Fast Car 2024

[sonia]

Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs performing her song "Fast Car" at the Grammys. Go listen and watch!

I don't know the backstory, just happened across a mastodon toot, if you heard Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" on the radio when it came out (raises hand), go get your colonoscopy and other medical checks (grimaces). Gen X represent. Then ran across this video and unexpectedly dissolved in tears. Tracy Chapman is so beautiful and present with her silver hair, singing and playing with consummate skill and a glowing smile, sharing the song with Luke Combs who is radiating happiness. The same song, just right to match the track in my head, but fresh, newly born.

The song is about the hopes and determination of youth, and time passing, and living with how things turn out. Go listen and watch. Especially if you heard the song on the radio when it came out.

ETA: kate_nepveu posted more backstory and analysis, including a gift link to the NY Times article.

Comments

[thistleingrey]

I had to look up Combs--fitting that he was born after the song's original release. :) What a gift Chapman's song and performances have been, still are.

[sonia]

Dang, good point that he was born after the song's release! I just looked him up too, and his latest album is "Getting Old." Yes, good to be reminded of Tracy Chapman's gifts, and to see her alive and (apparently) well, when we've lost so many people who were creating gifts back then.

[julian]

I hadn't known about the revival, myself, so, backstory: New York Times article.

Basically, Combs covered it (and made an album with it) because he wanted current-day folks to know it, too. He's a Country singer, but it works well, and he has Succeeded in his Quest, for sure. And I freakin' love the Grammy performance. He's so happy, and she's so good.

[sonia]

Thanks for the backstory. Massively succeeded!

[castiron]

This is one of those songs where I didn't know it from the title, but the minute I started playing that I was right back in my college dorm room hearing it.

[sonia]

Yes, exactly!

[julian]

Also, Joni Mitchell singing Both Sides Now at the Grammys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awyl_RLlNl8

(She had an aneurysm about 10 years ago, and has been slowly coming back, with the help of friends.)

[sonia]

Thanks for the pointer! That one had been blocked, but I found it on the Grammy site: https://www.grammy.com/videos/joni-mitchell-both-sides-now-2024-grammys-performance-66th-annual-grammy-awards

That’s a whole different kind of gut punch. Good for her for showing up and singing from the far side of an aneurysm.