Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” has topped the iTunes charts, performing in 1988 at Sunday’s 66th annual Grammy Awards alongside country music star Luke Combs.
The single was initially released 36 years ago on Chapman’s debut album, “Tracy Chapman,” and peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song also earned Chapman a Grammy in 1989 for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Combs released his version of Champman’s song last year, reaching No. 2 on the Hot 100 chart and earning him a Grammy nomination.
The song, which is Chapman’s most famous hit, has been covered by various artists over the years, including Sam Smith, Justin Bieber and Khalid.
Combs’ rendition of “Fast Car” reached number one on the Country Airplay chart in July 2023, making her the first Black woman to achieve a country number one with a solo composition. In November of that year, Chapman became the first Black woman to win a CMA Award, winning Song of the Year for “Fast Car.” She is also the first Black songwriter to win that award in CMA history.
Full performance of Fast Car by Tracy Chapman with Luke Combs at the Grammys.
— Yashar Ali ???? (@yashar) February 5, 2024
Her smile at the beginning is the best. pic.twitter.com/Eo8aw15Snf
Combs credits his father with introducing him to the magic of Chapman’s music.
“My dad would play me that Tracy Chapman self-titled album,” he said via Inc. “I just loved that song. So, when I went into the studio to record…I was like, what if we just did this cover of ‘Fast Car,’ just ’cause I want to do it?”
Viewers were moved by the performance. Despite Chapman and Combs hailing from different worlds — she, a Black queer, blues and folk singer-songwriter, and he, a 33-year-old country music singer—dressed in matching all-black outfits, their message clearly one of unity. The performance received a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd.
“Tracy Chapman is such an icon, and one of the greatest artists that I think any of us will be along to see,” Combs said ahead of the performance, per Variety. “It’s a full circle moment for me. Just to be associated with her and any way is super humbling for me.”
