You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away?

In Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car”, the narrator, her family and boyfriend are stuck in a cycle of poverty. But she has come up with a great plan to escape. See, her boyfriend has a car. What if they drive out of town and they get a job? They both know that if they don’t leave now, they’ll live and die here in poverty like their parents. Deal?

They make the right decision—they leave and start their new life—they are not going to be like their parents. For a while it works out. But then they begin to repeat the pattern of their parents: she gets pregnant too young; he gets drunk all the time. Just like her father, his body is beat down by manual labor that pays little, so he drinks to cope.

Eventually he is out all night, she is taking care of the kids and resents him. They break up—they can’t afford a nanny. Also, they left their town to try to be different from their family so their parents can’t babysit.

And that car…the fast car. He still has it all these years later. It reminds them both of a better time. They both remember how hopeful they were. He still loves it because it takes him back to the good times. She hates. It is a constant reminder of that this was their best shot at making it. And now it is the only thing they own and the only thing he pays attention to.

Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” is a throwback to sixties folk and blues music.  It is the most unlikely hit of the eighties. Chapman speaks of the plight of the poor—specifically poor black individuals—whose sole healthy escape might be via their car.

Tracy Chapman’s voice in “Fast Car” sounds great. It is understated, but emotional, strong and beautiful. She creates a unique guitar riff that is instantly recognizable, and it sounds great on her acoustic guitar. When the full band comes in during the chorus it feels powerful—like we are joining her on her ride in her fast car.

You might also like “The Promise” by Tracy Chapman.

Fast Car Lyrics

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 across 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

See 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
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

See 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
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’d find it
I got no plans I ain’t going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving

See I remember when 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
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
Leave tonight or live and die this way

written by Tracy Chapman