Luke Combs’ Cover of Tracy Chapman’s ‘Fast Car’ Sparks Racism Discourse

Luke Combs‘ cowl of Tracy Chapman‘s hit, “Fast Car,” has been dominating the nation charts — however amid its success … some have questioned if racism is afoot within the style.

Here’s the deal … assume items have been revealed of late that delve into this subject — together with one from WaPo, which actually kick-started this dialog — they usually’re all posing the identical query … why did not TC resonate with the identical viewers Luke has???

The reply that lots of these articles appear to land on — after interviewing topics, and so on. — is that, even as we speak, it is exhausting for Black artists to interrupt by means of in nation. And they’re utilizing the instance of Luke thrusting new life into “Fast Car” as their exhibit A for that argument.

Of course, in reaching this conclusion … the phrase “racism” is getting thrown round lots.

In reality, the writer of the WaPo article put it fairly succinctly in selling her work — writing, “As Luke Combs’s hit cover of Tracy Chapman’s ‘Fast Car’ dominates the country charts, it’s bringing up some complicated emotions in fans & singers who know that Chapman, as a queer Black woman, would have an almost zero chance at that achievement herself.”

Unfortunately for her, it would not sound just like the Internet’s accepting her idea at face worth … and pushing again on the implication that “Fast Car” was some obscure tune that is solely now getting mainstream recognition — whereas additionally trolling WaPo as reaching for outrage.

You can see how of us are reacting for your self, however as many of them are mentioning … “Fast Car” was a monster hit when it was launched in ’88, and helped Tracy escape into music, to not point out accolades that adopted after, together with Grammys and different awards.

Even commercially, the tune killed … hovering on a quantity of charts world wide, and peaking at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 listing on the time. Bottom line … it looks as if persons are scoffing on the notion that Tracy’s lacking out/getting snubbed amid Luke’s use of it.

And as others are additionally clarifying … “Fast Car” was not initially launched as nation tune — and that, maybe, the rationale it is booming within the nation scene proper now could be as a result of an enormous nation star did their very own rendition with it. That’s often known as … a crossover cowl.

We’re additionally simply now attending to an enormous half of this … particularly, the truth that Tracy has gone on report to applaud Luke for his cowl — and extra importantly, the big quantity of royalties this has generated for her … seeing how she’s the unique songwriter right here.

Tracy stated, “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.'” In different phrases … she appears to be greater than effective with this.