Tracy Chapman – Fast Car

“Fast Car” – Single by Tracy Chapman from the album Tracy Chapman with B-side “For You”. Released April 6, 1988.

It was released on April 6, 1988, as the lead single from her 1988 self-titled debut studio album.

Soon after she performed Fast Car at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert on June 11, 1988, Chapman’s song began its rise on the US charts; it became a Number 6 pop hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending August 27, 1988. While it’s her biggest hit in the USA, Fast Car didn’t release as a single worldwide. In France for instance, it wasn’t even air on the radio, maybe because cars are not that much into French culture (but the Revolution is, that would explain the Talkin’Bout A Revolution success in this country). Fast Car won the “Best Pop Vocal Performance Female” 1989 Grammy Awards (and was nominated that same year for the Song of the Year “Fast Car”).

It might come as a surprise, but Tracy Chapman’s song Fast Car isn’t about a vehicle. Instead, the tune details the life of a woman in a relationship constantly facing challenges.

Much of Chapman’s success is due to the song’s popularity and listeners’ ability to relate to it. Challenges are a common part of life, and overcoming them can be difficult.

In the original edition of Tracy Chapman’s debut album (LP / Cassette / CD), all lyrics were printed in English but also translated into French, Spanish, German and Italian. A very good way to have her message understood by everyone.

Original lyrics in English

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 ‘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
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

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
And I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone

You got a fast car
And we go cruising to 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 the shelter
Buy a big house and live in the suburbs

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

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

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