Fast Cars by Tracy Chapman Lyrics Meaning – The Escape Anthology: A Deep Dive into Dreams and Desperation

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Tracy Chapman's Fast Cars at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere
Any place is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we’ll make something
Me, myself, I got nothing to prove

You got a fast car
I got a plan to get us outta here
I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money
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

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
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
Is it fast enough so we can fly away?
We gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way

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

You got a fast car
We go cruising, entertain ourselves
You still ain’t got a job
And I work in the 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 bigger house and live in the suburbs

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

You got a fast car
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’d find it
I got no plans, I ain’t going nowhere
Take your fast car and keep on driving

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

You got a fast car
Is it fast enough so you can fly away?
You gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way

Tracy Chapman’s ‘Fast Car’ is not just a lyrical soiree; it’s an emblematic journey of hope, a nuanced narrative of escape, and a universally resonant anthem for change. Released in 1988, Chapman’s song soared into the hearts of many, becoming a timeless piece of art that continues to echo the sentiments of the dreamers and the disaffected. The weaving of a simple melody with a profound narrative underscores the transformative power of music.

At its core, ‘Fast Car’ is a ballad of yearning, sketching the portrait of a life entangled between the desire for something more and the gravity of reality. Tracy Chapman’s poignant storytelling, set against the backdrop of an acoustic guitar-driven sound, allowed the song to blossom into a cross-generational conversation piece, as relevant today as it was at the end of the 20th century.

The Road to Redemption Begins with an Engine’s Roar

Chapman’s narrative voice introduces us to the transformative potential of the ‘fast car’ right at the outset. The song opens with a depiction of this vehicle as much more than a tool of transportation; it’s a vessel of hope, a means of fleeing a static existence. As the song’s protagonist dreams of escape, Chapman paints the ‘fast car’ as a key to unlocking a better reality, away from a life where ‘starting from zero got nothing to lose’.

The first verse serves as the ignition of this journey, fueling the listeners’ imaginations and beckoning them onboard a ride through layered meanings and emotions. Chapman skillfully commands language and melody to deliver a sense of urgency and the raw desire to escape a predetermined, impoverished destiny.

A Glimpse into the Rearview: The Cycle of Poverty and Addiction

‘Fast Car’ strategically veers its narrative to highlight the cyclical nature of poverty and addiction. Chapman invites us to peer through the protagonist’s familial window, where we find a father, worn by life and swayed by the bottle. This intimate section of the song details a tale of generational struggles and the burdens they bestow upon the young dreamer at the center of the story.

It is within these deeply personal lyrics that Chapman addresses complex issues beyond the mythical ‘American Dream,’ underscoring the harsh truth that for many, life’s starting line isn’t equally positioned. The protagonist’s resignation to quit school and provide care is a powerful moment that speaks volumes about duty, sacrifice, and the abandonment of personal aspirations.

Speed as a Metaphor: The Fast Cars of Our Lives

As listeners, we’re not just hearing about physical velocity; we are introduced to the psychological speed with which life can pass by when dreams are deferred. The chorus presents a moment of respite from struggle, evoking a sensory depiction of a brief escape. The speed described in the choruses illustrates the ephemeral nature of joy and the desperation to cling to fleeting moments of freedom and belonging.

Driving ‘so fast it felt like I was drunk’ is laced with irony, contrasting the dream of liberation with the very chains that bind the protagonist’s family. This drunkenness, an escape within an escape, is potent and poetic, encapsulating the myriad ways we search for meaning and fulfillment, often racing against the constraints of our reality.

Unspoken Dreams: Dissecting the Song’s Hidden Meanings

Hidden within the ballad’s textured verses lies a dialogue about social mobility, commentary on relationships, and silent contemplations on gender roles. The song hints at the unseen responsibilities that hold many back from advancing, like caregiver roles often imposed on women. Tracy Chapman doesn’t spell out these themes, but her storytelling prowess allows them to resonate within the subtext, as listeners piece together the protagonist’s life outside the confines of the lyrics.

Drawing on these hidden meanings, the listener is encouraged to navigate the subtext, reading between the lines of the song’s ostensibly simple narrative. The persistent optimism juxtaposed with societal critique invites deeper reflection on the fundamental human craving for purpose, connection, and a fair shot at progress.

Legacy Lines: ‘I Had a Feeling I Could Be Someone’

The repeated refrain, ‘I had a feeling I could be someone,’ stands as a rallying cry, a universal longing etched into the song’s verses. This memorable line transcends the personal and speaks to the collective consciousness of listeners who have ever aspired to break free from their circumstances. The simple yet powerful assertion encapsulates the protagonist’s—and by extension, Chapman’s—seeking heart.

Within these words lies the inherent tension between the will to change one’s fate and the limitations imposed by the real world. As the protagonist faces the reality of unmet potential and broken promises, this line echoes as a gut-punch reminder of the profound human potential often left unexplored.