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Fast Car

"Fast Car" is a song by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, released in 1988 as the lead single from her self-titled debut album.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"Fast Car" is a song by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, released in 1988 as the lead single from her self-titled debut album. It became an international hit and is widely regarded as one of Chapman’s signature songs.

Background

"Fast Car" was written and recorded by Tracy Chapman and issued in 1988 as the first single from her debut album. Its success helped introduce Chapman to a broad international audience.

Chart performance

The song became a major commercial success, reaching the top ten in the United States and the United Kingdom. It also reached No. 1 in Canada, making it especially notable for Canadian listeners.

Awards and recognition

"Fast Car" earned three Grammy nominations in 1989 and won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. It also received an MTV Video Music Award nomination for Best Female Video.

Later covers

The song saw renewed attention through later versions, including a 2023 cover by Luke Combs. That version became a major country crossover hit and won Chapman broader recognition in the country music sphere.

Key facts

  • Released as the lead single from Tracy Chapman's debut album in 1988.
  • Reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 5 in the UK, and No. 1 in Canada.
  • Won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 31st Grammy Awards.
  • Luke Combs' 2023 cover became a major crossover hit.
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Canadian context

"Fast Car" reached No. 1 on the Canadian RPM Top Singles chart, making it a notable hit in Canada.[1][2]

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote "Fast Car"?
Tracy Chapman wrote "Fast Car" and first recorded it for her 1988 debut album.
When was "Fast Car" released?
It was released on April 6, 1988, as the lead single from Chapman’s debut album.
How did "Fast Car" perform on the charts?
It reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 5 in the UK, and No. 1 in Canada.
Did "Fast Car" win a Grammy?
Yes. It won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 31st Grammy Awards in 1989.
Was there a popular cover version of "Fast Car"?
Yes. Luke Combs released a 2023 cover that became a major U.S. hit and reached No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart.

References

  1. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIOAlaACuv4
    Supports: Release context, artist, chart performance, and general song facts from the video description and associated metadata.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_Car
    Supports: Release date, album, chart positions, Grammy nominations and win, and later cover versions.
  3. Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/track/2M9ro2krNb7nr7HSprkEgo
    Supports: Track length and recording metadata for Tracy Chapman’s "Fast Car".