The headline-grabbing performance at this year’s Grammys came from none other than Tracy Chapman.
The iconic singer-songwriter, 59, teamed up with Luke Combs to perform “Fast Car” at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. It was Chapman’s breakout hit in 1988. Last year, Combs’ cover took the song to number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
It was Chapman’s first public appearance since 2020, surprising and delighting the Grammys audience. She had not been listed as an official performer beforehand.
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Chapman performed “Fast Car” solo at the Grammys in 1989, the year before 33-year-old Combs was born.
Full performance of Fast Car by Tracy Chapman with Luke Combs at the Grammys.
Young or old, Chapman’s original song has a special place in the hearts of many. It’s also beloved by many LGBTQ+ people, given its theme about escaping a challenging home life and yearning for something better.
It’s no surprise to learn that it’s a favorite song for American Idol alum David Archuleta. Raised a Mormon in Utah, Archuleta’s own struggles to embrace his sexuality are well known.
On Monday, inspired by the Grammys, he posted a video of himself singing “Fast Car” to Instagram.
“This song’s been on my mind since last night’s #Grammys ❤️ One of my all-time favorites,” Archuleta said in an accompanying caption.
Fans were impressed with many urging him to record a cover a.s.a.p.
The Grammy performance of “Fast Car” has reignited interest in both the song and Tracy Chapman.
Yesterday, Chapman’s “Fast Car” rose to the top of the iTunes streaming chart. Chapman’s debut, self-titled album, also saw a significant iTunes boost.
Watch Chapman’s original 1988 music video for “Fast Car”:
Next up, David Archuleta will be a special guest at the 2024 Queerties Awards on March 12, where he’s slated to present and deliver a special performance. He’ll be on stage alongside our host, Jinkx Monsoon, and none other than his American Idol supporter Paula Abdul, on hand to receive the honorary “Straight Up Ally” award.
Twenty-five years ago, George Michael did something amazing just before Thanksgiving.
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Hey, you go on American Idol, do well, come out after a confusing upbringing in the Mormon church, and sing a “duet” to one of the hottest songs right now and sound good doing it, and yeah, they’ll do article for you, too. Bitter much?
How am I just discovering Tracy Chapman is a woman and this song is sung by a woman… I’ve never deep-dived her clearly but every time I listen to this song I thought it was a man. Maybe it’s the gay in me wanting to think a man is singing? Idk but I’m disappointed in myself lol
If not already, play the Joan Armatrading albums, starting with her first one. The vocals, the guitar. Everything about Joan’s writing and singing will take you places. She is one of the greatest Lesbians in the music industry. As is Tracey Chapman. We were completely (I don’t have a word for it) when we watched her on Sunday night.
Many have compared the two singer/songwriters. All praising both. You may hear the similarities. Of course Joan is from St Kittsand then mostly London.and she has a fabulous accent. Tracey is a good old american woman. Both shy. Enjoy!
Much to know about Tracey. And this is telling. To all those white, southern bigots. End your denials.
Excerpt from today’s NYT
Last year, as Combs’s version of “Fast Car” became a surprise hit, the tune won song of the year at the Country Music Association Awards, making Chapman the first Black songwriter to win that prize. (She did not appear to accept it.)
I’m so glad Tracy Chapman is getting her flowers again after so many years. She’s a fav of mine. I’m not a fan of Luke Combs cover of her song, I feel like he’s missing the weakness and desperation of the tone. He sang it as a generic country night mic. I like David’s and Sam Smith covers more.
What I love is how Luke Combs made the world remember/see how great Tracy Champman is. I do like his voice and think it works well with the song. Having Tracy perform with him and letting her lead was class.
Nice to be reminded….here….that David has a beautiful, touching voice., and that he is more than a gay item on Queerty. There is a reason he is still around, and I truly hope he gets a hit one of these days. Beautiful voice. (I was watching American Idol way back when, and even voted for him then. Ancient history now, I suppose…)
By LZ Granderson
Syndicated columnist Los Angeles Times
Sunday’s duet between Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs at the Grammys brought us one of those rare moments in today’s America in which appreciation was louder than criticism. From the illuminating joy on her face to the admiration on his, we were once again reminded of music’s undeniable ability to turn strangers generations apart into sisters and brothers … if only for a song.
It has been 35 years since Chapman first performed “Fast Car” at the awards show. We lived in a very different world then. For context, neither Taylor Swift nor Travis Kelce was alive when it happened. Neither was Combs.
Here’s another way to measure how long ago 1989 was: Among the other performers that year were Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross and Melissa Etheridge — all queer, none openly so at that time. George Michael, who won album of the year for “Faith” that year, was outed almost 10 years later.
And in the midst of all that 1980s glamour stood an unassuming newcomer, a storyteller with dark skin, little to no makeup, short locs and a guitar. Chapman never announced her sexuality — her onetime lover, the author Alice Walker, did that for her in 2006 — but she never pretended to be anything other than the queer Black woman she was.
That’s not intended to throw shade at the closeted members of the LGBTQ+ community who were part of that night’s festivities (it’s not like I was out back then either). But in order to properly give Chapman her flowers for Sunday’s performance, we must acknowledge the environment in which her story began.
The queer love in Walker’s “The Color Purple” was controversial when the novel was published in 1982. It was controversial when the film by the same name was released in 1985, and sadly, the 2023 musical was also met with pushback because of the love between Black women on the screen. And Chapman, who turns 60 next month, has been her authentic self, performing onstage through it all.
The only noticeable difference throughout those years has been the color of her hair, which glistened Sunday underneath the Crypto.com Arena’s lights. The jet-black hair of yesteryear now adorned with the gray she has earned.
What does it mean to age gracefully?
I’ve been trying to answer that question ever since my only child graduated from high school nearly a decade ago. On that Grammys stage, Chapman provided us all an answer. It’s not about accepting getting older; it’s about embracing age with gratitude. That’s what we witnessed in her smile during the opening moments of her performance with Combs — gratitude.
Gray hair is often characterized as an intruder that must be removed while wrinkles are considered deformities in need of repair. Especially in the entertainment industry. Especially in L.A. The urge to dye our hair in an attempt to ward off Father Time is a temptation that can be difficult to resist. For years I gave in, not wanting to look my age even though I’ve also been trying to live a long and healthy life — talk about a contradiction.
And there stood Chapman, just as authentic today as she was 35 years ago when we first heard her name and listened to that song. Whitney, Luther and George are no longer with us. Melissa survived cancer. All reminders that life is fragile. Life is short. Too short to spend pursuing what we once were or what others think we should be. Too short to sacrifice who we really are or becoming what we are meant to be.
Because Chapman was her authentic self — folk, Black, queer — she connected with a straight white country artist from a small town in North Carolina. And together they created the most talked-about moment of their industry’s biggest night. They did it not by avoiding what made them different but embracing it. All of it.
LZ Granderson is an opinion columnist for The Los Angeles Times.
Reaching into the LA Times and LZ for “applause” is about right for abfab. Fourty years late is about right for a Judge Judy fan to realize the harsh truth speaking to poverty and helplessness. Glad you finally came around. How long will it take to realize the madness of Palestinian genocide… 2064 and a beautiful song?
Did Ronbo forget to take his pills? Most of that makes little sense.
Going from a beautiful opinion piece on “Fast Car” to the Hamas debacle makes no sense, unless, once again, the failure to take one’s meds.
Supporting the Hamas terrorists – the worst thing that ever happened to the Palestinians (I’m sure you love the Houthis and every other terror group supported by Iran and the gay-hating-killing, fatwah Iranian mullahs – because you hate Jews and that’s all that matters) your moral code is broken. Also, not understanding what genocide means, is another failure. Ironically, the only side that has actually purposefully supported genocide is Hamas. Unfortunate fact.
What I always think is so telling is that these people supporting Palestine never every mention Hamas. They have to pretend Hamas and its 20-year terror campaign against any and every Jew didn’t start this war don’t exist. It is an indefensible position if your look at all the facts. If you really care about innocent Palestinians caught in the crossfire, demand Hamas surrender. They can’t win, they knew that from the start. They are getting exactly what they wanted and are the only people that actually do not care about people dying.
Hate on me all you want; but, that does not change the fact that abfab stated his/her love for nasty, hateful Judge Judy right here at Queerty. Lumpy, you of all people, surely KNOW the prejudice of cumulative punishment and attacks – you are gay, right?
All Palestinians are not Hamas or terrorists. Most of those kids were not even born when those elections happened! There is no right to self defense while you occuy their land, invade and burn their homes and bomb 27,000 Palestinians to rubble! The far-right Israeli who kill innocent women and children are terrorists just as are Hamas who kill innocent Israeli.
If your conscious can’t see or accept Palestinian humanity, you are nothing more than a genocidal hypocrite. Investigate the Jews, like me, who object to the extremist killing on BOTH sides. If you see two-year-olds as terrorists, you are an insane sociopath. Have you not figured out that I expect more from MY people – gays, jews and people who have been “othered”? Think instead of just following orders from the powerful. Just going along with what you are told is how these holocausts come to being.
Read the news Lumpy… the International Court of Justice condemned the Hamas attack as a “war atrocity” and labeled the indiscriminate killing of 27,500+ Palestinians as “Genocide”. Read ALL the news, not just what you want to hear. Two “wrongs” don’t make a “right”.
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Louis
Is David an investor in Queerty?
Seriously, two articles two days in a row, neither of which needed to be written.
He covered a song? Wow.
dbmcvey
He’s a gay singer. That’s what this site is about.
abfab
Louis, you may not know this but you too are an investor in Queerty.
carllonghorn
Hey, you go on American Idol, do well, come out after a confusing upbringing in the Mormon church, and sing a “duet” to one of the hottest songs right now and sound good doing it, and yeah, they’ll do article for you, too. Bitter much?
dbmcvey
I’m glad this song is being given its due. It’s a great song.
canadiankid
How am I just discovering Tracy Chapman is a woman and this song is sung by a woman… I’ve never deep-dived her clearly but every time I listen to this song I thought it was a man. Maybe it’s the gay in me wanting to think a man is singing? Idk but I’m disappointed in myself lol
abfab
If not already, play the Joan Armatrading albums, starting with her first one. The vocals, the guitar. Everything about Joan’s writing and singing will take you places. She is one of the greatest Lesbians in the music industry. As is Tracey Chapman. We were completely (I don’t have a word for it) when we watched her on Sunday night.
Many have compared the two singer/songwriters. All praising both. You may hear the similarities. Of course Joan is from St Kittsand then mostly London.and she has a fabulous accent. Tracey is a good old american woman. Both shy. Enjoy!
Much to know about Tracey. And this is telling. To all those white, southern bigots. End your denials.
Excerpt from today’s NYT
Last year, as Combs’s version of “Fast Car” became a surprise hit, the tune won song of the year at the Country Music Association Awards, making Chapman the first Black songwriter to win that prize. (She did not appear to accept it.)
carllonghorn
Here’s another one from that time to try – the Indigo Girls. Wonderful!
dbmcvey
I don’t know how you’re just discovering that. Tracy Chapman is an amazing singer songwriter. You would do well to look up her other music as well.
LumpyPillows
Wow, yes, Joan Armatrading, the Indigo Girls and Tracy Chapman – what great music.
dmarcus
I’m so glad Tracy Chapman is getting her flowers again after so many years. She’s a fav of mine. I’m not a fan of Luke Combs cover of her song, I feel like he’s missing the weakness and desperation of the tone. He sang it as a generic country night mic. I like David’s and Sam Smith covers more.
LumpyPillows
What I love is how Luke Combs made the world remember/see how great Tracy Champman is. I do like his voice and think it works well with the song. Having Tracy perform with him and letting her lead was class.
Berkshires Jim
Nice to be reminded….here….that David has a beautiful, touching voice., and that he is more than a gay item on Queerty. There is a reason he is still around, and I truly hope he gets a hit one of these days. Beautiful voice. (I was watching American Idol way back when, and even voted for him then. Ancient history now, I suppose…)
abfab
Applause, applause!
By LZ Granderson
Syndicated columnist Los Angeles Times
Sunday’s duet between Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs at the Grammys brought us one of those rare moments in today’s America in which appreciation was louder than criticism. From the illuminating joy on her face to the admiration on his, we were once again reminded of music’s undeniable ability to turn strangers generations apart into sisters and brothers … if only for a song.
It has been 35 years since Chapman first performed “Fast Car” at the awards show. We lived in a very different world then. For context, neither Taylor Swift nor Travis Kelce was alive when it happened. Neither was Combs.
Here’s another way to measure how long ago 1989 was: Among the other performers that year were Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross and Melissa Etheridge — all queer, none openly so at that time. George Michael, who won album of the year for “Faith” that year, was outed almost 10 years later.
And in the midst of all that 1980s glamour stood an unassuming newcomer, a storyteller with dark skin, little to no makeup, short locs and a guitar. Chapman never announced her sexuality — her onetime lover, the author Alice Walker, did that for her in 2006 — but she never pretended to be anything other than the queer Black woman she was.
That’s not intended to throw shade at the closeted members of the LGBTQ+ community who were part of that night’s festivities (it’s not like I was out back then either). But in order to properly give Chapman her flowers for Sunday’s performance, we must acknowledge the environment in which her story began.
The queer love in Walker’s “The Color Purple” was controversial when the novel was published in 1982. It was controversial when the film by the same name was released in 1985, and sadly, the 2023 musical was also met with pushback because of the love between Black women on the screen. And Chapman, who turns 60 next month, has been her authentic self, performing onstage through it all.
The only noticeable difference throughout those years has been the color of her hair, which glistened Sunday underneath the Crypto.com Arena’s lights. The jet-black hair of yesteryear now adorned with the gray she has earned.
What does it mean to age gracefully?
I’ve been trying to answer that question ever since my only child graduated from high school nearly a decade ago. On that Grammys stage, Chapman provided us all an answer. It’s not about accepting getting older; it’s about embracing age with gratitude. That’s what we witnessed in her smile during the opening moments of her performance with Combs — gratitude.
Gray hair is often characterized as an intruder that must be removed while wrinkles are considered deformities in need of repair. Especially in the entertainment industry. Especially in L.A. The urge to dye our hair in an attempt to ward off Father Time is a temptation that can be difficult to resist. For years I gave in, not wanting to look my age even though I’ve also been trying to live a long and healthy life — talk about a contradiction.
And there stood Chapman, just as authentic today as she was 35 years ago when we first heard her name and listened to that song. Whitney, Luther and George are no longer with us. Melissa survived cancer. All reminders that life is fragile. Life is short. Too short to spend pursuing what we once were or what others think we should be. Too short to sacrifice who we really are or becoming what we are meant to be.
Because Chapman was her authentic self — folk, Black, queer — she connected with a straight white country artist from a small town in North Carolina. And together they created the most talked-about moment of their industry’s biggest night. They did it not by avoiding what made them different but embracing it. All of it.
LZ Granderson is an opinion columnist for The Los Angeles Times.
Ronbo
Reaching into the LA Times and LZ for “applause” is about right for abfab. Fourty years late is about right for a Judge Judy fan to realize the harsh truth speaking to poverty and helplessness. Glad you finally came around. How long will it take to realize the madness of Palestinian genocide… 2064 and a beautiful song?
abfab
You’re ugly.
LumpyPillows
Did Ronbo forget to take his pills? Most of that makes little sense.
Going from a beautiful opinion piece on “Fast Car” to the Hamas debacle makes no sense, unless, once again, the failure to take one’s meds.
Supporting the Hamas terrorists – the worst thing that ever happened to the Palestinians (I’m sure you love the Houthis and every other terror group supported by Iran and the gay-hating-killing, fatwah Iranian mullahs – because you hate Jews and that’s all that matters) your moral code is broken. Also, not understanding what genocide means, is another failure. Ironically, the only side that has actually purposefully supported genocide is Hamas. Unfortunate fact.
What I always think is so telling is that these people supporting Palestine never every mention Hamas. They have to pretend Hamas and its 20-year terror campaign against any and every Jew didn’t start this war don’t exist. It is an indefensible position if your look at all the facts. If you really care about innocent Palestinians caught in the crossfire, demand Hamas surrender. They can’t win, they knew that from the start. They are getting exactly what they wanted and are the only people that actually do not care about people dying.
Ronbo
Hate on me all you want; but, that does not change the fact that abfab stated his/her love for nasty, hateful Judge Judy right here at Queerty. Lumpy, you of all people, surely KNOW the prejudice of cumulative punishment and attacks – you are gay, right?
All Palestinians are not Hamas or terrorists. Most of those kids were not even born when those elections happened! There is no right to self defense while you occuy their land, invade and burn their homes and bomb 27,000 Palestinians to rubble! The far-right Israeli who kill innocent women and children are terrorists just as are Hamas who kill innocent Israeli.
If your conscious can’t see or accept Palestinian humanity, you are nothing more than a genocidal hypocrite. Investigate the Jews, like me, who object to the extremist killing on BOTH sides. If you see two-year-olds as terrorists, you are an insane sociopath. Have you not figured out that I expect more from MY people – gays, jews and people who have been “othered”? Think instead of just following orders from the powerful. Just going along with what you are told is how these holocausts come to being.
Ronbo
Read the news Lumpy… the International Court of Justice condemned the Hamas attack as a “war atrocity” and labeled the indiscriminate killing of 27,500+ Palestinians as “Genocide”. Read ALL the news, not just what you want to hear. Two “wrongs” don’t make a “right”.
strix1
Love “Fast Car!” It was so wonderful to see Tracy perform at the Grammy’s with Luke Combs especially to hear the crowd reaction!