"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 wouldn't be who I am, without you
I wouldn't sing the way I sing, without you
You fill my eyes up with color
And you'll always be my mother
I wouldn't be who I am
I wouldn't be the son that I am
Without a father who showed me I can
Face all the bullies at school
You taught me how to keep my cool
I wouldn't be who I am
I wouldn't be the brother I am
Without a sister who understands
My ambitions and dreams
We always were on the same team
I wouldn't be who I am
Without the people
We don't see no more
And all the imperfections on my skin
The family tree, with its branches around me
Oh, I just wouldn't be who I am
I wouldn't be who I am
I wouldn't be who I am
I wouldn't be who I am
I wouldn't be the human I am
Without the friends that let me fly and help me land
Our foundations go deep
I'll always have a place to sleep
I wouldn't be who I am
I wouldn't sing the way I sing, without you
You fill my eyes up with color
And you'll always be my mother
I wouldn't be who I am
I wouldn't be the son that I am
Without a father who showed me I can
Face all the bullies at school
You taught me how to keep my cool
I wouldn't be who I am
I wouldn't be the brother I am
Without a sister who understands
My ambitions and dreams
We always were on the same team
I wouldn't be who I am
Without the people
We don't see no more
And all the imperfections on my skin
The family tree, with its branches around me
Oh, I just wouldn't be who I am
I wouldn't be who I am
I wouldn't be who I am
I wouldn't be who I am
I wouldn't be the human I am
Without the friends that let me fly and help me land
Our foundations go deep
I'll always have a place to sleep
I wouldn't be who I am
Lyrics submitted by Abbie96
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