Fast car

The Fast Car Songfacts says: When the then unknown Tracy Chapman was booked to appear down the bill at the Nelson Mandela birthday concert at Wembley Stadium on June 11th 1988, little did she know her appearance would be the catalyst for a career breakthrough. After performing several songs from her self titled debut during the afternoon, Chapman thought she'd done her bit and could relax and enjoy the rest of the concert. However, later in the evening Stevie Wonder was delayed when the computer discs for his performance went missing, and Chapman was ushered back onto stage again. In front of a huge prime time audience she performed "Fast Car" alone with her acoustic guitar. Afterwards the song raced up the charts on both sides of the Atlantic.

[Verse 1] 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 [Verse 2] 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 Finally see what it means to be living [Verse 3] See, my old man's got a problem He lives with a 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 When momma went off and left him She wanted more from life than he could give I said "Somebody's gotta take care of him" So I quit school, and that's what I did [Refrain] 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 [Chorus] 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 arms felt nice wrapped around my shoulder And I-I had a feeling that I belonged I-I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone [Verse 4] You got a fast car We go cruising, 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 this shelter Buy a bigger house and live in the suburbs [Chorus] 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 arms felt nice wrapped around my shoulder And I-I had a feeling that I belonged I-I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone [Verse 5] You got a fast car I got a job that pays all our bills You stay out drinking late at the bars See more of your friends than you do 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 [Chorus] So 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 around my shoulder And I-I had a feeling that I belonged I-I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone [Refrain] 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