After Luke Combs scored a No. 1 hit with a cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car,” and made country music history in the process, the Grand Ole Opry member has released a live version of the song. The new version was recorded during Combs’ sold-out show at Minneapolis’ US Bank Stadium earlier this spring, as part of his global World Tour,.
By his own admission, Combs had no idea that “Fast Car,” from his Gettin’ Old album, would resonate so deeply with his fans.
‘Fast Car’ has surprised me more than you can imagine,” Combs told Billboard. “Tracy Chapman wrote this perfect song that I first heard with my dad and it has stayed with me since. I have played it in my live show now for six-plus years and everyone — I mean everyone — across all these stadiums relates to this song and sings along. That’s the gift of a supernatural songwriter.”
“Fast Car” also marked the first time a solo Black female artist penned a song that reached No. 1 on the country charts, an accomplishment that meant as much to Combs for Chapman as it did for himself, and myabe more.
“The success of my cover is unreal and I think it’s so cool that Tracy is getting recognized and has reached new milestones,” Combs said. “I love that she is out there feeling all the love and that she gave me a shout-out! Thank you, Tracy!”
The live version of “Fast Car” comes as Combs is currently halfway around the world, on his global World Tour. The North Carolina native is currently performing several shows in New Zealand and Australia, although he admits he left without knowing what he and his wife, Nicole, would name their second child.
“It’s actually kind of getting down to the wire here because I’m going to tour in Australia here in about out a week,” Combs revealed on Audacy‘s Check In. “Going to be cutting it close with the due date on getting home, so we have to pick out a name in the next couple of days, in case the baby were to come while I’m gone.”
“We’re leaning more towards a family name,” he added, “but we’re open to anything too.”
No one is more shocked than Combs that he is even headlining such a massive tour, which has already exceeded the biggest dreams he had for himself.
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!
Auckland and Brisbane, thank you for having us!!
🎥: @zackmassey pic.twitter.com/5qQjvpq1Sf
— Luke Combs 🎤 (@lukecombs) August 13, 2023
“This stadium tour has been insane, bigger and better than I could have ever imagined. and just absolutely crazy,” Combs told his record label. “I never thought that we would be at this point, but here we are, and it’s been amazing. And hopefully, we continue to get to do shows on our level like this for a long time, and just enjoy it while it lasts.“
Following his series of dates Down Under, Combs will head to Europe before wrapping up on October 20 in London, England. Download the live version of “Fast Car” here. Find music and tour dates at LukeCombs.com.