"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.
Once you cut her loose.
I knew that she would leave.
For a while I couldn't breathe.
I couldn't even breathe.
Sure she's still with you
But first she was with me.
What tangled webs we weave.
She said some things I don't believe.
She's sleeping at a storage space by the airport.
The only thing she talks about is TV.
The only thing that tethers us together
Is the thing that most matters at the end of the night.
Ashes to ashes and dust in the spotlight.
Flying all around like a fist in a fight.
Tired of always feeling frustrated.
This town was so much fun.
When there weren't so much police.
We didn't have to watch our speed.
First she's down in Texas.
Then she went back to Tennessee.
What tangled webs we weave.
For a while I couldn't breathe.
I couldn't even breathe.
She's sleeping at a storage space by the airport.
The only thing she talks about is TV.
The only thing that tethers us together
Are these dreams.
Last night her teeth were in my dreams.
In my dreams.
It's the thing that most matters at the end of the night.
Ashes to ashes and dust in the spotlight.
Floating all around like a nurse in the night.
Tired of always feeling frustrated.
She's been senseless.
She's been sad.
It got bad around March or April then I thought it got better.
She's been wasted.
She's been honest.
She's got a necklace. It looks pretty expensive.
I'd like to know where she got it.
Sure she's still with you.
But first she was with me.
I've been trying to get in touch with her.
Last night her teeth were in my dreams.
She's sleeping at a storage space by the airport.
The only thing she talks about is TV.
The only thing that tethers us together
Are these dreams.
Last night her teeth were in my dreams.
I knew that she would leave.
For a while I couldn't breathe.
I couldn't even breathe.
Sure she's still with you
But first she was with me.
What tangled webs we weave.
She said some things I don't believe.
She's sleeping at a storage space by the airport.
The only thing she talks about is TV.
The only thing that tethers us together
Is the thing that most matters at the end of the night.
Ashes to ashes and dust in the spotlight.
Flying all around like a fist in a fight.
Tired of always feeling frustrated.
This town was so much fun.
When there weren't so much police.
We didn't have to watch our speed.
First she's down in Texas.
Then she went back to Tennessee.
What tangled webs we weave.
For a while I couldn't breathe.
I couldn't even breathe.
She's sleeping at a storage space by the airport.
The only thing she talks about is TV.
The only thing that tethers us together
Are these dreams.
Last night her teeth were in my dreams.
In my dreams.
It's the thing that most matters at the end of the night.
Ashes to ashes and dust in the spotlight.
Floating all around like a nurse in the night.
Tired of always feeling frustrated.
She's been senseless.
She's been sad.
It got bad around March or April then I thought it got better.
She's been wasted.
She's been honest.
She's got a necklace. It looks pretty expensive.
I'd like to know where she got it.
Sure she's still with you.
But first she was with me.
I've been trying to get in touch with her.
Last night her teeth were in my dreams.
She's sleeping at a storage space by the airport.
The only thing she talks about is TV.
The only thing that tethers us together
Are these dreams.
Last night her teeth were in my dreams.
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