Song from 1988 goes through another wave of success; as a black woman, Tracy broke a record on the country chart, mostly white gender
The biggest hit of Tracy Chapman It is “Fast Car”. Released in 1988 as part of his eponymous debut album, the predominantly acoustic track mixes influences from folk, rock and, impressively, country — a style traditionally little explored by black artists in general.
The importance of the song is such that it experienced other “waves” of success over the years. In 2015, for example, it won a successful tropical house version by Jonas Blue and Dakota. Already in 2020, like other hits of the past, it experienced a resurgence on social networks and streaming platforms.
However, none of the “rescues” made the track return to the spotlight as intensely as it is now. Last March, the country singer Luke Combs released a re-recording of “Fast Car” as part of the album gettin’ old. The version was also promoted as a single. It has since become a huge hit on North American radio, peaking at #2 in the US (higher than the original) and #4 in Canada.
But it was in another hit ranking that the song and its author made history. The cover reached the top of the American country chart, Billboard Country Airplaymaking of Tracy Chapman the first black woman credited as the only songwriter to have a country hit at No. 1 on a country chart. As already highlighted, it is a musical style with little presence of black artists — which further enhances the achievement (by itself huge for occurring 35 years after the original release) and shows that there is no barrier to art.
It is worth mentioning that Chapman joined a small group of black female songwriters to have a number 1 song on the US country chart. The others had this conquest always in partnership with other people. Donna Summerfor example, helped create “Starting Over Again”hit by Dolly Parton which reached the top in 1980. Alice Randall was co-author in 1994 of “XXX’s and OOO’s (An American Girl)”in Trisha Yearwood. More than two decades later, in 2020, Ester Dean repeated the feat to his credit in “Champagne Night”in Lady A. One year later, Tayla Parx reached the top by collaborating with “Glad You Exist” in Dan+Shay. None of them, it is worth emphasizing, featured a song with a single composition, unlike Tracy Chapman.
Tracy Chapman speaks out
Faced with such a unique fact, it was necessary that Tracy Chapman would manifest. And so it was done.
In declaration to billboard, the artist showed surprise with such an achievement. However, she didn’t deny being happy with the success of her song 35 years after its original release.
“I never expected to find myself on the country charts, but I’m honored to be there. I’m happy for luke and your success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced ‘Fast Car’.”
Combs, still in 2020, had already spoken about the song when he decided to release an acoustic cover more informally. A Rolling Stone USAexalted how unique the composition is.
“The guitar phrasing in this song is super iconic. Everyone recognizes the song as soon as you start playing it. They take notice and soon sing along. It is like ‘Free Bird’ [Lynyrd Skynyrd] or ‘Jolene’ [Dolly Parton].”
Source: Rollingstone

Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.