"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.
Gitchy goomy, gitchy gaddy, sit you laddie down on your daddy's knee,
And ain't it a nice place to be?
Goggin noggin, papa's rockin' like a mockin' bird in a windy tree,
And that ain't no place for me.
Been there one time, been there two times,
Been there three times more than I care to be,
But we're gonna make it through, Gitchy Goomy.
Life is good, life is fine, life is warm,
Life is kind, can you see it?
Love is great, love is right,
Keeps you warm late at night when you need it.
Baby boy, daddy's joy, life's a toy,
But you don't want to break it.
Like a sweet symphony, all you need is the key, you can play it.
Gitchy goomy, gitchy gaddy, sit you laddie down while I have my say,
Now don't be runnin' away.
Goggin noggin, papa's talkin'
Don't go walkin' off like you mean to play,
Well, you can have it your way.
Been there one time, been there two times,
Been there three times more than I care to say,
But you're gonna be O.K. Gitchy Goomy.
Life is good, life is fine, life is warm,
Life is kind, can you see it?
Love is great, love is right,
Keeps you warm late at night when you need it.
Baby boy, daddy's joy, life's a toy,
But you don't want to break it.
Like a sweet symphony, all you need is the key, you can play it.
Been there one time, been there two times,
Been there three times more than I care to be,
Seen it one time, seen it two times,
Seen it three times, Lord 'n' it's plain to see.
Ah, you gonna make it through Gitchy Goomy.
You 'n' me gonna make it through Gitchy Goomy.
Ah, you gonna make it through Gitchy Goomy.
And ain't it a nice place to be?
Goggin noggin, papa's rockin' like a mockin' bird in a windy tree,
And that ain't no place for me.
Been there one time, been there two times,
Been there three times more than I care to be,
But we're gonna make it through, Gitchy Goomy.
Life is good, life is fine, life is warm,
Life is kind, can you see it?
Love is great, love is right,
Keeps you warm late at night when you need it.
Baby boy, daddy's joy, life's a toy,
But you don't want to break it.
Like a sweet symphony, all you need is the key, you can play it.
Gitchy goomy, gitchy gaddy, sit you laddie down while I have my say,
Now don't be runnin' away.
Goggin noggin, papa's talkin'
Don't go walkin' off like you mean to play,
Well, you can have it your way.
Been there one time, been there two times,
Been there three times more than I care to say,
But you're gonna be O.K. Gitchy Goomy.
Life is good, life is fine, life is warm,
Life is kind, can you see it?
Love is great, love is right,
Keeps you warm late at night when you need it.
Baby boy, daddy's joy, life's a toy,
But you don't want to break it.
Like a sweet symphony, all you need is the key, you can play it.
Been there one time, been there two times,
Been there three times more than I care to be,
Seen it one time, seen it two times,
Seen it three times, Lord 'n' it's plain to see.
Ah, you gonna make it through Gitchy Goomy.
You 'n' me gonna make it through Gitchy Goomy.
Ah, you gonna make it through Gitchy Goomy.
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Fast Car
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