"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.
I’m on the edge, staring into my abyss
No, don’t let go, don’t succumb to its grips
Am I in too deep? I’ve lost my way, colours fade
A hand reaching out in dumb silence afraid
(But you know that)
A friend in need is a friend indeed
Just let go of blind dignity
You can leave that all behind
In the wake of your will, it’s for you to decide
I will always be grateful
To the angels that cushion my fall
(Catch me when I fall)
Leading me back to the flame
In the darkness that ignited it all
Why do I grieve for a life that wasn’t real?
The pain this failure brings is just part of that deal
My unfinished plan never really began
And so here I stand in the stillness a broken man
(And you know that)
A friend indeed will then concede
To relinquish barren hopes and dreams
Then head for the light, don’t be afraid
A new day will dawn and your peace will be made
I will always be grateful
To the angels that cushion my fall
(Catch me when I fall)
Leading me back to the flame
In the darkness that ignited it all
But be wary of this guise, contented is not wise
The shadows may return to take you
Remember all the pain that stripped you of your name
And left you worthless in the darkness
But be wary of this guise, contented is not wise
The shadows may return to take you
Remember all the pain that stripped you of your name
It’s time to reveal myself
No, don’t let go, don’t succumb to its grips
Am I in too deep? I’ve lost my way, colours fade
A hand reaching out in dumb silence afraid
(But you know that)
A friend in need is a friend indeed
Just let go of blind dignity
You can leave that all behind
In the wake of your will, it’s for you to decide
I will always be grateful
To the angels that cushion my fall
(Catch me when I fall)
Leading me back to the flame
In the darkness that ignited it all
Why do I grieve for a life that wasn’t real?
The pain this failure brings is just part of that deal
My unfinished plan never really began
And so here I stand in the stillness a broken man
(And you know that)
A friend indeed will then concede
To relinquish barren hopes and dreams
Then head for the light, don’t be afraid
A new day will dawn and your peace will be made
I will always be grateful
To the angels that cushion my fall
(Catch me when I fall)
Leading me back to the flame
In the darkness that ignited it all
But be wary of this guise, contented is not wise
The shadows may return to take you
Remember all the pain that stripped you of your name
And left you worthless in the darkness
But be wary of this guise, contented is not wise
The shadows may return to take you
Remember all the pain that stripped you of your name
It’s time to reveal myself
Lyrics submitted by Octavarium64
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