Sportsong of the Week #66
"Faster"
George Harrison
1979
Sportsong of the Week #66 is a song about a sport not featured that often on Art Loves Sport: Formula 1. It's 'Faster' by the late George Harrison! His ode to legend Jackie Stewart! The song was inspired by Harrison's year away from music-making in 1977, during which he travelled with the Formula 1 World Championshipseries, and by his friendship with racing drivers such as Jackie Stewart and Niki Lauda. Although equally applicable to other professions, the lyrics address the difficulties of achieving and maintaining success in the field of motorsport, particularly Formula 1. In the music video, Harrison actually performs the track in the back of a car chauffeured by Jackie Stewart!
Full Lyrics
Chose a life in circuses Jumped into the deepest end Pushing himself to all extremes Made it - people became his friend. Now they stood and noticed him Wanted to be part of it Pulled out some poor machinery So he worked 'til the pieces fit. The people were intrigued His wife held back her fears The headlines gave acclaim He'd realized their dreams. Faster than a bullet from a gun He is faster than everyone Quicker than the blinking of an eye Like a flash you could miss him going by No one knows quite how he does it but it's true they say He's the master of going faster. Now he moved into the space That the special people share Right on the edge of do or die Where there is nothing left to spare. Still the crowds came pouring in Some had hoped to see him fail Filling their hearts with jealousies Crazy people with love so frail. The people were intrigued His wife held back her fears The headlines gave acclaim He'd realized their dreams. Faster than a bullet from a gun He is faster than everyone Quicker than the blinking of an eye Like a flash you could miss him going by No one knows quite how he does it but it's true they say He's the master of going faster. No need to wonder why His wife held back her fears So few have even tried To realize their dreams. Faster than a bullet . . . [repeat chorus]