Friday Sessions #79: ‘Maybe together we can get somewhere’ – ‘Fast Car’ Tracy Chapman

If you happen to be driving this weekend, this track is one for your playlist. ‘Fast Car,’ released back in 1988 has been covered by many artists but Tracy Chapman’s original version has to be the best.

Check the lyric ‘Maybe together we can get somewhere.’

When using this expression we can talk about progress, or (as in today’s track,) to reach a destination. Check the examples below:

“How’s the preparation going?” “Great, I think we’re really getting somewhere.” (Progress)

“I need to get somewhere quickly, can you take me?” (Physical distance)

“It’s taken a long time to convince them, but I think we’re getting somewhere now.” (Progress/Persuasion)

So as you listen to our focused lyric, maybe you can understand the double meaning. Is she referring to a physical ‘somewhere’? Or perhaps an aspirational ‘somewhere,’ in an effort to escape and change her life for the better….

Lyrics:

You’ve got a fast car
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’ve got a fast car
I got a plan to get us out of here
I’ve been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money

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

See my old man’s got a problem
He lives 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’ve got a fast car
Is it fast enough so we can fly away?
We gotta make a decision
We leave tonight or live and die this way

So 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 round my shoulder

And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone
Be someone, be someone

You’ve got a fast car
We go cruising to entertain ourselves
You still ain’t got a job
And I work in the 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 bigger house and live in the suburbs

So remember 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 round my shoulder

And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone
Be someone, be someone

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

So 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 round my shoulder

And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone
Be someone, be someone

You’ve 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