Music Video

Fast car

Tracy Chapman Lyrics

Background and Context "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman, released in 1988 on her self-titled debut album, is a poignant narrayive song that has become one of her signature tracks. The song's storytelling and acoustic folk-rock style marked a significant departure from the dominant music trends of the late '80s. Its critical and commercial success underscored Chapman's impact on the music scene, bringing attention to social issues through personal narratives. Main Message and Theme The song tells the story of a young woman's desire to escape her challrnging life circumstances through the metaphor of a fast car. It explores themes of poverty, ambition, and the quest for a better life, juxtaposed against the realities of responsibility and the cyclical nature of socioeconomic hardship. "Fast Car" is a reflection on hope, dreams, and the often harsh reality of trying to change one's life. Musical Genre and Style Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" is characterized by its simple yet evocative acoustic guitar arrangement and Chapman's earnest vocal delivery. The song's folk-rock style allows the narrative to take center stage, with the guitar serving as both accompaniment and emotional counterpoint to the lyrics. This minimalist approach highlights the song's storytelling and emotional depth. Emotion and Atmosphere "Fast Car" creates an atmosphere of longing and introspection. The song's narrative structure, combined with Chapman's vocal delivery, evokes a sense of empathy and connection with the protagonist's struggles and aspirations. The emotional resonance of the song lies in its ability to convey complex feelings of hope, disappointment, and resilience. Meaning and Summary "Fast Car" serves as a powerful narrative about the desire to escape a cycle of poverty and the challenges that come with it. The song's protagonist sees a fast car as a symbol of freedom and a means to a better life, but over time, faces the reality that escaping one's circumstances is not as simple as it seems. The song's enduring appeal lies in its honest portrayal of life's complexities and the universal desire for a better future. Cultural Significance Since its release, "Fast Car" has been celebrated for its storytelling, emotional depth, and social commentary. The song has been covered by numerous artists and remains a beloved classic for its ability to touch on universal themes through personal narrative. "Fast Car" not only cemented Tracy Chapman's place in music history but also continues to inspire conversations about social mobility, dreams, and the realities of life for those on the margins.

Fast car Lyrics

Fast car by Tracy Chapman

You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere

Anyplace is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we'll make something
But me myself I got nothing to prove

You got a fast car
And I got a plan to get us out of here
I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money
We won't have to drive too far
Just 'cross the border and into the city
You and I can both get jobs
And finally see what it means to be living

You see my old man's got a problem
He live with the bottle that's the way it is
He says his body's too old for working
I say his body's too young to look like his
My mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
I said somebody's got to take care of him
So I quit school and that's what I did

You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
We leave tonight or live and die this way

I remember we were driving driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
And I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
And we go cruising to entertain ourselves
You still ain't got a job
And I work in a market as a checkout girl
I know things will get better
You'll find work and I'll get promoted
We'll move out of the shelter
Buy a big house and live in the suburbs

I remember we were driving driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
And I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
And I got a job that pays all our bills
You stay out drinking late at the bar
See more of your friends than you do of your kids
I'd always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me would find it
I got no plans I ain't going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving

So remember we were driving driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
And I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so you can fly away
You gotta make a decision
You leave tonight or live and die this way

Popular Tracy Chapman Songs

I am yours (if you are mine)
Other Songs album Fast car
Collection album Son Of A Preacher Man
Let It Rain album Happy
Let It Rain album Give me one reason
New Beginning album Save a place for me
New Beginning album The promise
New Beginning album The promise
New Beginnings album House of the rising sun
Other Songs album You're the one
Let It Rain album Heaven's here on earth
New Beginning album MORE ›

Sheet music

A-Z Lyrics Universe

Lyrics / song texts are property and copyright of their owners and provided for educational purposes.