Tracy Chapman’s ‘Fast Car’ Hits No. 1 on iTunes After Duet With Luke Combs at 2024 Grammys

In less than 24 hours, the 1988 hit rose to the top of the charts Tracy Chapman’s appearance at the 66th annual Grammy Awards helped take “Fast Car” to the top of the charts

Published Time: 06.02.2024 - 07:31:05 Modified Time: 06.02.2024 - 07:31:05

In less than 24 hours, the 1988 hit rose to the top of the charts

Tracy Chapman’s appearance at the 66th annual Grammy Awards helped take “Fast Car” to the top of the charts.

After the singer-songwriter, 59, took the stage with Luke Combs on Sunday night, her 1988 hit has risen to No. 1 on iTunes in less than 24 hours. The performance came after Combs, 33, explained that the song brought back fond childhood memories.

He said the song was his "favorite song before I even knew what a favorite song was."

The duo sang a rendition of “Fast Car” while playing guitar in a rare appearance from Chapman, who last performed in 2020 and hasn’t toured since 2009. Chapman performed "Fast Car" solo at the 31st annual Grammy Awards in February 1989.

Combs released a cover of the track in April 2023 that quickly became a fan-favorite, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the country music charts. His recording was nominated for best country solo performance of the song at Sunday night’s ceremony. "Fast Car" also won single of the year and song of the year at the 2023 Country Music Association Awards.

In December, Combs told PEOPLE that “Fast Car” reminded him of his father, Chester Combs.

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#34;When I was 5 years old, my dad and I would be in his truck, and he would always play music for me. He had a Tracy Chapman cassette tape, and 'Fast Car' is one of the first songs I remember," the North Carolina native told PEOPLE. "I’ve always been a huge fan of it and think of my dad and our time together when I hear it."

"I always thought it was one of the best songs of all time, so I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised," said Combs. "But there’s nothing like Tracy’s version, so I thought it would just be a nice complement to the original but never really expected mine to take off quite the way it did."

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In July, Chapman acknowledged the song’s resurgence in popularity, saying she was happy to see that people are still enjoying it over 30 years later.

"I never expected to find myself on the country charts, but I’m honored to be there,” she told Billboard at the time. "I’m happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced 'Fast Car.'"