The maximum anticipated efficiency of the 2024 Grammy Awards will see two icons come in combination to accomplish some of the largest songs of the remaining Forty years: “Fast Car.”
Tracy Chapman, who wrote the classic observe, will sign up for country famous person Luke Combs on the Sunday, February 4, rite on the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles for a duet of the song, which Combs lined last yr. The new version made the people staple a contemporary nation classic. In November 2023, Combs’ rendition earned Single of the Year and Song of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards, which made Chapman the first Black girl to win a CMA Award.
“It’s really an honor for my music to be newly recognized after 35 years of its debut,” Chapman stated in a statement read from the CMAs degree. “Thank you to the CMAs and a different because of Luke and all the fanatics of ‘Fast Car.’”
Ahead of the 2024 Grammys, right here’s everything you need to know about “Fast Car,” the Chapman-Combs duet and more:
Tracy Chapman Released ‘Fast Car’ in 1988
Chapman’s “Fast Car” was the lead unmarried from her self-titled debut studio album. Bolstered through Chapman’s look at the 70th birthday tribute concert for Nelson Mandela, “Fast Car” reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song tells the story of a working girl seeking to get away poverty and a damaged home who discovers she will be able to’t drive away from her issues.
The music’s lyrics resonated with many listeners who felt in a similar way alienated and distraught. As for the muse behind the track, Chapman used to be reticent about the main points. “People always want to learn about the person who writes, and the very best factor to do is assume that they write about themselves and that you'll achieve perception into what the writer thinks and feels,” she told Spin in 1988. “But that’s no longer necessarily true.
In songs, you are taking on different personas and different characters and take a look at and put your self of their place. Plus, I believe that should you move about explaining the whole thing about a track, it’s long past.”
Luke Combs Covered ‘Fast Car’ in 2023
Combs incessantly performed a country rendition of “Fast Car” at his concert events sooner than liberating a studio version of his duvet on his 2023 album, Gettin’ Old. His version saved lots of the lyrics intact; he changed “you” to “we” within the closing refrain however left the line about working “out there as a checkout woman” as is.
Combs’ version reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. “I by no means anticipated to find myself on the nation charts, but I’m venerated to be there,” Chapman instructed Billboard after Combs’ luck together with her song. “I’m happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced ‘Fast Car.’”
The luck of Combs’ cover made Chapman the first Black woman to best the Country Airplay chart as a tune’s solo author for the reason that chart’s debut in 1990.
Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman’s 2024 Grammys Performance
According to Variety, Chapman will go back to the degree for the primary time in years on the 2024 Grammys. The outlet reported that Chapman will make a wonder look alongside Combs to perform “Fast Car” at the rite.
Chapman has largely stayed out of the public eye since she completed her closing tour in 2009. She’s best made a handful of television appearances, probably the most noteworthy one coming in November 2020 on Late Night With Seth Meyers.
Chapman carried out her song “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” at the eve of the 2020 presidential election. It marked her first tv efficiency in 5 years. “This is a very powerful election of our lifetime,” she stated on the show. “It is crucial that everyone vote to restore our democracy.”
Meyers gushed about his visitor in a commentary, saying, “I’ve at all times concept Tracy Chapman’s song skips your ears and is going immediately for your middle. I’m so honored and excited to have her at the display. She’s living proof you can be a perfect artist whilst also talking out for what you believe in.”
Tracy Chapman Has Already Won a Grammy for ‘Fast Car’
Combs’ “Fast Car” is nominated for Best Country Solo Performance at the 2024 Grammys, alongside Tyler Childers’ “In Your Love,” Brandy Clark’s “Buried,” Dolly Parton’s “The Last Thing on My Mind” and Chris Stapleton’s “White Horse.”
Even if Combs leaves this yr’s rite empty-handed, “Fast Car” will nonetheless be a Grammy winner. The song won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 1989 Grammys. That year, Chapman additionally won Best Contemporary Folk Album for her self-titled debut and received Best New Artist, beating Vanessa Williams, Take 6, Toni Childs and Rick Astley.
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How Much Did Tracy Chapman Make from Luke Combs’ ‘Fast Car’?
Combs’ version did greater than reintroduce “Fast Car” to a new generation: It made Chapman a lot of money. In June 2023, Billboard estimated that Combs’ version had generated round $500,000 in global publishing royalties. Since Chapman owns the publishing rights to the song, Billboard reported that she was “pocketing a sizable quantity” of the ones royalties.
Combs’ version additionally gave Chapman’s original a streaming boost. Billboard famous that Chapman’s “Fast Car” noticed a Forty four p.c building up in “weekly consumption” and an 11 percent increase in radio spins, resulting in an estimated $54,000 in revenue with $13,000 coming from publishing royalties. (Warner Music Group’s Elektra Records owns the recording music rights, whilst Chapman owns the publishing.)
Who Else Has Covered ‘Fast Car’?
Combs isn't the primary particular person to cover “Fast Car,” nor will he be the final. According to Second Hand Songs, over 90 artists have coated the track, including Khalid, David Usher, Tobtok, Jonas Blue and Black Pumas.
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