Tracy Chapman in 2009. Photo by Hans Hillewaert via Wikimedia Commons.
The 2023 Country Music Awards took place last night (November 8), and the winner of one of the night's top prizes was none other than Tracy Chapman, who took home Song of the Year for her 1988 hit "Fast Car." A cover of the song by country music artist Luke Combs was released in April 2023 and went on to become one of the year's biggest songs.
Chapman herself was not present at the ceremony, though the award's presenter Sarah Evans did have a statement from Chapman. “I’m sorry I couldn’t join you all tonight. It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of its debut. Wow. Thank you to the CMAs and a special thanks to Luke [Combs] and to all of the fans of ‘Fast Car.’”
Since the release of Combs' "Fast Car" cover, Chapman has spoken favorable about the new version of the song and its success. She said she was "honored" after the cover went to No.1 on the Billboard Country Chart this year. Combs, who had performed the song live for six years prior to its official release, shared his appreciation for Chapman's original in a message to Billboard. "The success of my cover is unreal and I think it’s so cool that Tracy is getting recognized and has reached new milestones." After Chapman won the Song of the Year award, Combs wrote on Instagram, "Thank you Tracy Chapman for writing one of the best songs of all time."
