Sales of Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car' skyrocket after Grammys performance

Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car' sales surge after Grammys performance

Tracy Chapman made a surprise appearance at the Grammys, performing her 1988 hit 'Fast Car' for the first time in years. The performance had a significant impact on the song's sales, with the original version experiencing a spike of over 38,000% after the event, according to Billboard.

Chapman's 'Fast Car' gained renewed popularity 35 years after its initial release when Luke Combs included his own version of the song on his 2023 album 'Gettin' Old.' Combs' cover went on to win the song of the year award at the Country Music Association (CMA) awards, making Chapman the first Black songwriter to achieve this honor. She is the sole person credited as a songwriter for the hit song.

Streaming and sales surge after the Grammys

Following her Grammys performance, 'Fast Car' was streamed 949,000 times in the U.S. on February 5th, the day after the event. This marked a 241% increase in just one week. Sales of Chapman's song also experienced an astounding surge of 38,400%, reaching a total of 14,000 sales.

Luke Combs, who performed alongside Tracy Chapman at the Grammys, also saw a significant increase in streaming numbers. His version of 'Fast Car' was streamed 1.6 million times during the same period, representing a 37% increase. Sales of Combs' cover also soared by 3,900%, reaching over 6,000.

The legacy and lasting popularity of 'Fast Car'

When 'Fast Car' was originally released in 1988, it achieved considerable success, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Luke Combs' live version of the song, released as a single in August 2023, went on to reach the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. As of now, it sits at No. 20 on the Hot 100 chart.

According to Billboard's rules, for Chapman's version to re-enter the chart, it would need to perform exceptionally well and make it into the top half of the chart. However, as a catalog song, it is not impossible for it to achieve this feat.

Over the years, 'Fast Car' has gained widespread recognition and has been covered by various artists. Rolling Stone even included it in their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004, ranking it at No. 165. The song's enduring popularity is evident as it continues to resonate with audiences and inspire new renditions.