Tracy Chapman knew exactly how she wanted to carry her duet with Luke Combs to existence at the 2024 Grammys.
“She had a imaginative and prescient, and she requested Luke his ideas,” Combs’ manager, Chris Kappy, instructed Rolling Stone in a Friday, February 9, interview. “Then they just saved working through it and running by way of it. It used to be a a laugh way to watch two artists create the moment that we were going to have all together at the Grammys.”
Chapman, 59, and Combs, 33, teamed up at the February Four ceremony to accomplish Chapman’s 1988 hit “Fast Car.” Combs’ quilt of the tune, which served as the second one single off his fourth studio album, Gettin’ Old, has dominated the country song charts since it hit airwaves in 2023. It has additionally earned countless awards accolades, including a nomination for Best Country Solo Performance at this year’s Grammys.
Combs and Chapman ultimately made up our minds to perform the original model the tune after spending just 20 mins speaking sooner than their first run-through. It required Combs to sing in a lower key, however consistent with Happy, the musician wasn’t eager about the changes.
“All of this used to be executed to honor the amazing woman, songwriter, and artist that she is,” he mentioned. “The whole alternative for us to also be on a stage with Tracy Chapman is what this was once all about.”
Their duet additionally marked the primary time Chapman and Combs had met in person — and Chapman’s first award show in years.
“[Tracy and Luke] had been supported by means of key people behind the scenes — including David Kershenbaum, who produced Tracy’s debut album — and, in combination, the collective revel in and ability present in that room created a singular and wonderful new version of this loved tune,” Chapman’s good friend and Nonesuch Records SVP, Matthew Rankin, informed the hole, calling it a “significant and emotional moment” for everybody involved.
“Ultimately, the performance speaks for itself,” Rankin continued. “Especially the interaction between Tracy and Luke and their expressions, which tells you all you wish to have to learn about the best way they have been feeling.”
Rankin famous all involved knew they had been “operating toward one thing particular” when crafting the moment, which ended up being “the entirety” the musicians hoped it could be. “The subsequent reaction has been fantastic, exceeding our expectancies in such a lot of tactics,” he added.
Following Combs and Chapman’s fascinating efficiency — which earned a status ovation from the Grammys audience — the unique model of “Fast Car” shot to the No. 1 place on iTunes’ Top Song charts, beating out Combs’ own Grammy-nominated rendition of the tune.
During its preliminary release, “Fast Car” peaked at No. 6 at the Billboard Hot 100. At the time, it used to be nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 1989 Grammys, successful the latter. Chapman’s self-titled album was additionally up for Album of the Year. It in the long run misplaced to George Michael’s Faith, however took house Best Contemporary Folk Album.
Chapman informed Billboard in July 2023 that she was satisfied to look that Combs’ version of “Fast Car” used to be introducing the music to new listeners.
“I never expected to search out myself on the nation charts, but I’m honored to be there,” she said. “I’m happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new enthusiasts have discovered and embraced ‘Fast Car.’”
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Combs, in the meantime, informed the opening he was once thrilled Chapman was once getting a brand new wave of recognition from the cover. “The good fortune of my cover is unreal and I believe it’s so cool that Tracy is getting recognized and has reached new milestones,” he stated. “I love that she is available in the market feeling the entire love and that she gave me a shout-out! Thank you, Tracy!”
After making waves on the Grammys, Combs took to social media to precise his gratitude to Chapman.
“I’ll have more to say about final evening once I’ve had the danger to procedure it,” he wrote via his Instagram Stories along a photograph of the pair on stage. “All I will say now could be thanks Tracy and thanks @recordingacademy for letting me be a part of a in reality outstanding second. I’m very grateful.’”
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