"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.
hallow down the hall
have you written?
I was gone
wake up my souvenirs
add three and two I spotted you
but who could stand to follow through?
raise the flag
raise the flag
raise the flag
of your sibling's favorite daydream
stupefied again
in the autumn of our father's den
I came to with a canker
drinking from the faucet
trying to save some water and a friend
I knew he'd operate
raise the flag
raise the flag
raise the flag
of your sibling's favorite daydream
I'll shine the light
though it's not flattering
on your wishes as they are
telephone mom, she should be next to me
notify dad, it's common decency
then wash the dishes while your secrets leave home
call the news tell 'em to leave us alone
we all fit on this embarrassing throne
but anyway
listen for the sound of subtle atrophy
while he's tethered to a broken phonograph
back in school again
you didn't think that I'd abandon you my friend
here comes a silver bullet
to skim the leaves of poplar leaves
and blessed be the minor keys
I'm so in love with you
raise the flag
raise the flag
raise the flag
of your sibling's favorite daydream
have you written?
I was gone
wake up my souvenirs
add three and two I spotted you
but who could stand to follow through?
raise the flag
raise the flag
raise the flag
of your sibling's favorite daydream
stupefied again
in the autumn of our father's den
I came to with a canker
drinking from the faucet
trying to save some water and a friend
I knew he'd operate
raise the flag
raise the flag
raise the flag
of your sibling's favorite daydream
I'll shine the light
though it's not flattering
on your wishes as they are
telephone mom, she should be next to me
notify dad, it's common decency
then wash the dishes while your secrets leave home
call the news tell 'em to leave us alone
we all fit on this embarrassing throne
but anyway
listen for the sound of subtle atrophy
while he's tethered to a broken phonograph
back in school again
you didn't think that I'd abandon you my friend
here comes a silver bullet
to skim the leaves of poplar leaves
and blessed be the minor keys
I'm so in love with you
raise the flag
raise the flag
raise the flag
of your sibling's favorite daydream
Lyrics submitted by MrDelirious
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Fast Car
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The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
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I have no idea why, but that last, rushed little "I'm so in love with you" really gives me goosebumps for some reason.