Fast Car

Words & Music:

Tracy Chapman

 

[Pick an opening riff below or play A  E  A  E instead.  First note = F#]

 

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 across 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.

 

[opening riff 2x]

 

CHORUS:

(D)                A                                  F#m

I remember we were driving, driving in your car, the speed so fast I felt like I was drunk.

Esus4                                  D                      F#m

City lights lay out before us and your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder.

E           D            F#m

And I had a feeling that I belonged.

E             D               E                                  [back to riff]

And I had the 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.

 

[play opening riff over all the verses - chords are A  E  A  E]

Opening Riff, version 1:              version 2:                  version 3:

e---------0--0-----|5--4--4----| |--------0--0----|----------| |-----------------|---------|

B------------------|-----------| |----------------|--11--9---| |-----------------|--10--9--|

G---6-7-6----------|-----------| |--6-7-6-7-------|---9--9---| |--6h.o.7--6---9--|---9--9--|

D---7-----7-----7--|7--7----7--| |--7-----7----7--|---9--9---| |--7-------7--11--|---------|

A------------------|-----------| |--0-------------|---0------| |--0--------------|---0-----|

E------------------|-----------| |--------0-------|------0---| |--------------0--|------0--|