"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.
Rick rack, rickety rack
See the train go along the track
When I grow up I want to be an engine driver
But if I can't be that I'll be a deep sea diver.
My father says that I must always work on the land
And I never disagreed when I'd see him lift his hand
Mother thinks that I should be a carpenter to trade
That I could fill my house with the things that I had made.
Rick rack, rickety rack
See the train go along the track
When I grow up I want to be an engine driver
But if I can't be that I'll be a deep sea diver.
I look at the skies, see the birds that can fly, and I feel like cryin'
Like a bird on the tree I just want to free so I'll keep on tryin'.
Rick rack, rickety rack
See the train go along the track
When I grow up I want to be an engine driver
But if I can't be that I'll be a deep sea diver.
My brother says that I must pay attention at the school
Because I've never won a prize, he thinks that I'm a fool
Teacher always asks me why I look so far away
It's just that I find nothing in the words he has to say.
Rick rack, rickety rack
I'm leaving home and I'm never coming back
I'm on my way to be an engine driver
But if I can't be that I'll be a deep sea diver.
See the train go along the track
When I grow up I want to be an engine driver
But if I can't be that I'll be a deep sea diver.
My father says that I must always work on the land
And I never disagreed when I'd see him lift his hand
Mother thinks that I should be a carpenter to trade
That I could fill my house with the things that I had made.
Rick rack, rickety rack
See the train go along the track
When I grow up I want to be an engine driver
But if I can't be that I'll be a deep sea diver.
I look at the skies, see the birds that can fly, and I feel like cryin'
Like a bird on the tree I just want to free so I'll keep on tryin'.
Rick rack, rickety rack
See the train go along the track
When I grow up I want to be an engine driver
But if I can't be that I'll be a deep sea diver.
My brother says that I must pay attention at the school
Because I've never won a prize, he thinks that I'm a fool
Teacher always asks me why I look so far away
It's just that I find nothing in the words he has to say.
Rick rack, rickety rack
I'm leaving home and I'm never coming back
I'm on my way to be an engine driver
But if I can't be that I'll be a deep sea diver.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Rick Rack Lyrics as written by Gerry Rafferty
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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