"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.
Won't make the bed up straight
I always stay out late
I never take you out
Ask what you're all about
I always smell like smoke
Everything's just a joke
I never look at you
When you come hear me sing
These are not all of the
Many simple things
You can find wrong with me
Once would you tell me please
What do I do What do I do right
I never talk to you
Be who you want me to
My music's way too loud
My friends are all so proud
Say I'm just wasted hope
I could not thread the rope
More than my pocket's broke
And you don't see a ring
These are not all of the
Infinitesimal things
You can find wrong with me
Once would you tell me please
What do I do What do I do right
Never wanted to play in this game
Yes, you're right
But losing the game doesn't mean
That we're losing the fight
What do I do what do I do, right
Won't make the bed up straight
I always stay out, great
But what do I do what do I do that is right
I always stay out late
I never take you out
Ask what you're all about
I always smell like smoke
Everything's just a joke
I never look at you
When you come hear me sing
These are not all of the
Many simple things
You can find wrong with me
Once would you tell me please
What do I do What do I do right
I never talk to you
Be who you want me to
My music's way too loud
My friends are all so proud
Say I'm just wasted hope
I could not thread the rope
More than my pocket's broke
And you don't see a ring
These are not all of the
Infinitesimal things
You can find wrong with me
Once would you tell me please
What do I do What do I do right
Never wanted to play in this game
Yes, you're right
But losing the game doesn't mean
That we're losing the fight
What do I do what do I do, right
Won't make the bed up straight
I always stay out, great
But what do I do what do I do that is right
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Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
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Little Feat
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The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
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Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.