"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.
You say there's a sadness in my eyes
Inevitable when surrounded by lies
Settle for second best without a fight
I'll be sold out when the price is right
When the stars are gone
You can carry on
Hold your head up high
And the clouds roll by
I don't care what you say
You never meant that much to me, anyway
Just keep living for myself
Cause you'll never know what I thought or how I felt
You say I'm selling myself short
Sharing my heart only as a last resort
"You'll never pull yourself through"
Isolation from all I knew
Where's your smile now?
You'll still wonder how
I held my head up high
When I passed you by
I'm not ending today
Did you think that I'd just lay down and die?
Did you think that you meant that much in my life?
Inevitable when surrounded by lies
Settle for second best without a fight
I'll be sold out when the price is right
When the stars are gone
You can carry on
Hold your head up high
And the clouds roll by
I don't care what you say
You never meant that much to me, anyway
Just keep living for myself
Cause you'll never know what I thought or how I felt
You say I'm selling myself short
Sharing my heart only as a last resort
"You'll never pull yourself through"
Isolation from all I knew
Where's your smile now?
You'll still wonder how
I held my head up high
When I passed you by
I'm not ending today
Did you think that I'd just lay down and die?
Did you think that you meant that much in my life?
Lyrics submitted by oofus
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Fast Car
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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Along with every other song by TCP...I love this one too. The verse "When the stars are gone You can carry on Hold your head up high And the clouds roll by" is so true. I don't know how they do it, but they say everything to the point. I love them. I can never thank them enough for everything. It's so great to know that you're not alone.
Wow Holly, that's my favorite verse! (Imagine my surprise to see you on here! :D, though, should I be surprised? no, not really!)