Tracy Chapman singing 'Fast Car' with Luke Combs at the Grammys is getting attention for all the right reasons

Legendary singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman performed her iconic 1988 tune "Fast Car" with country star Luke Combs at Sunday's Grammy Awards. It was Chapman's first public performance in nearly a decade, and the duet has been getting a ton of attention — and for all the right reasons.

What's the background?

You might recall that Combs' cover of "Fast Car" hit the top of the charts last year, and alongside the adulation was quite a bit of controversy.

See, Combs is a white, straight male, and Chapman is a black, queer woman — and the success of Combs' version rubbed certain folks the wrong way.

Holly G, founder of the Black Opry — a group for black country music singers and fans — told the Washington Post that "it’s hard to really lean into [the Combs' "Fast Car"] excitement knowing that Tracy Chapman would not be celebrated in the industry without that kind of middleman being a white man.”

Tanner Davenport, co-director of the Black Opry, added to the Post that Combs' rapid success covering Chapman "kind of just proves that when you put a white face on black art, it seems to be consumed a lot easier.”

Holly G added to the Post — speaking hypothetically to Combs — that “you used her art to enrich your career, and that opens you up to a little bit of responsibility giving back to the community.”

Today said one commenter on the Post article remarked that people of color "and women rarely get any play on country stations. I was listening to OKQ this morning, and they played 5 male artists before they played a female artist. It grinds my gears that Luke Combs remade a song that was near-perfect, and now it’s getting a ton of play. Every time I hear the remake, I wish I were hearing the original.”

As it happens, there was no controversy coming from the two most important people involved: Chapman and Combs.

"I never expected to find myself on the country charts, but I’m honored to be there," Chapman told Billboard in the wake of the success of Combs' cover. "I’m happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced ‘Fast Car.’”

Combs' "Fast Car" rendition in November won two Country Music Association awards: Single of the Year and Song of the Year, Today said, adding that Combs in acceptance remarks said, "First and foremost, I want to thank Tracy Chapman for writing one of the best songs of all time."

He added to Billboard that his "Fast Car" cover "has surprised me more than you can imagine. Tracy Chapman wrote this perfect song that I first heard with my dad and it has stayed with me since I have played it in my live show now for six-plus years and everyone — I mean everyone — across all these stadiums relates to this song and sings along. That’s the gift of a supernatural songwriter. The success of my cover is unreal, and I think it’s so cool that Tracy is getting recognized and has reached new milestones. I love that she is out there feeling all the love and that she gave me a shout-out! Thank you, Tracy!”

In addition, Billboard noted last July that Combs’ rendition generated at least $500,000 in global publishing royalties — the bulk of which goes to Chapman since she owns the writer’s and publisher’s share of the song. What's more, the Daily Beast said that less than an hour after her Sunday duet with Combs, Chapman’s original version of "Fast Car" hit the top of the U.S. iTunes charts "for the first time ever."

How are folks reacting to the Chapman-Combs duet?

Reactions to Chapman's duet with Combs at the Grammys seemed overwhelmingly positive. Here's a sampling:

• "It looked like she was tearing up at the beginning when everyone was cheering... it was so dang beautiful and filled my heart with joy," one commenter said.
• "I loved that he let her lead (I know it’s her song)," another user observed. "He worked off her the entire song. Very respectful!"
• "The VIBE between these two!!" another commenter exclaimed.
• "I’m not crying you’re crying," another user wrote.
• "This makes me feel like maybe this world can work after all," another commenter concluded.

GRAMMYs: Tracy Chapman Makes RARE Appearance to Sing Fast Car With Luke Combsyoutu.be

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