“Fast Car” is a song by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman. It was released as the lead single from her self-titled debut album in 1988. The song became a hit, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earning Chapman critical acclaim and a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.
The lyrics of “Fast Car” tell the story of a young woman trying to escape poverty and create a better life for herself. The song speaks to themes of social inequality and the struggles of working-class people, and its message of hope and determination has made it a classic and enduring hit.
It is not clear whether the song “Fast Car” is autobiographical in nature. Tracy Chapman has not publicly commented on the inspiration behind the song, and it is possible that it is a fictional narrative or that it was inspired by people and events in her life. Many of Chapman’s songs explore social and political issues, and “Fast Car” is no exception. It is a powerful and evocative song that touches on themes of poverty, social mobility, and the human struggle to overcome adversity. Whether or not the song is based on Chapman’s own experiences, it speaks to the struggles and aspirations of many people and has resonated with listeners around the world.
“Fast Car” has been covered by a number of artists since its release in 1988. Some notable covers of the song include:
- Jonas Blue featuring Dakota: This version of “Fast Car” was released in 2015 and became a hit, reaching the top 10 in the UK and charting in several other countries.
- Tobtok featuring River: This cover of “Fast Car” was released in 2016 and also became a hit, reaching the top 10 in the UK and charting in several other countries.
- Lea Michele: The actress and singer included a cover of “Fast Car” on her album “Places” in 2017.
- Sam Smith: The British singer covered “Fast Car” for BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge in 2015.
- The Voice: “Fast Car” has been performed by several contestants on the singing competition show, including Lucy O’Byrne in 2015 and Brooke Simpson in 2017.
In addition to these covers, “Fast Car” has been covered by many other artists and has been featured in various TV shows, movies, and video games. It is a classic and enduring song that has inspired many musicians and continues to be popular today.
“Fast Car” has won several awards. The song was a major commercial success when it was released in 1988, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earning critical acclaim. It won a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance in 1989 and was also nominated for Song of the Year.
Tracy Chapman has also won numerous awards throughout her career. She has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards and has won four, including Best New Artist in 1989. In addition to her music, Chapman has also been recognized for her humanitarian work and has received several awards for her activism.
Chapman once told a story about how she wrote “Fast Car” while working as a nanny for a wealthy family in Beverly Hills. She said that the contrast between her life as a nanny and the lives of the children she cared for inspired the song.
The song’s message of hope and determination has made it an enduring classic and has resonated with listeners around the world. It has been covered by numerous artists and has been featured in various TV shows, movies, and video games. Despite the difficult themes it addresses, “Fast Car” remains a powerful and moving song that continues to inspire and move listeners.
The chords for “Fast Car” are:
Verse: D, G, A, D
Chorus: D, G, A, D, F#m, Bm, G, A
Bridge: D, A, G, D
Outro: D, G, A, D
These chords are played in a repeating pattern throughout the song, with slight variations in the arrangement and the use of strumming patterns to create the desired sound and feel.
Here is the full chord progression for the song:
Verse 1: D, G, A, D
Chorus: D, G, A, D, F#m, Bm, G, A
Verse 2: D, G, A, D
Chorus: D, G, A, D, F#m, Bm, G, A
Bridge: D, A, G, D
Outro: D, G, A, D
You can use these chords to play “Fast Car” on guitar or any other instrument that can play chords. It is a relatively simple song to play, with a repeating chord progression that is easy to follow. With some practice, you should be able to play the song confidently and expressively.