"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.
Isn't it funny how you never really screamed at my face
But your anger so unspoken and unchannelled permeated my essence
To the point where I don't want to see you hear you, be anywhere near you
You probably think I'm threatened by you but your illusionary power doesn't threaten me
Actually I think it's kind of funny that you create an illusion that is a mirror
I don't appreciate you and I know that surprises you
I suppose you see that those who follow their heart always win
Those with integrity have won the match before it's begun
So rather than being kicked around, I'm goin' to kick you to the curb
So rather than being pushed around,I'm going to push you away first
So rather than trying to protect you, I'm going to cover my bases first
So rather than trying to open my heart, I'm going to lock it with a key
So that only the special ones can ever get through to me
Some can see beyond the barrier of threshold
Whereas others can't see beyond their sculptured mould
You offer me nothing, you could offer me nothing that I need
Do you think I'm asking too much?
A kind of respect and trust that shouldn't even be questioned
How can I open my heart with dishonesty sitting next to me?
I've honoured your honour to the point of embarrassment
But innocence in the hands of the guilt-free is kicked to, is kicked to the curb
I was ashamed of my innocence, I was ashamed of my innocence
But now with clarity I see that your bullshit is just not worthy of me
I don't want to be angry
This is not worthy of me and now clarity I see that I can walk away, I can walk away
But your anger so unspoken and unchannelled permeated my essence
To the point where I don't want to see you hear you, be anywhere near you
You probably think I'm threatened by you but your illusionary power doesn't threaten me
Actually I think it's kind of funny that you create an illusion that is a mirror
I don't appreciate you and I know that surprises you
I suppose you see that those who follow their heart always win
Those with integrity have won the match before it's begun
So rather than being kicked around, I'm goin' to kick you to the curb
So rather than being pushed around,I'm going to push you away first
So rather than trying to protect you, I'm going to cover my bases first
So rather than trying to open my heart, I'm going to lock it with a key
So that only the special ones can ever get through to me
Some can see beyond the barrier of threshold
Whereas others can't see beyond their sculptured mould
You offer me nothing, you could offer me nothing that I need
Do you think I'm asking too much?
A kind of respect and trust that shouldn't even be questioned
How can I open my heart with dishonesty sitting next to me?
I've honoured your honour to the point of embarrassment
But innocence in the hands of the guilt-free is kicked to, is kicked to the curb
I was ashamed of my innocence, I was ashamed of my innocence
But now with clarity I see that your bullshit is just not worthy of me
I don't want to be angry
This is not worthy of me and now clarity I see that I can walk away, I can walk away
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Fast Car
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Totally the post-breakup-womyn-power-there-is-still-hope-for-my-heart-yet song. But expertly and beautifully done.