TRACY CHAPMAN —— FAST CAR BASS TAB


Intro


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You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
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Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere
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Any place is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
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Maybe we'll make something
But me myself I got nothing to prove
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Verse

 
You got a fast car
And I got a plan to get us out of here
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I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money
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We won't have to drive too far
Just 'cross the border and into the city
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You and I can both get jobs
And finally see what it means to be living
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You see my old man's got a problem
He live with the bottle that's the way it is
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He says his body's too old for working
I say his body's too young to look like his
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My mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
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I said somebody's got to take care of him
So I quit school and that's what I did
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You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
We leave tonight or live and die this way
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CHORUS

I remember we were driving driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
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And I had, had a feeling that I belonged
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And I had, had a feeling I could be someone, 
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be someone, be someone
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Verse 2

You got a fast car
 And we go cruising to entertain ourselves
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You still ain't got a job
And I work in a market as a checkout girl
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I know things will get better
You'll find work and I'll get promoted
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We'll move out of the shelter
Buy a big house and live in the suburbs
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CHORUS 2

I remember we were driving driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
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A|——5——5——7—0—————————7——9——9——5—0—7——7——|
E|————————————5——5——5————————————————————|

And I had, had a feeling that I belonged
G|——————————————|
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A|——5—————9——7——|
E|—————5————————|

And I had, had a feeling I could be someone, 
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A|——5—————9——7——|
E|—————5————————|

be someone, be someone
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A|—5——0——|
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Verse 2

You got a fast car
And I got a job that pays all our bills
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You stay out drinking late at the bar
See more of your friends than you do of your kids
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I'd always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me would find it
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I got no plans I ain't going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving
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OUTRO

I remember we were driving driving in your car
The speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
G|———————————————————————————————————————|
D|———————————————————————————————————————|
A|——5——5——7—0—————————7——9——9——5—0—7——7——|
E|————————————5——5——5————————————————————|

And I had, had a feeling that I belonged
G|——————————————|
D|——————————————|
A|——5—————9——7——|
E|—————5————————|

And I had, had a feeling I could be someone, 
G|——————————————|
D|——————————————|
A|——5—————9——7——|
E|—————5————————|

be someone, be someone
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D|———————|
A|—5——0——|
E|———————|

G|——————————————|
D|——————————————|
A|——5———————————|
E|—————5——2——0——|(x2)

You got a fast car
But is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision
We leave tonight or live and die this way
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E|—————5——2——0——|

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FOR MORE TABS, OR IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, 
OR REQUESTS. EMAIL ME AT: [email protected] OR 
JOIN BIGBASSTABS.com(DANNYBASSMAN93) and Message me for bass tab request.

About Tracy Chapman

Tracy Chapman (born March 30, 1964) is a singer-songwriter, best known for her singles "Fast Car", "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution", "Baby Can I Hold You", "Give Me One Reason", "The Promise" and "Telling Stories". She is a multi-platinum and four-time Grammy Award-winning artist.

How to Read Bass Tabs

Bass tablature (tabs) is an easy way to learn songs without needing to read traditional sheet music. Here’s a quick guide to understanding the symbols and techniques commonly found in tabs:

1. The Basics

Strings and Frets:
Each line in a tab represents a string on your bass:
- The top line is the highest-pitched string (G on a 4-string bass).
- The bottom line is the lowest-pitched string (E on a 4-string bass).
Numbers on the lines indicate which fret to press. For example:
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------------------|
A|---3---------------|
E|-------------------|
            
```
This means you play the 3rd fret on the A string.

2. Common Techniques

Hammer-On (h):
Play the first note by picking it, then press down on a higher fret with another finger without picking again.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------5h7---------|
            
```
Pull-Off (p):
Pluck a note and then "pull off" your finger to let a lower fret ring.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------7p5---------|
            
```
Slide (/ or \):
Move your finger up (/) or down (\) the fretboard while maintaining pressure.
```
G|-------------------|
D|-------5/7---------|
            
```

3. Advanced Techniques

Bend (b): Push the string up or down to raise the pitch. Example: G|-------7b9---------|
Vibrato (~): Shake the string slightly after playing a note to create a vibrating sound. Example: G|-------7~----------|
Muted Notes (x): Rest your finger lightly on the string without pressing a fret and pluck for a percussive "click" sound.

4. Rhythm and Timing

Tabs don’t always indicate timing, so listen to the song while reading the tab. Wider spaces between numbers mean longer pauses, while closer numbers indicate quicker notes.

5. Slap and Pop

Slap (s): Strike the string with the side of your thumb for a percussive sound.
Pop (p): Pull the string away from the fretboard and let it snap back.

Practice Makes Perfect

Tabs are a great tool to learn songs, but mastering the techniques takes practice. Listen carefully to the original track and play along to lock in the rhythm. Don’t rush — smooth, accurate playing is more important than speed. Happy jamming! 🎸

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Tracy Chapman — Fast Car bass tabs