If you are looking to play Fast Car on your guitar without using your capo then you’ve found the right guide for you. Here we are giving you a simple tutorial so you can learn to play the song from start to finish. In this article, we will give you all of the chords, the strumming pattern and the full version of the song so that you can learn how to play it like the original version.
Fast Car is a song that was written by Tracy Chapman in 1988 and it was featured on the album that was self-titled. It’s easily one of her most notable pieces, receiving two Grammy nominations. It also reached number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Below we have included a video tutorial on how to play the song in case you get stuck at any point during this guide. Let’s get playing.
Fast Car Chords No Capo
As you will see from the chord charts we have included for you above, the chords you need to play Fast Car by Tracy Chapman are C major, G major, E minor and D major. You can play them all as open chords to make it easier if you are a beginner to the guitar. If you want to use a capo to sound more like the original version then you will need to place it on the second fret. Please note that not using a capo for this song will mean it won’t quite sound exactly like the original does.
Fast Car Strumming Pattern
The strumming pattern you will use n this song is pretty easy as well. It goes D-DU-UD-D-DU-UD. If you need to see this played before you jump in then please refer to the video tutorial we included for you at the beginning of this guide.
Fast Car Chords with Lyrics
Once you have learned the chords individually and how the strumming pattern ties in with the rhythm you can give the whole song a go. If you’re not completely confident right from the word jump then you can break the song down into sections. Below we have included all of the chords along with the lyrics so you can learn to play the song from start to finish.
Instrumental
C G Em D x4
Verse 1
C G
You got a fast car
Em D
I want a ticket to anywhere
C G
Maybe we make a deal
Em D
Maybe together we can get somewhere
C G
Any place is better
Em D
Starting from zero, got nothing to lose
C G
Maybe we’ll make something
Em D
Me, myself, I got nothing to prove
Instrumental
C G Em D x2
Verse 2
C G
You got a fast car
Em D
I got a plan to get us outta here
C G
I been working at the convenience store
Em D
Managed to save just a little bit of money
C G
Won’t have to drive too far
Em D
Just cross the border and into the city
C G
You and I can both get jobs
Em D
Finally see what it means to be living
Instrumental
C G Em D x42
Verse 3
C G
See my old man’s got a problem
Em D
He lives with a bottle, that’s the way it is
C G
He says his body’s too old for working
Em D
His body’s too young to look like this
C G
My mama went off and left him
Em D
She wanted more from life than he could give
C G
I said, “Somebody’s got to take care of him”
Em D
So I quit school and that’s what I did
Instrumental
C G Em D x2
Verse 4
C G
You got a fast car
Em D
But is it fast enough so we can fly away?
C G
We gotta make a decision
Em D
Leave tonight or live and die this way
Instrumental
C G Em D x2
Chorus
C
So I remember when we were driving
G
Driving in your car
C G
Speed so fast it felt like I was drunk
Em C
City lights lay out before us
Em D
And your arm felt nice wrapped round my shoulder
C Em D
And I had a feeling that I belonged
C Em D Em C Em
And I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
Instrumental
C G Em D x2
Verse 5
C G
You got a fast car
Em D
We go cruising, entertain ourselves
C G
You still ain’t got a job
Em D
And I work in a market as a checkout girl
C G
I know things will get better
Em D
You’ll find work and I’ll get promoted
C G
We’ll move out of the shelter
Em D
Buy a bigger house and live in the suburbs
Instrumental
C G Em D x2
Chorus
C
So I remember when we were driving
G
Driving in your car
C G
Speed so fast it felt like I was drunk
Em C
City lights lay out before us
Em D
And your arm felt nice wrapped round my shoulder
C Em D
And I had a feeling that I belonged
C Em D Em C Em
And I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
Instrumental
C G Em D x2
Verse 6
C G
You got a fast car
Em D
And I got a job that pays all our bills
C G
You stay out drinking late at the bar
C D
You see more of your friends than you do your kids
C G
I’d always hoped for better
Em D
Thought maybe together, you and me’d find it
C G
I got no plans, I ain’t going nowhere
Em D
So take your fast car and keep on driving
Instrumental
C G Em D x2
Chorus
C
So I remember when we were driving
G
Driving in your car
C G
Speed so fast it felt like I was drunk
Em C
City lights lay out before us
Em D
And your arm felt nice wrapped round my shoulder
C Em D
And I had a feeling that I belonged
C Em D Em C Em
And I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
Instrumental
C G Em D x2
Verse 7
C G
You got a fast car
Em D
Is it fast enough so you can fly away?
C G
You gotta make a decision
Em D
Leave tonight or live and die this way
Outro
C G Em D x3
C G
Conclusion
As you can see from the above this is quite a lengthy song but once you have one verse and the chorus nailed the song repeats itself over and over again so you should find it simple enough. Beginners can also play this song as the chords are simple and basic enough for you to grasp. You can find other guides on our website such as how long does it take to learn guitar along with other easy fingerpicking songs that can be played like the one above. Make sure to take a look around and discover other new songs you may want to play on your guitar.
FAQs
What chords are in Fast Car?
You will be using the chords C, G, Em and D to recreate this song.
What key is Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car in?
The key used in this song is G and you need to have your guitar set to standard tuning.