In a memorable moment at the 2024 Grammy Awards, Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman joined forces for an unforgettable rendition of Chapman’s iconic 1988 hit, “Fast Car.”
The collaboration began with Combs, 33, reminiscing about his early memories of the song, expressing how it became his favourite before he even fully understood the concept of a favourite song. The heartfelt introduction set the stage for a powerful performance that captivated the audience at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Tracy Chapman, 59, graced the Grammy stage for the first time since her appearance on Late Night with Seth Myers in 2020, and her last tour dating back to 2009. The duet was a rare and highly anticipated moment, further amplified by Combs’ emotional connection to the song and his recent chart-topping cover.
Taylor Swift and Brandi Carlile were visibly moved, standing during the performance, joined by the entire audience in a standing ovation at the song’s conclusion.
Combs’ cover of “Fast Car” soared to the top of country music charts and reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, earning him a nomination for best country solo performance at the Grammys. The singer shared exclusively with PEOPLE in December that the decision to cover the song was rooted in cherished childhood memories with his father, Chester Combs.
Chapman, in an interview with Billboard in July, expressed her unexpected delight at finding her song on the country charts. She praised Combs’ version, saying, “I’m happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced ‘Fast Car.'”
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The Grammy duet brought two generations of artists together, with Chapman reflecting on her early success at 24 when “Fast Car” was released. The song served as the lead single off her debut album, Tracy Chapman, gaining prominence after her impromptu performance at the Mandela concert in Wembley Stadium.
As Combs and Chapman’s collaboration continues to make waves, the Grammys showcased a star-studded lineup, including Travis Scott, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel, Burna Boy, U2, and others. Presenters for the night featured Christina Aguilera, Lenny Kravitz, Lionel Richie, Mark Ronson, Maluma, Meryl Streep, Samara Joy, Taylor Tomlinson, and Oprah Winfrey.