In February 2024, Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman delivered a performance that stopped time. Their duet of Chapman’s iconic Fast Car didn’t just move the audience in the room — it resonated around the world.
Luke’s version of the song, which appeared on his 2023 album Gettin’ Old, had already taken on a life of its own. What began organically quickly turned into a monster hit, racing up the country charts so fast that his label eventually pushed it to Top 40 pop and Hot Adult Contemporary radio. The song went on to hit No. 1 on the U.S. Country Airplay chart and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 across all genres.
Originally released in 1988, “Fast Car” was the lead single from Chapman’s self-titled debut album. At the 31st Grammy Awards in 1989, she won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the song, Best Contemporary Folk Album for Tracy Chapman, and Best New Artist — cementing her place in music history.
That made the 2024 performance even more extraordinary. Chapman hadn’t sung live in nearly a decade, and Luke admitted he never truly believed the collaboration would happen.
When his team first floated the idea, Luke recalled thinking it was a long shot. The Grammys were interested, but Chapman rarely makes public appearances. Of course, he said yes immediately — even while assuming it wouldn’t come together.
During a later appearance on The Dale Jr. Download, Dale Earnhardt Jr. asked Luke what the moment meant to him. Luke didn’t hesitate, calling it one of the very top moments of his career.
He described the performance as one of the purest musical experiences he’s ever had — and likely ever will. He openly admitted to “fangirling,” asking Chapman about the making of the song and her creative process, conversations he said artists rarely get to have with their heroes. According to Luke, they connected immediately during that first call, and a few weeks later, she agreed.
They flew to Los Angeles ahead of the show and spent days rehearsing, determined to get everything exactly right.
The reaction afterward was overwhelming. Even years later, the performance still comes to mind whenever Grammy season rolls around. The mutual respect between the two artists was unmistakable — Chapman visibly beaming throughout the performance, Luke clearly in awe beside her. It felt genuine, effortless, and deeply human.
Not long after, Luke reflected on the moment publicly, calling it a defining point in his career and giving Chapman the credit she deserved. He thanked her for allowing him to share the stage, acknowledging the enormous influence she’s had on his own musical journey — and on countless others.
He said he hoped she could feel how much she meant to everyone watching, adding that he was simply lucky enough to have “the best seat in the house.”
Chapman responded with characteristic grace, thanking Luke in return.
The kindest words from @lukecombs : « What an unreal Grammy week to say the least. There were so many laughs, tears, hugs, and cheers that it almost doesn’t seem real (…) When it comes to the performance it’s still hard to process how amazing it really was to be up there on that… pic.twitter.com/TqaKOm7neG
— Tracy Chapman (@tchapmanonline) February 10, 2024
The Aftermath
While the pairing may have seemed unexpected on paper, together they created something unforgettable. Luke’s cover and Chapman’s return to the spotlight introduced “Fast Car” to an entirely new generation of listeners. Following their performance, Chapman’s original version shot to the top of the U.S. iTunes chart, while Luke’s continued dominating radio.
The impact carried into awards season. At the 2023 CMA Awards, “Fast Car” earned multiple nominations. When it won Song of the Year, Chapman became the first Black songwriter to receive that honor in the ceremony’s 57-year history. Luke also took home Single of the Year for his version.
Perhaps the most meaningful result was how listeners rediscovered Chapman’s catalog. Her original recording climbed back to No. 1 on iTunes, with sales reportedly increasing by more than 38,000% after the Grammy performance — a staggering and well-earned resurgence for a songwriter behind one of the greatest songs ever written.
Remarkably, Chapman sounded exactly as she did in 1988. The connection between the two artists felt rare and real — understated in production, but overwhelming in emotional weight.
With the Grammys approaching again this Sunday, it’s impossible not to reflect on that night. Two years later, the performance remains timeless — and there’s no doubt it will continue to be remembered for decades.
This year’s Grammys will look a little different. Country music is largely absent from the major all-genre categories, though a new Best Traditional Country Album award has been introduced with a strong lineup of nominees.
The ceremony airs this Sunday, February 1, live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on CBS and streams on Paramount+, with Trevor Noah returning as host.
But no matter who performs or what songs are chosen in the future, there was something singular about that moment in 2024. It was quiet, powerful, and deeply human — proof that sometimes the simplest performances carry the most weight.
Timeless. Transcendent. Sublime.
And yes — it still lives rent-free in my head.