"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
I was born in Savannah '55
My daddy was a man of the sea
Said my mama died when she gave me my life
I believed him 'cause he never lied to me
And I followed in my old man's footsteps
Living my life under the sail
I've slept with the best, and I've been drunk with the rest
Fishing, and fighting and raising hell
Just another port o' call
Another lady of the night
Just upstairs and down the hall
Faking love 'neath the red light
Sailing 'cross the Gulf on that stormy night
I was driven to New Orleans in the howling wind
When I hit that devil dock I tied her down tight
And went looking for a bottle and a friend
That's when I saw her near Café d'l'Amour
A faded flower out in the rain
She smiled at me and said "Bonjour, Monsieur"
I was drawn to her like a moth to the flame
Just another port o' call
Another lady of the night
Just upstairs and down the hall
Faking love 'neath the red light
We walked and we talked and as the night wore on
She took me to her room above Bourbon Street
Candlelight, soft music, perfume and red wine
I paid the price to share her satin sheets
But in the flickering light, her locket caught my eye
As it lay gleaming upon her breast
It was fine Spanish silver with diamonds inlaid
And as I reached for it she started to undress
As I slowly opened it and took a look inside
I saw a faded photograph - my father and his young bride!
And on the back these simple words inscribed
”I love you, Savannah '55"!
Just another port o' call
Another lady of the night
Just upstairs and down the hall
Faking love 'neath the red light
Just another port o' call
Another lady of the night
Just upstairs and down the hall
Faking love 'neath the red light
My daddy was a man of the sea
Said my mama died when she gave me my life
I believed him 'cause he never lied to me
And I followed in my old man's footsteps
Living my life under the sail
I've slept with the best, and I've been drunk with the rest
Fishing, and fighting and raising hell
Just another port o' call
Another lady of the night
Just upstairs and down the hall
Faking love 'neath the red light
Sailing 'cross the Gulf on that stormy night
I was driven to New Orleans in the howling wind
When I hit that devil dock I tied her down tight
And went looking for a bottle and a friend
That's when I saw her near Café d'l'Amour
A faded flower out in the rain
She smiled at me and said "Bonjour, Monsieur"
I was drawn to her like a moth to the flame
Just another port o' call
Another lady of the night
Just upstairs and down the hall
Faking love 'neath the red light
We walked and we talked and as the night wore on
She took me to her room above Bourbon Street
Candlelight, soft music, perfume and red wine
I paid the price to share her satin sheets
But in the flickering light, her locket caught my eye
As it lay gleaming upon her breast
It was fine Spanish silver with diamonds inlaid
And as I reached for it she started to undress
As I slowly opened it and took a look inside
I saw a faded photograph - my father and his young bride!
And on the back these simple words inscribed
”I love you, Savannah '55"!
Just another port o' call
Another lady of the night
Just upstairs and down the hall
Faking love 'neath the red light
Just another port o' call
Another lady of the night
Just upstairs and down the hall
Faking love 'neath the red light
Lyrics submitted by lobo81865
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Pretty creepy when the guy realizes the prostitute he is about to have sex with is his long-lost mother.
@lobo81865 Well, yeah it is, but how would he know that it is his mom if his father told him that she died?<br /> <br />
@lobo81865 Well, yeah it is, but how would he know that it is his mom if his father told him that she died?<br /> <br />