After 35 years after its first release, the vocalist of “Fast Car” expressed her gratitude to both Luke Combs and her audience for making the song such a success.
Tracy Chapman made history on the Wednesday night of the 2023 CMA Awards in Nashville by being the first Black songwriter to win the Song of the Year honor. The prize was presented to Chapman.
The performance of Chapman’s famous song “Fast Car” by Luke Combs earned her a nomination for the award, and she went on to win it. This was an important milestone 35 years after the song’s first release. Presenter Sara Evans read a message on the artist’s behalf, even though the famously reclusive Chapman was unable to attend the event.
In her letter, Chapman expressed her sadness that she would be unable to be with everyone “this evening.” “It is a sincere honor for my song to receive recognition once more after it has been out there for a total of 35 years,” she said. Gratitude to the CMAs, and a very heartfelt thank you to Luke and everyone who supports ‘Fast Car'”
This past summer, Combs’ interpretation of “Fast Car” climbed all the way to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also served as the opening performance for the CMA Awards evening, where it won awards for song of the year and single of the year.
Combs expressed his thanks for Chapman and discussed the personal relevance of the song in his life when he was questioned about Chapman.
This song has been with me for the all of my life, and it always brings back fond memories of times spent with my father. It is the music that I will play for my kid, and there is no question that it will become a part of my own history. When I contemplate how much it has meant to me, the idea that it will now be associated with me is just incomprehensible. Therefore, I would want to offer my gratitude and extend my best wishes to her,” Combs said.
Combs extended his gratitude to Chapman even further during his award speech, praising Chapman’s song “Fast Car” as “one of the best songs of all time.” The classic song was first distributed to the public in 1988, and the following year it helped Chapman win the GRAMMY for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Backstage, Combs gave an interview to Billboard in which he discussed the significance of his triumph and how much it meant to him. He spoke on how “Fast Car” was one of the first songs he can remember hearing, and how it took him a very long time to learn the song and sing it. He also said that he found it difficult to perform the song.
On November 8, at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), ABC broadcast a live broadcast of the 2023 CMA Awards, which were hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. You can see a complete list of the evening’s major winners right here. The 57th annual event may now be seen online via Hulu’s streaming service.