Luke Combs collaboration reignites interest in iconic song, making Chapman first black songwriter to win CMA’s song of the year

Tracy Chapman’s timeless hit “Fast Car” has experienced a remarkable resurgence, with sales skyrocketing by an astonishing 38,400% following her surprise performance at the Grammy Awards. Chapman, who performed alongside country music star Luke Combs, captivated audiences with her trademark husky vocals and iconic lyrics.

The resurgence of “Fast Car” can be attributed to Combs’ recent cover of the track for his album, which introduced the song to a new audience and reignited interest in Chapman’s classic masterpiece. The song’s resurgence led to its re-entry into the charts 36 years after its original release, earning Chapman a Country Music Association (CMA) Award in the process.

Chapman’s win at the CMAs marked a historic moment, as she became the first Black songwriter to win the coveted Song of the Year prize. Combs, reflecting on his decision to cover “Fast Car,” expressed his deep connection to the song, stating that it had been his favorite since childhood.

While Chapman was absent from the CMAs, she made a rare appearance at the Grammy Awards, where her performance with Combs ignited a surge in interest in the song. Following their rendition of the 1988 hit, sales of “Fast Car” soared to unprecedented levels, with a staggering increase of 38,400%, according to CBS News.

The impact of Chapman’s Grammy performance extended beyond sales, as streams of “Fast Car” reached an impressive 949,000 the day after the event. The performance was part of a memorable night at the Grammy Awards, which also featured Miley Cyrus accepting her first-ever Grammy award for Best Pop Solo Performance for her song “Flowers.”

In her emotional acceptance speech, Cyrus emphasized the importance of staying grounded despite accolades, expressing gratitude to her support network and acknowledging the beauty of life beyond awards.