In a breathtaking moment at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards, Luke Combs stole the spotlight with a captivating performance of his GRAMMY-nominated rendition of “Fast Car,” featuring none other than the legendary Tracy Chapman. The indelible melody filled the venue, setting the stage for an unforgettable duet that left the audience in awe.
As the song’s iconic lyrics unfolded, the camera captured Chapman elegantly strumming her guitar, harmonizing effortlessly with the country singer. The audience, including Taylor Swift, couldn’t help but join in as Combs crooned the emotional verses and belted out the chorus.
Combs’ cover of Chapman’s 1988 debut single, released as the second single off his 2023 studio album, “Gettin’ Old,” became an unexpected sensation. While Chapman’s original version achieved top 10 status on the Billboard Hot 100 at the beginning of her career, Combs’ countrified take reached new heights, peaking at an impressive No. 2 and claiming the top spot on the Country Airplay chart.
The roots of “Fast Car” run deep, earning Chapman a GRAMMY in 1989 for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, with additional nominations for Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year. Nearly 35 years later, Combs’ cover echoed this success, earning a GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Solo Performance.
In a touching video introducing his performance, Combs expressed the profound impact “Fast Car” had on him, stating, “It was my favorite song before I even knew what a ‘favorite song’ was.” He went on to acknowledge Tracy Chapman as an icon and one of the greatest songwriters of their time. The full-circle moment of being associated with her was, as Combs put it, “super humbling.”
Despite the Best Country Solo Performance GRAMMY going to Chris Stapleton’s “White Horse” at the Premiere Ceremony, the collaboration between Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman undeniably stole the show, leaving an enduring mark on the 2024 GRAMMY Awards.
