Fast Car by Tracy Chapman, released in 1988, reflects on poverty, hope, and the desire to escape difficult circumstances through the symbolic promise of a fast car. Tracy Chapman drew inspiration for the song from her own life and her experiences growing up in a tough neighborhood. The song became an international hit and is considered one of Chapmans biggest successes.
Key: G
Introduction:
C7M
G
Em
D
x4
C7M
G
You got a fast car.
Em
D
I want a ticket to anywhere.
C7M
G
Maybe we make a deal,
Em
D
Maybe together we can get somewhere.
C7M
G
Any place is better.
Em
D
Starting from zero, got nothing to lose.
C7M
G
Maybe we'll make something,
Em
D
Me myself, I got nothing to prove.
C7M
G
Em
D
C7M
G
You got a fast car.
Em
D
I got a plan to get us out of here:
C7M
G
I been working at the convenience store,
Em
D
Managed to save just a little bit of money.
C7M
G
Won't have to drive too far
Em
D
Just 'cross the border and into the city,
C7M
G
You and I can both get jobs
Em
D
And finally see what it means to be living.
C7M
G
Em
D
C7M
G
You see, my old man's got a problem:
Em
D
He live with the bottle, that’s the way it is.
C7M
G
He says his body's too old for working,
Em
D
His body's too young to look like his.
C7M
G
Em
D
My mama went off and left him, she wanted more from life than he could give,
C7M
G
I said, "Somebody's got to take care of him."
Em
D
So I quit school and that's what I did.
C7M
G
Em
D
C7M
G
You got a fast car.
Em
D
But is it fast enough so we can fly away?
C7M
G
We gotta make a decision:
Em
D
Leave tonight or live and die this way.
C7M
G
Em
D
Em
C
G
C
So I remember when: we were driving, driving in your car,
Em
C
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk,
Em
C
City lights lay out before us
Em
C
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder.
C
Em
D
And I had a feeling that I belonged
C
Em
D
Em
C
Em
And I had a feeling I could -- be someone, be someone, be someone.
C7M
G
Em
D
C7M
G
You got a fast car.
Em
D
And we go cruising to entertain ourselves;
C7M
G
you still ain't got a job
Em
D
And I work in a market as a checkout girl.
C7M
G
I know things will get better:
Em
D
You'll find work and I'll get promoted,
C7M
G
We'll move out of the shelter
Em
D
Buy a bigger house and live in the suburbs.
C7M
G
Em
D
Em
C
G
C
So I remember when: we were driving, driving in your car,
Em
C
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk,
Em
C
City lights lay out before us
Em
C
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder.
C
Em
D
And I had a feeling that I belonged
C
Em
D
Em
C
Em
And I had a feeling I could -- be someone, be someone, be someone.
C7M
G
Em
D
C7M
G
You got a fast car.
Em
D
And I got a job that pays all our bills.
C7M
G
You stay out drinking late at the bar,
Em
D
You see more your friends than you do your kids.
C7M
G
I'd always hoped for better,
Em
D
Thought maybe together you and me would find it,
C7M
G
I got no plans I ain't going nowhere,
Em
D
so take your fast car and keep on driving.
C7M
G
Em
D
Em
C
G
C
So I remember when: we were driving, driving in your car,
Em
C
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk,
Em
C
City lights lay out before us
Em
C
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder.
C
Em
D
And I had a feeling that I belonged
C
Em
D
Em
C
Em
And I had a feeling I could -- be someone, be someone, be someone.