FAST CAR

Here's how to play Fast Car by Tracy Chapman, released in 1988, this song uses a Capo on the 2nd fret.

CHORDS USED

G Major 3rd on A String 5th on B String.png

PICKING PATTERN

STRUMMING PATTERN

Chorus Strumming Pattern

CHORDS & LYRICS

INTRO

|Cmaj7 G |Em D | x 4

VERSE
Cmaj7 G
You got a fast car, and
Em D
I want a ticket to anywhere
Cmaj7 G
Maybe we make a deal
Em D
Maybe together we can get somewhere
Cmaj7 G
Any place is better
Em D
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Cmaj7 G
Maybe we'll make something, but
Em D
me myself I got nothing to prove

INTRO 2

|Cmaj7 G |Em D |
|Cmaj7 G |Em D |

VERSE 2
Cmaj7 G
You got a fast car, and
Em D
I got a plan to get us outta here
Cmaj7 G
I been working at the convenience store
Em D
managed to save just a little bit of money
Cmaj7 G
won’t have to drive too far
Em D
just 'cross the border and into the city
Cmaj7 G
You and I can both get jobs, and
Em D
finally see what it means to be living

VERSE 3
Cmaj7 G
You see my old man's got a problem
Em D
he lives with the bottle, that's the way it is
Cmaj7 G
He says his body's too old for working
Em D
His body's too young to look like his
Cmaj7 G
My mama went off and left him
Em D
she wanted more to life than he could give
Cmaj7 G
I said, “somebody's got to take care of him"
Em D
so I quit school and that's what I did

INTRO 4
|Cmaj7 G |Em D |

|Cmaj7 G |Em D |

VERSE 4
Cmaj7 G
You got a fast car,
Em D
but is it fast enough so we can fly away?
Cmaj7 G
We gotta make a decision
Em D
leave tonight, or live and die this way

INTRO 5

|Cmaj7 G |Em D |

CHORUS
C
So I remember when we were driving, driving in your car
G
the speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
Em
and the city lights lay out before us
D
and your arm felt nice wrapped round my shoulder
C Em D
and I had a feeling that I belonged
C Em D
and I had a feeling I could be someone
C D
be someone, be someone.

INTRO 6

|Cmaj7 G |Em D |

VERSE 5
Cmaj7 G
You got a fast car
Em D
and we go cruising to entertain ourselves
Cmaj7 G
You still ain't got a job,
Em D
and I work in a market as a checkout girl.
Cmaj7 G
I know things will get better
Em D
you'll find work and I'll get promoted
Cmaj7 G
We'll move out of the shelter
Em D
buy a big house, and live in the suburbs

INTRO 7

|Cmaj7 G |Em D |

CHORUS

C
So I remember when we were driving, driving in your car
G
the speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
Em
and the city lights lay out before us
D
and your arm felt nice wrapped round my shoulder
C Em D
and I had a feeling that I belonged
C Em D
and I had a feeling I could be someone
C D
be someone, be someone.

INTRO 8

|Cmaj7 G |Em D |

VERSE 6
Cmaj7 G
You got a fast car
Em D
and I got a job that pays all our bills.
Cmaj7 G
You stay out drinking late at the bar,
Em D
see more of your friends than you do of your kids.
Cmaj7 G
I'd always hoped for better.
Em D
Thought maybe together you and me would find it,
Cmaj7 G
I got no plans, I ain't going nowhere,
Em D
so take your fast car and keep on driving.

INTRO 9

|Cmaj7 G |Em D |

CHORUS
C
So I remember when we were driving, driving in your car G
the speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
Em
and the city lights lay out before us
D
and your arm felt nice wrapped round my shoulder
C Em D
and I had a feeling that I belonged
C Em D
and I had a feeling I could be someone
C D
be someone, be someone

INTRO 10

|Cmaj7 G |Em D |

VERSE 7
Cmaj7 G
You got a fast car,
Em D
but is it fast enough so you can fly away?
Cmaj7 G
You gotta make a decision:
Em D
leave tonight, or live and die this way.

OUTRO

|Cmaj7 G |Em D |