Tracy Chapman’s classic song “Fast Car” experienced a resurgence 36 years after its original release, thanks to a cover by country music star Luke Combs. Combs covered the track for his album, leading to a renewed interest in Chapman’s original version. This resurgence earned Chapman a Country Music Association (CMA) Award, making her the only Black songwriter to win the Song of the Year prize at the CMAs.

Combs shared his connection to the song, stating, “I just recorded it because I love this song so much; it’s meant so much to me throughout my entire life. It’s the first favorite song I had from the time I was 4 years old.” While Chapman didn’t attend the CMAs, she made a rare appearance at the Grammys on February 5, performing “Fast Car” alongside Combs. The performance led to a significant increase in sales, with a reported surge of 38,400%, and the song’s streams reached 949,000 the day after the Grammys.

Tracy Chapman’s impact was notable not only for the renewed success of “Fast Car” but also for her achievement as the only Black songwriter to win a CMA Award in the Song of the Year category. The recognition came decades after the song’s initial release, highlighting the enduring appeal of Chapman’s music.