 Tracy Chapman (1988) [ larger cover art ] |
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Musicbrainz DBYou've got a fast car
I wanna ticket to anywhere
Maybe we can 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've got nothing to prove
You've got a fast car
I've got a plan to get us out of here
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
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
When 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've 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
Say 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 had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
You've got a fast car
We go cruising entertain ourselves
You still ain't got a job
Now 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
Say remember when we were driving, driving in your car
Speeds 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 had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
You've got a fast car
I've 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 and I ain't going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving
Say remember when we were driving, driving in your car
Speeds 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 had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
You've 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
| kcar | Posted: Mar 09, 2013 - 02:05 Sloggydog wrote: Simply not possible Possible. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracy_Chapman Tracy performed on the streets and in the clubs around Harvard Square in Cambridge, MA while a student at Tufts University in the '80s. I may have even heard Tracy perform on the streets there although it seems she moved pretty quickly into music venues like Passim. She graduated from Tufts in '87 and signed a contract with Elektra records that year. The album "Tracey Chapman" came out in '88. "Fast Car" was the second track on the album and it was her first hit. Sloggydog, I assure you that I lived and worked in the Boston area when "Fast Car" hit #6 on Billboard's Hot 100 charts in August '88. The Boston-area FM stations beat that song to death. People I worked and played with in Boston, Cambridge and Somerville would change the channel when that and other TC songs came on. There was a big backlash against the overplay and she became the butt of some jokes for being too earnest and tiresome. If you have any more claims of "simply not possible", rockstar, PM me instead of boring other RPers with this discussion. |
| Sloggydog (UK) | Posted: Mar 09, 2013 - 00:15 kcar wrote: Must PSD. I was living near Cambridge, MA when Tracy made the jump from Harvard Square busker to major singer/songwriter with this song. It got played to death. Simply not possible |
| kcar | Posted: Mar 09, 2013 - 00:13 Must PSD. I was living near Cambridge, MA when Tracy made the jump from Harvard Square busker to major singer/songwriter with this song. It got played to death. |
| Lazarus (Bethany) | Posted: Feb 05, 2013 - 16:20 This song is soooo good for the ears... and the heart... |
| Kanuffen (Trelleborg, Sverige) | Posted: Dec 04, 2012 - 23:21  |
| Toke (Bournemouth UK) | Posted: Oct 03, 2012 - 05:38 A true ''CLASSIC'' such a sad story of hope when experiencing an addiction, she conveys so much emmotion in all the words. One of my all time favourites, a story of a ''Geographical'' (friends of Bill W will understand) |
| srose96 (grandma's house) | Posted: Oct 03, 2012 - 05:36 great flow, tremendously smooth vibe |
| jberko (Franklin, TN) | Posted: Sep 01, 2012 - 16:30 Horrible |
| (former member) (hotel in Las Vegas) | Posted: May 29, 2012 - 22:02 beautiful classic... |
| Grammarcop (Upriver from Zug Island) | Posted: Mar 27, 2012 - 10:51 Solid. |
| wade44 (2900 Km East of Paradise, CA) | Posted: Mar 27, 2012 - 10:50 Nice ending... "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" |
| Kaisersosay (Mighty Mighty Bostown) | Posted: Mar 27, 2012 - 10:47 No one in my hotel room likes this one. |
| (former member) (hotel in Las Vegas) | Posted: Mar 27, 2012 - 10:46 marvelous... love it... |
| Kaisersosay (Mighty Mighty Bostown) | Posted: Mar 27, 2012 - 10:45 bleeeeeesssshhhhhhh |
| (former member) (hotel in Las Vegas) | Posted: Feb 24, 2012 - 18:22 Everybody in my hotel room loves this song... |
| dogpound (the island on which I belong) | Posted: Feb 24, 2012 - 18:17 rssarma wrote: This song never fails to please! truth |
| haresfur (Bendigo Australia) | Posted: Nov 21, 2011 - 14:06 Sasha2001 wrote: Great, here come the waterworks! And I'm sitting at a stoplight next to a concerned looking police officer who has no idea who Tracy Chapman is. Well at least you weren't driving past him "at speeds so fast..."  |
| jmsmy (Music Town, Klein, Texas) | Posted: Nov 21, 2011 - 14:05 Born To Run |
| Deadwing (Cincinnati OH) | Posted: Aug 18, 2011 - 23:14 Sasha2001 wrote: Great, here come the waterworks! And I'm sitting at a stoplight next to a concerned looking police officer who has no idea who Tracy Chapman is. Sounds like something that would happen to me  I have a very emotional response to certain music. Transatlanticism by DCFC never fails to get me, and the last couple of times I've heard The Birds by Elbow on here that one got me too. I think the bittersweet songs affect me more than sad songs. |
| Sasha2001 (I can see Zabars from my window) | Posted: Jul 18, 2011 - 14:18 Great, here come the waterworks! And I'm sitting at a stoplight next to a concerned looking police officer who has no idea who Tracy Chapman is.
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| rssarma (New York) | Posted: May 24, 2010 - 13:34 This song never fails to please! |
| parrothead (could be anywhere in the great USA) | Posted: Feb 18, 2010 - 15:24 thewiseking wrote: this song ISNT classic unless you define classic as amateurish uninspired singing with overwrought awful poetry this is about as CLASSIC as hootie and the blowfish Hootie and the Blowfish will be CLASSIC in the future but not right now...( = |
| (former member) (hotel in Las Vegas) | Posted: Dec 17, 2009 - 19:54 love it... |
| PFM (Off the road) | Posted: Nov 16, 2009 - 10:07 Do you mean she's put on weight? darrenwwwa wrote: I saw her in concert 2 night ago. She was excellent. She performed this song a bit fater and with a more of an acoustic sound that worked very well. |
| calypsus_1 | Posted: Oct 14, 2009 - 20:26 Tracy Chapman - "Fast car" Live |
| ortallcowgirl (Globe, Arizona) | Posted: Sep 14, 2009 - 09:41 I sing this song in the bar. It is sadder than most realize. Good choice of music, makes you feel the lyrics |
| rez | Posted: Aug 13, 2009 - 21:50 maybe I'm overly susceptible to "uninspired singing with overwrought awful poetry" but I find it hard to listen to this without a tear or two coming to the eye. |
| LongGoneDaddy | Posted: Jul 13, 2009 - 06:21 I like Eddie Murphy's version better... |
| darrenwwwa (Amsterdam) | Posted: Jul 13, 2009 - 06:20 I saw her in concert 2 night ago. She was excellent. She performed this song a bit fater and with a more of an acoustic sound that worked very well. |
| gjeeg (Syracuse, New York) | Posted: Jun 11, 2009 - 10:49 1988 FlatCat wrote: How long has this song been around? And yet it seems more poignant now with the economic meltdown and all. |
| Mandible | Posted: Jun 11, 2009 - 10:49 This song is just too sad for me to listen to. Lovely song. Love Tracy. I just can't listen. |
| handyrae (Zero Point Field) | Posted: Jun 11, 2009 - 10:49 Before the singing started I was thinking this was some odd, Unplugged version of Jack & Diane. Weird — I never thought that before. |
| gjeeg (Syracuse, New York) | Posted: Jun 11, 2009 - 10:49 Weird classic profound drivel! Be someone !!!!! |
| (former member) (hotel in Las Vegas) | Posted: Jun 11, 2009 - 10:48 Deep song... great stuff... and good for the ears... |
| nigelr (Coffs Harbour, Australia) | Posted: Apr 09, 2009 - 03:46 thewiseking wrote: this song ISNT classic unless you define classic as amateurish uninspired singing with overwrought awful poetry this is about as CLASSIC as hootie and the blowfish Sorry, (not, actually) your self-described majesty, I beg to differ! Either you ain't bin' there, or your in denial;.............  |
| peter_james_bond (Lunenburg, NS) | Posted: Mar 08, 2009 - 15:26 jnhashmi wrote: If this song isn't a classic, I don't know what is. Just amazing. Yes it is! Such a powerful song, deserves a 10. |
| leliathomas (A southern girl (Miss.) in Melbourne, Australia) | Posted: Jan 04, 2009 - 09:52 I love Tracy Chapman and eagerly buy her albums as they come out. While I think "Fast Car" is overrated in comparison to a lot of her other works, it is still an amazing song, in my opinion. |
| FlatCat (Chicago) | Posted: Jan 04, 2009 - 09:51 How long has this song been around? And yet it seems more poignant now with the economic meltdown and all. |
| countyman (pittsburgh) | Posted: Nov 02, 2008 - 07:33 flyboy wrote: Mute. Wasilla ?!?!?!?! Let me guess, you're a Maverick. |
| countyman (pittsburgh) | Posted: Nov 02, 2008 - 07:32 Ericac wrote: Don't get me wrong, I do like this song a lot. But it also always reminds me of that parody skit which was so funny. However, I believe it was on the TV program called "In Living Color". Amazing what memories that music stirs up. It was In Living Color and the actress was Debra Wilson. Hilarious skit. |
| FluorideFreeMN (Central Minnesota) | Posted: Oct 01, 2008 - 17:53 still overplayed...even today. |
| gabbadar | Posted: Jul 30, 2008 - 12:53 DELTA__9__FOOLS wrote: This is bewildering. Why would they call you a rapist? I read through that story about 3 times thinking the same thing. I think you're missing something from that story there, or the concert-goers were just drunken concert-goers. |
| kcar | Posted: Jul 30, 2008 - 12:52 Yeah, Pretty sure that the parody was on "ILC." I grew up near Cambridge, MA where Tracy got her start (busking in Harvard Square, I believe). The local stations played this song so much I would yell the lyrics back at the radio out of frustration and sarcasm. Bill, I think at this point even Tracy herself would appreciate it if you'd give this song a nice, long rest. She actually has written and performed other songs! As for the fellow RPer who was labeled a "rapist" while walking with his baby in a stroller and his ex: I'm just guessing, but maybe the people yelling were just goofing on you. That, or they were just in an angry, man-hating mood (which gets really tired really fast). Ericac wrote: Don't get me wrong, I do like this song a lot. But it also always reminds me of that parody skit which was so funny. However, I believe it was on the TV program called "In Living Color". Amazing what memories that music stirs up.
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| jnhashmi (South Pasadena/Los Angeles) | Posted: Jul 30, 2008 - 12:40 If this song isn't a classic, I don't know what is. Just amazing. |
| DELTA__9__FOOLS (Dirtona, FL) | Posted: Jul 30, 2008 - 12:37 CafeRacer wrote: Flashback 20 years ago. My ex and I were walking through town after playing chess and drinking coffee at a local cafe. I was pushing our 8 month old son in a stroller. This same weekend was a national Women's Music Festival. The Tracy Chapman concert had let out about 30 minutes ago and as we were walking I heard three concert-goers yelling "RAPIST!" at me from across the street. Tracy Chapman will forever be linked to hatred and intolerance in my eyes. It's a shame, because I might otherwise enjoy the music.
This is bewildering. Why would they call you a rapist? |
| CafeRacer (Still Waiting To Wake Up, Indiana) | Posted: May 28, 2008 - 13:05 Flashback 20 years ago. My ex and I were walking through town after playing chess and drinking coffee at a local cafe. I was pushing our 8 month old son in a stroller. This same weekend was a national Women's Music Festival. The Tracy Chapman concert had let out about 30 minutes ago and as we were walking I heard three concert-goers yelling "RAPIST!" at me from across the street. Tracy Chapman will forever be linked to hatred and intolerance in my eyes. It's a shame, because I might otherwise enjoy the music. |
| Ericac (Lakeville, MN) | Posted: Mar 26, 2008 - 13:13 Pyro wrote: Did anyone see the Mad TV parody on Tracy? She would look out the window and write a song about whatever she saw...pretty funny! "Man out in the yard, beatin oh his woman, carries a big stick..."
This song IS a classic! Don't get me wrong, I do like this song a lot. But it also always reminds me of that parody skit which was so funny. However, I believe it was on the TV program called "In Living Color". Amazing what memories that music stirs up. |
| -relayer- (9500 ft ASL) | Posted: Mar 26, 2008 - 13:09 thewiseking wrote: this is about as CLASSIC as hootie and the blowfish
 What a perfect description for this dreck. |
| nctomatoman (Raleigh NC) | Posted: Aug 19, 2007 - 13:25 i think this is her best song - and a just plain great song, period....one of those that work their way into your head and you hum it all day. |
| lawman (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK) | Posted: Jul 19, 2007 - 01:35 highwindows wrote: What ever happened to Tracy Chapman??
Maybe she got into that fast car... Oh - 8, by the way! |
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