“Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman is a timeless classic, beloved for its poignant storytelling and memorable melody. For guitar players, it’s also a fantastic song to learn, thanks to its relatively simple and repetitive chord progression. This guide will break down the guitar chords for “Fast Car”, making it easy for you to play along and enjoy this iconic song. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced guitarist looking to add a soulful tune to your repertoire, “Fast Car” is a perfect choice.
Chord Progression Breakdown for Fast Car
The beauty of “Fast Car” lies in its simplicity. The entire song, from the intro to the outro, revolves around a four-chord progression: Cmaj7, G, Em, and D. This progression is not only easy to memorize but also sounds beautiful and emotionally resonant, perfectly complementing the song’s lyrical content.
- Cmaj7: A mellow and slightly jazzy major 7th chord.
- G: A bright and foundational major chord.
- Em: A melancholic and introspective minor chord.
- D: Another major chord, adding a sense of resolution and movement.
This sequence of chords creates a harmonic landscape that is both comforting and subtly yearning, mirroring the themes of hope and escape in “Fast Car”. The consistent repetition of this progression makes the song accessible for guitarists of all skill levels, allowing you to focus on your strumming and the emotional expression of the music.
“Fast Car” Song Structure with Guitar Chords
Here’s the chord breakdown for each section of “Fast Car”. You’ll notice the consistent use of the |Cmaj7 G | Em D | progression throughout, making it easy to follow along.
Intro: |Cmaj7 G | Em D | Repeat 4 times
Verse 1:
|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.
Interlude: |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.
Interlude: |Cmaj7 G |Em D | |Cmaj7 G |Em D |
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.
Interlude: |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.
Interlude: |Cmaj7 G |Em D | |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
Dsus4 (crescendo all downs) 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.
Interlude: |Cmaj7 G |Em D | |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.
Interlude: |Cmaj7 G |Em D | |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
Dsus4 (crescendo all downs) 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
Interlude: |Cmaj7 G |Em D | |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.
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
Dsus4 (crescendo all downs) 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
Interlude: |Cmaj7 G |Em D | |Cmaj7 G |Em D |
Verse 7:
|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.
Outro: |Cmaj7 G |Em D | |Cmaj7 G |Em D | |Cmaj7 G |Em D | |Cmaj7 G |
Tips for Playing “Fast Car” on Guitar
To truly capture the essence of “Fast Car” on guitar, consider these tips:
- Strumming Pattern: A gentle and consistent strumming pattern works best. Try a simple down-down-up-down-up pattern, or experiment to find what feels right. Focus on keeping a steady rhythm.
- Fingerpicking: While strumming is common, “Fast Car” also sounds beautiful when fingerpicked. Try arpeggiating the chords, picking individual strings in the Cmaj7-G-Em-D progression to create a softer, more intimate feel.
- Dynamics: Pay attention to the dynamics of the song. “Fast Car” builds and recedes emotionally. Reflect this in your playing by varying your strumming intensity and volume.
- Chord Transitions: Practice smooth transitions between the chords. Since the progression repeats, fluid chord changes will make your playing sound much more polished.
- Sing Along: “Fast Car” is a song that’s enhanced by singing. Once you’re comfortable with the chords, try singing along to bring the story to life.
Learning “Fast Car” guitar chords is a rewarding experience. Its simple yet powerful chord progression makes it accessible for beginners, while its emotional depth provides endless opportunities for musical expression. Grab your guitar, learn these chords, and start playing this classic song today!
