Tracy Chapman's hit song "Fast Car" is living its second life on the music charts and award shows once again-35 years after its initial release in 1988.
According to reports, "Fast Car" won song and single of the year at the 2023 Country Music Awards (CMAs) last Wednesday.
"I'm sorry I couldn't join you all tonight. It's truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of its debut," Chapman wrote in a letter read by the award show's presenter, Sarah Evans, following the song's win.
"Wow. Thank you to the CMAs and a special thanks to Luke (Combs) and to all of the fans of 'Fast Car.'"
The song was covered and remixed several times before; once in 2015 by Jonas Blue and Tobtok, which ended up on the UK music charts, and now it is a cover by Combs, resulting in the song topping the music charts again.
Luke Combs Covers Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car'
Younger generations were introduced, or not, reintroduced to "Fast Car" following Comb's cover, which gave the song a country music twist.
"I never expected to find myself on the country charts, but I'm honored to be there," Chapman told Rolling Stone earlier this year.
"I'm happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced Fast Car."
Meanwhile, the country singer also shared his love for the song, which began when he was a child.
"I just recorded it because I loved the song. It's the first favorite song that I ever had, at four years old," Combs explained.
Tracy Chapman Makes Music History
The song was first featured on the singer's self-titled debut studio album, which earned her a Grammy Award in 1989 for female pop vocal performance, on top of several nominations for the song.
According to reports, Chapman is the first Black songwriter to win Song of the Year at the CMAs and its 57-year history.
Reports also say that the singer has a high chance of being nominated once again at the Grammy Awards following this huge win at the CMAs with the same song.
Perhaps this time around, "Fast Car" will finally win Song of the Year at the upcoming Grammy Awards.
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