Tracy Chapman, Luke Combs’ Grammys performance of ‘Fast Car’ gets standing ovation
Luke Combs released his own version of Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car' in 2023
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs got a standing ovation for their duet of "Fast Car" on Sunday at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
Chapman, 59, and Combs, 33, took the stage to perform the song together for the first time since the country music star released his own cover. "Fast Car" was originally released by Chapman in 1988. The Grammys stage marked Chapman's first performance in years.
Chapman's original song reached number one on iTunes after their performance. "This is crazy," she wrote on X after the news broke.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The re-recorded song, which was released in 2023, reached the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for best country solo performance by the recording academy.
Tracy Chapman joined Luke Combs for a duet of "Fast Car" at the Grammy Awards. (Getty Images)
In a pre-recorded video before the performance, Combs explained why he chose to record a cover of "Fast Car." The "Beautiful Crazy" singer grew up listening to Chapman with his father, Chester Combs.
The star studded audience was on their feet for the duo, and Taylor Swift was seen singing along to the tune.
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Fans reacted on social media in real time.
"You can tell on Luke Combs face how cool he thinks it is that he's up there singing this song WITH TRACY CHAPMAN… and he's right," a user on X wrote. "It IS so cool."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"That performance was EVERYTHING!!!!! The looks Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs were sharing," another added.
"Incredible moment to see Tracy Chapman get such high-profile credit for the success of Luke Combs' ‘Fast Car’ cover at the Grammys. I love this so much," one viewer shared.
Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman received a standing ovation at the 2024 Grammys. (Getty Images)
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The performance comes after the song stirred controversy over the summer. The Washington Post wrote an article claiming Combs' success with the cover was marred by the "complicated" conversation of race. While many celebrated the re-introduction of Chapman’s 1988 hit, the piece noted that Chapman as a Black queer woman would likely have never seen the same success in the country music industry.
However, Chapman spoke to Billboard about the song's newfound popularity after Combs' success.
"I never expected to find myself on the country charts, but I’m honored to be there," she told the outlet.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I’m happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced 'Fast Car.'"
Luke Combs released his version of "Fast Car" in April 2023. (Getty Images)