Fast Car – English Lyrics

• By: Luke Combs
• Album: Gettin' Old

Lyrics & Translation

"Fast Car" by Luke Combs offers a unique opportunity to explore American English through its heartfelt lyrics and accessible country-pop style. This song, a respectful cover of Tracy Chapman's classic, allows listeners to delve into themes of hope, struggle, and the pursuit of a better life, making it a rich narrative to learn new vocabulary and expressions. Its emotional depth and clear storytelling provide a compelling context for language acquisition, inviting users to connect with the song's universal themes while appreciating its musical nuances.

[English]

You know I love to hear y'all sing along

This is one of my favorite songs of all time

It's called "Fast Car"

♪ You got a fast car ♪

♪ And I want a ticket to anywhere ♪

♪ Maybe we make a deal ♪

♪ Maybe together we can get somewhere ♪

♪ Any place 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 ♪

♪ 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 ♪

♪ Won't have to drive too far ♪

♪ Just across the border and into the city ♪

♪ And you and I can both get jobs ♪

♪ Finally see what it means to be living ♪

♪ See, my old man's got a problem ♪

♪ He lives with the bottle, that's the way it is ♪

♪ He said his body's too old for working ♪

♪ His body's too young to look like his ♪

♪ So 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? ♪

♪ Still gotta make a decision ♪

♪ Leave tonight or live and die this way ♪

♪ So I remember when 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 around my shoulder ♪

♪ And I-I, had a feeling that I belonged ♪

♪ I-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 ♪

♪ So I work in the market as a checkout girl ♪

♪ I know things will get better♪

♪ You'll find work and I'll get promoted ♪

♪ And we'll move out of the shelter ♪

♪ Buy a bigger house and live in the suburbs ♪

♪ So I remember when 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 around my shoulder ♪

♪ And I-I, had a feeling that I belonged ♪

♪ I-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 ♪

♪ Take your fast car and keep on driving ♪

♪ So I remember when 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 around my shoulder ♪

♪ And I-I, had a feeling that I belonged ♪

♪ I-I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone♪

♪ You got a fast car ♪

♪ Is it fast enough so we can fly away? ♪

♪ Still gotta make a decision ♪

♪ Leave tonight or live and die this way ♪

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
car /kɑːr/ A1	noun - a road vehicle, typically with four wheels, powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor and able to carry a small number of people.
drive /draɪv/ A1	verb - operate and control the direction and speed of a motor vehicle noun - a trip in a motor vehicle
work /wɜːrk/ A1	verb - to expend effort toward a goal noun - activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result.
money /ˈmʌni/ A1	noun - a current medium of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes
city /ˈsɪti/ A1	noun - a large town or urban center
life /laɪf/ A1	noun - the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic matter, including capacity for growth, reproduction, functional activity, and continual change preceding death.
school /skuːl/ A1	noun - an institution for educating children or young people.
tonight /təˈnaɪt/ A2	noun - the night that is coming; this evening.
lights /laɪts/ A2	noun - the illumination from a lamp, candle, etc.
job /dʒɒb/ A2	noun - a paid position of regular employment
shelter /ˈʃeltər/ B1	noun - a place giving temporary protection from bad weather or danger.
bills /bɪlz/ B1	noun - a statement of the sum due for goods or services rendered, itemizing the separate amounts.
bar /bɑːr/ B1	noun - a place where alcoholic drinks are served.
bottle /ˈbɒtl/ B1	noun - a container, typically made of glass or plastic and with a narrow neck, used for storing liquids.
decision /dɪˈsɪʒn/ B2	noun - a conclusion or resolution reached after consideration.

Key Grammar Structures

• Maybe **we make** a deal

  ➔ Present Simple (subjunctive mood)

  ➔ Although it looks like the simple present, in contexts like this, it can express a hypothetical or tentative suggestion. The 'maybe' suggests uncertainty, softening the statement.

• Any place is **better**

  ➔ Comparative adjective

  ➔ "Better" is the comparative form of "good", indicating that any other place is superior to their current situation.

• I **been working** at the convenience store

  ➔ Present Perfect Continuous

  ➔ "Been working" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present. It emphasizes the duration of the activity.

• Managed **to save** just a little bit of money

  ➔ Infinitive of purpose

  ➔ The infinitive "to save" explains the purpose of managing. It clarifies the intention behind the action.

• He said his body's **too old for working**

  ➔ "Too" adjective "for" someone/something

  ➔ The structure "too + adjective + for + noun/gerund" indicates that something exceeds a limit or is unsuitable for a particular purpose. In this case, his body exceeds the age limit for working.

• Is it fast enough **so we can fly away?**

  ➔ "So that/so as to" clause of purpose (elliptical)

  ➔ While "that" is omitted, the clause expresses the intended outcome or purpose. It implies, "Is it fast enough so that we can fly away?"

• Leave tonight **or live and die this way**

  ➔ Parallel structure/ellipsis

  ➔ The phrase implies "or (we will) live and die this way." The parallel structure emphasizes the stark contrast between the two options. "We will" is omitted in the second clause.

• I had a feeling **that I belonged**

  ➔ Noun clause after a feeling/hope/belief

  ➔ "That I belonged" is a noun clause acting as the object of the verb "had". It specifies the content of the feeling.

• You stay out drinking late **at the bar**

  ➔ Prepositional phrase indicating location

  ➔ The prepositional phrase "at the bar" specifies the location where the action of drinking late is taking place.