all of the very best vines
But none of these tipples could ever suffice
So I'll bring him a jug of that Famous Ol' Spiced
Oh, pour me a slug of it
Throw me a mug of it
Bring me a jug of that Famous Ol' Spiced
In walks a sailor all battered and blue
Fallen afoul of his captain and crew
They'd pulled in to port, their cargo was stacked
But three hours later he's caught in the act
Acquainting himself with the skipper's own wife
This fool was lucky to leave with his life
He's not here for doctors or friendly advice
He just wants a jug of that Famous Ol' Spiced
Oh, pour me a slug of it
Throw me a mug of it
Bring me a jug of that Famous Ol' Spiced
For men of the sea go as fast as they come
And leave little more than the tales they have spun
So sing me your sermon and pay me my price
And I'll give you a jug of that Famous Ol' Spiced
Oh, pour me a slug of it
Throw me a mug of it
Bring me a jug of that Famous Ol' Spiced
Running this inn that ain't marked on no charts
Though its location to many is known
If you're to find it you have to be shown
Through methods long hidden we carefully craft
A beverage to rival the Huntmaster's draught
The mere smell of which, the Gods would entice
And them that know call it that Famous Ol' Spiced
Here sits a man, a smuggler by trade
A-boastin' of all of the money he's made
Runnin' his liquor to here and to there
Travellin' all over and peddlin' his wares
He says he's had beers from Prussia and wines
Taken from all of the very best vines
But none of these tipples could ever suffice
So I'll bring him a jug of that Famous Ol' Spiced
Oh, pour me a slug of it
Throw me a mug of it
Bring me a jug of that Famous Ol' Spiced
In walks a sailor all battered and blue
Fallen afoul of his captain and crew
They'd pulled in to port, their cargo was stacked
But three hours later he's caught in the act
Acquainting himself with the skipper's own wife
This fool was lucky to leave with his life
He's not here for doctors or friendly advice
He just wants a jug of that Famous Ol' Spiced
Oh, pour me a slug of it
Throw me a mug of it
Bring me a jug of that Famous Ol' Spiced
For men of the sea go as fast as they come
And leave little more than the tales they have spun
So sing me your sermon and pay me my price
And I'll give you a jug of that Famous Ol' Spiced
Oh, pour me a slug of it
Throw me a mug of it
Bring me a jug of that Famous Ol' Spiced
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The kind of song that makes you want to go and get hammered! :D
great drink! Especially great while listening to Alestorm! :)