Tracy Chapman made a triumphant return to the spotlight at the Grammys on Sunday, treating fans to a heartfelt rendition of her iconic 1988 hit 'Fast Car'.
The surprise performance alongside Luke Combs - who covered the song on his recent album and introduced a new generation of listeners to the beautiful lyrics - left a lasting impression and sparked a surge in sales for the original track. Watch Chapman and Combs' performance below:
The duet left viewers emotional, as the legendary singer-songwriter, 59, performed the song in front of a live audience for the first time in nine years.
In fact, just days after the Grammys, Chapman's version of the song peaked on the official iTunes charts in the US.
Now, as reported by CBS News, sales of Chapman's 'Fast Car' have since skyrocketed by an astonishing 38,000%, according to Billboard. This resurgence marked a remarkable comeback for the song - which has found its way back into the mainstream 35 years after its initial release.
The song was streamed 949,000 times in the US the day after the awards show - marking a staggering 241% increase in just one week. Sales of Chapman's track also soared by an astounding 38,400%.
Combs' rendition also experienced a surge in popularity, with his version being streamed 1.6 million times over the same period, representing a 37% increase. Sales of his cover saw a remarkable 3,900% rise.
While Chapman's original release of 'Fast Car' peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, Combs' live version topped Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. As of the latest rankings, it holds the 20th position on the Hot 100 chart.
Despite the song's initial success in 1988, its enduring popularity has been underscored by various covers over the years. In 2015, Tobtok and Jonas Blue released house covers of the song, with the latter's version even reaching No. 1 on the Top 40 Dance Singles chart in the US and No. 98 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Last July, Chapman opened up about her thoughts on Combs' cover in a statement to Billboard after the song reached Number 1 on Billboard’s Country Songwriters chart.
"I never expected to find myself on the country charts, but I’m honored to be there," she expressed. "I’m happy for Luke and his success and grateful that new fans have found and embraced 'Fast Car.'"
At the CMAs, Combs expressed his deep affection for 'Fast Car', describing it as his first favorite song from the tender age of just four years old.
"I always thought it was one of the best songs of all time, so I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised," Combs told PEOPLE, adding that "there’s nothing like Tracy’s version" so he decided to release his own rendition as "a nice complement to the original".
His heartfelt words have clearly been echoed by fans and highlighted the timeless appeal of Chapman's classic track.
Comb's version of her song peaked at Number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and in November 2023, the track won two Country Music Awards - for Single and Song of the Year - making Chapman the first Black woman to succeed in the latter category.
It is amazing to see Chapman finally getting the recognition and love she deserves.
