Fast Car

Tracy Chapman

About Fast Car

"Fast Car" is a song written and recorded by American singer Tracy Chapman. It was released on April 6, 1988 as the lead single from her 1988 self-titled debut studio album. Her appearance on the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute was the catalyst for the song's becoming a top-ten hit in the United States, peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart. "Fast Car" received two Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Song of the Year, as well as a MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Female Video in 1989.  


Year:
2015
4:57
4,379 
#4

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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
Me, myself I got nothing to prove

You got a fast car
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
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
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 remember we were driving, driving in your car
Speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
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 to entertain ourselves
You still ain't got a job
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 bigger house and live in the suburbs

I remember we were driving, driving in your car
Speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
I had a feeling that I belonged
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 would find it
I got no plans I ain't going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving

I remember we were driving, driving in your car
Speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
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

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Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman (born March 30, 1964) is an American singer-songwriter, best known for her singles "Fast Car", "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution", "Baby Can I Hold You", "Crossroads", "Give Me One Reason" and "Telling Stories". She is a multi-platinum and four-time Grammy Award-winning artist. more »

10 fans

Written by: Tracy L. Chapman

Lyrics © DistroKid

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Artist
"Fast Car" is sung by Tracy Chapman, an American singer-songwriter who made a name for herself with her self-titled debut album.
Chart Performance
The track 'Fast Car' was a Top 10 Billboard Hot 100 single, peaking at #6 in the charts.
Grammy Winner
Pertaining to Awards, "Fast Car" was nominated for the 1989 Grammy for Record of the Year, and Chapman won for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Album Success
The track has contributed significantly to the sale of Chapman's debut album which sold over six million copies in the USA alone.
Lyrics
"Fast Car" tells a gritty, realistic story of a working poor woman trying to escape the cycle of poverty.
Cover Versions
The popularity and impact of the song have resulted in numerous cover versions over the year, notably by artists like Sam Smith, Justin Bieber, and Boyce Avenue.
Rollings Stone Ranking
The song was ranked 167th on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Re-entered Charts
Following a performance on the UK TV show 'Britain's Got Talent' by Michael Collings in 2011, "Fast Car" re-entered the UK Singles chart at number 4.
Songwriter Hall of Fame
In Recognition, Tracy Chapman and her song "Fast Car" were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2020.
Popularity Over Time
Due to its timeless appeal, "Fast Car" remained one of Tracy Chapman's most popular and recognized songs throughout her career to date.
Social Commentary
The song has often been hailed as a powerful commentary on social issues pertaining to poverty and the difficulty in escaping such conditions.
Chart Success Globally
In terms of international reception, "Fast Car" achieved Top 10 positions in a number of countries including Australia, Canada, Ireland, and New Zealand.

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    Fast Car

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1988

    Billboard #6


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