Country singer Luke Combs is still beaming after fulfilling his longtime dream of sharing the stage with his music idol Tracy Chapman.
Last weekend at the 66th Grammy Awards ceremony, the two artists from different music genres performed Chapman's iconic 1988 hit song "Fast Car," which Combs covered in his 2023 album, Gettin' Old.
Combs took a moment to reflect on his "unreal Grammy week" with gratitude on his socials and expressed appreciation for his team and wife Nicole Hocking for supporting him.
He then dedicated most of the post to thanking Chapman, and acknowledged that his duet performance with her was a "defining moment" of his career.
Wrote Combs:
“When it comes to the performance it’s still hard to process how amazing it really was to be up there on that stage."
"No doubt a defining moment of my career."
The 33-year-old expressed gratitude for the inspiring songwriter and her contribution to music throughout her career.
"Tracy, I want to send my sincerest thanks to you for allowing me to be a part of your moment."
"Thank you for the impact you have had on my musical journey, and the musical journeys of countless other singers, songwriters, musicians, and fans alike."
The post featured a carousel of photos showing various highlights from the Grammys, beginning with a backstage photo of Combs with Chapman.
He concluded the post by telling Chapman:
"I hope you felt how much you mean to the world that night."
"We were all in awe of you up there and I was just the guy lucky enough to have the best seat in the house."
Fans also celebrated the moving performance that bridged generations.
Music fans found hope for humanity after watching him sing with the music legend.
@lukecombs \u2026and now I\u2019m in tears AGAIN!! Your duet with Tracy Chapman was everything and touched on what good music and artistry should do\u2026move you, stir emotions, recall a memory and make you believe just one more time. It did all that! Thank you \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd\u2764\ufe0f\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udc4f\ud83c\udffd— (@)
"Fast Car" is an acoustic folk rock song written from the perspective of a young woman dreaming of escaping the cycle of poverty.
It was released on April 6, 1988, as part of Chapman's self-titled debut studio album and won the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
In his version of "Fast Car," Combs kept the integrity of Chapman's original lyrics by not switching the gender of the female narrator of the song, including the line, "I work in the market as a checkout girl."
Combs' manager Chris Kappy explained to Billboard magazine that Chapman was one of Combs' favorite artists and that his goal in covering the song was to never change it and "to honor the perfection that it is."
Kappy added that "changing the gender" in the song "never crossed his mind."
Combs told fans at a recent concert that he would listen to "Fast Car" and Chapman's entire album "while driving around with his father in a beat-up 1988 Ford F-150."
"That song meant a lot to me since then—for my whole life," he shared with concertgoers, adding:
"I always think about my dad when it comes on and us spending time together.”
Last year, Combs' cover of the song became a number-one single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, and it made Chapman the first Black woman to be awarded the Country Music Association Award for Song of the Year.
The original artist spoke highly of Combs' cover and told Billboard:
"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.'"
You can listen to Combs talking about covering what he considered to be one of "the best songs for a few generations" in the clip below.
THE 66TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS | Story of the Year - Luke Combsyoutu.be
He said recording the song was a "full circle moment" for him, adding:
"Just to be associated with her in any way is super humbling for me."
