Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman will team up to perform “Fast Car” during Sunday’s (Feb. 4) Grammy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, Billboard confirms. Variety was first to report the news.
In 1988, Chapman’s version of “Fast Car” reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, but also became an enduring pop classic over the ensuing decades. Last year, Combs reached No. 2 on the same chart with his version of “Fast Car,” which also spent four weeks atop the Hot Country Songs chart.
In July, Chapman offered to Billboard a reaction to Combs’ success with a version of “Fast Car,” saying, “I never expected to find myself on the country charts, but I’m honored to be there. I’m happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced ‘Fast Car.’”
Chapman performed “Fast Car” as the closing performance during the Grammys telecast more than three decades ago, on Feb. 22, 1989. That evening, Chapman garnered three Grammy wins: best new artist, best female pop vocal performance for “Fast Car” and best contemporary recording for her eponymous debut project.
This year, Combs is nominated for best country solo performance for his version of Chapman’s “Fast Car.” He was previously announced as a performer on this year’s Grammys telecast, as part of the second group of performances revealed for this year’s show, though at the time, the Recording Academy had not mentioned the possibility of a collaboration performance. However, a live collaboration of the song has seemed like an inevitability, since Combs’ version of the song soared in popularity over the summer.
During the CMA Awards in November, “Fast Car” earned both single and song of the year, with the song of the year win making Chapman the first Black songwriter to take home that CMA accolade.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t join you all tonight,” Chapman said via a statement that was read from the stage during the CMA Awards. “It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of its debut. Thank you to the CMAs and a special thanks to Luke and all of the fans of ‘Fast Car.’”
