"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.
[Intro]
I lay down in the corner of the churchyard
I count the hours that God's not home
Can we rise and create something special?
Hope I'm not alone
You're not alone
[Verse 1]
I can place all the pictures on your nightstand
Where am I? Reflected on the glass
There's better times I know I was a part of
Squeeze me in some time
[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause I feel like I'm standing alone
I know that I've given all I can
I can't do this all on my own
Do you really think I can?
[Chorus]
When I get home
We'll see what we've lost
When I'm too eager
I'm counting the cost
[Verse 2]
Yeah, you think you know me but you don't know
Anything about who I really am
I paint my tears the colour of the hostile
Can we rally 'round?
[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause I feel like I'm standing alone
I know that I've given all I can
I can't do this all on my own
Do you really think I can?
[Chorus]
When I get home
We'll see what we've lost
When I'm too eager
I'm counting the cost
[Post-Chorus]
I'd never leave
You all alone
We'll find a way out
We'll build a new home
Home
[Chorus]
When I get home
We'll see what we've lost
When I'm too eager
I'm counting the cost
[Post-Chorus]
I'd never leave
You all alone
We'll find a way out
We'll build a new home
[Outro]
Here come the naturals!
I lay down in the corner of the churchyard
I count the hours that God's not home
Can we rise and create something special?
Hope I'm not alone
You're not alone
[Verse 1]
I can place all the pictures on your nightstand
Where am I? Reflected on the glass
There's better times I know I was a part of
Squeeze me in some time
[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause I feel like I'm standing alone
I know that I've given all I can
I can't do this all on my own
Do you really think I can?
[Chorus]
When I get home
We'll see what we've lost
When I'm too eager
I'm counting the cost
[Verse 2]
Yeah, you think you know me but you don't know
Anything about who I really am
I paint my tears the colour of the hostile
Can we rally 'round?
[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause I feel like I'm standing alone
I know that I've given all I can
I can't do this all on my own
Do you really think I can?
[Chorus]
When I get home
We'll see what we've lost
When I'm too eager
I'm counting the cost
[Post-Chorus]
I'd never leave
You all alone
We'll find a way out
We'll build a new home
Home
[Chorus]
When I get home
We'll see what we've lost
When I'm too eager
I'm counting the cost
[Post-Chorus]
I'd never leave
You all alone
We'll find a way out
We'll build a new home
[Outro]
Here come the naturals!
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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Fast Car
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