It's funny how you can hear a song when you're young and have no life experience, then hear the same song again years later, and it hits completely different.

How can someone write a song that breaks your heart and lifts your soul at the same time? Absolute legend.

Here after her 2024 Grammy performance anyone?

She rocked the Grammy’s.

This song is timeless ❤❤thank you Tracy !who’s listening in 2024

There are songs that cause you to dance, there are songs that cause you to sing out loud, and there are songs that keep you silent in the stillness of your soul . This song is the latter…truly touching

No fancy light, props dancing, costume..just pure singing..pure Gold.

I was married in 1976 and my wife and I used to go for drives in the evening almost every night. It was a time when we could share where we wanted to go in life and how we could get there. They were good times and I remember them well. When this song was released in 1988 I had been divorced for a year and was now a single parent of three. This song brought back those memories and on occasion caused me grief. All those dreams gone forever. But it also inspired me. I was a Father of three young children and they relied on me to help make their dreams come true. I would take my youngsters everywhere with me. I'd listen to what they wanted and how they thought they would get there while we were out just driving around. I had a motorcycle with a sidecar in those days and we were out often just roaming around. It introduced my kids to a whole new world of bikers and how they lived and what their values were. I used to take my brats to live music venues so they could appreciate real music performed by real people. We did a lot of things together and I always tried to open their eyes up to the real world. To this day every time I hear this song I am reminded of those three babes and how much they learned from our "Driving our fast car". I never achieved so many of those things I wanted in the early days due to circumstances but I did achieve one thing. My kids still remember those days and they know who their Dad is. That's good enough for me.

Tracy grew up in poverty, when she sings you can feel her reaching out to us from those childhood moments. God bless you!

35 yrs after the original release she takes the 2023 CMA Song of the Year award! BRAVO TRACY! X

This is crazy how she basically wrote a movie in lyrical form. 😮

Oh how I remember where I was when I first heard this song. I was in a terrible marriage, looking for a way out. I bought the CD (which btw has numerous great songs), and listened to this over and over again. It's an emotionally and melodically complicated song that clearly resonates with SO MANY different people. Thank you, Tracy Chapman, and I'm so glad I got to see you sing this live.

Growing up with an alcoholic father ,dropped out of school as an A student at his request, only to lose him to suicide 18 years after. This is my story as a grown man whose been recovering from addiction myself. Broken homes. Shattered lives , this song touches lives on so many levels.....

35 years ago this was a masterpiece of writing and singing. 35 years later? Still a complete masterpiece. Tracy sounds just as good. Man, she looks like she aged about 2 hours! Incredibly talented. Her blues guitaring is sensational. Beautiful musician.

There is not a sole on earth, nor will ever be, that can cover this song better than the original. No way no how.

The live version sounds exactly the same as the recorded version what a legend

This song still feels fresher than ever in 2023... Absolutely timeless 😊❤

The only difference between this version and the latest Comb’s release is Tracy’s sends shivers up your spine.

"You gotta make a decision. Leave tonight or live and die this way." I am listening on repeat...and I will make a decision. Thank you Tracy.

I was 14 when this song came out ...I'm 51 now , she still sounds bad ass !

One woman, one guitar and a million hearts touched. So many emotions captured so beautifully. The world needs more Tracy's instead of all this hate

One of the greatest songs ever written.

This is called real talent. Never heard of this song until the Grammys 2024, and now I cant stop listening to it. It came out before I was born. Thanks Tracy for sharing this treasure with us.

It just won the CMA Song of the Year award after 35 years.

Pure legend. One of the best songs ever written. Period.

This type of song makes an artist immortal.

Pure, raw talent. Just her amazing voice, and a guitar. No filters, no flashing lights, dancers or anything. Just Tracy Chapman singing so beautifully.

Songs like this can only be written by an artist not an entertainer

It’s so rare that a song can paint a picture that makes you feel as if you’ve watched a whole movie with these characters and are feeling the emotions right there with them

Credit to the audience for not singing along and allowing us to hear her beautiful voice.

Knocked me flat when this first came out in 1988, still does in 2024. Timeless, Haunting Classic 😊

This song speaks to the struggle of the average person especially marginalized members of our society. It's quite a composition. There's just something special about Tracy Chapman.

She certainly doesn’t need any studio recording tricks to make her voice better. Sounds every bit as amazing live as it does on the radio. Awesome song!

If you're watching this in 2021, I love you and you're not alone.

I absolutely love the fact that you could literally hear a pin drop during most of this song because the audience was dead silent just listening to her sing an absolute legendary piece of work. Love this song even more now than when I heard it when I was younger. Means soo much more now.

I’d pay big money to see this sung live. Absolute legend!

I am 58 years old. This is one of the most impactful songs I've ever heard, back in the day.

This song has undoubtedly withstood the test of time. It has perhaps reached a point where we can agree that it is immortal

35 years. That's how you know it's timeless

You can feel and hear all the pain in her voice. I love this song.

We don't look for old songs, we look for the memories they carry

Who's listening in December 2020? Tracy is just Amazing!

No cell phones. Everyone living in the moment. I miss those days.

I was born and raise in another country and not having a clue what she was singing about I'm now living in the States. I'm so fortunate to be able to understand what she sings about ¡Bravo!

Who's listening to Tracy Chapman in 2021, this song and performance was amazing🤩, like if u agree..

Just pure raw talent. This song is all about dreams. Without dreams we die. The only way to make it in life is to dream big and never let anyone tell you that you cant make it. Believe in you always, Always.

I remember hearing this song on the radio as a kid in the 90's on our trips to visit my grandparents. I've always loved this song and have learned to understand and appreciate the emotion behind it more and more as time has passed. So happy for the newfound recognition Tracy has received for her talents and craft.

Tracy is one of the true gifts of our lifetimes. This song stays with you forever. Be some one - good!

I've loved this song since it was released in the late 80s. More recently, I've studied trauma and adverse childhood conditions, and I can say this song so poignantly captures the desperate plight of so many souls. Look at the way that the song seems to meander in the first half in the same locked pattern - like the way people are locked into the patterns of their lives. This musical repetition seems to go on longer than is usually expected in a song: when we think it ought to break into a chorus, it returns to "You got a fast car..." and holds the same pattern. It builds a tension which makes the break, when it comes, more powerful. The chorus "I remember we were driving..." is that emotional outpour, not quite a dam burst, but a surge of desperate hope fueled by one single moment in time where everything felt right, or right enough, in which she glimpsed a fleeting vision of how life could and should be, where she felt she belonged and could be someone. "Be someone, be someone," echoes the desperation of those whose thwarted ambitions are inextricably bound in self-defeating patterns and trauma. And then the musical surge is lost and, true to the nature of emotional dissociation, we go back again to the repetition of "You got a fast car..." In writing the song, Tracy was surely too young to have technical knowledge of things like trauma and dissociation - and yet it's there - she knew it introspectively, and captured it instinctively as an artist in the lyrics and how they are woven with the music. The song doesn't flinch in honestly portraying that such positive dreams aren't enough for so many people who hold on to the vision for a while, as reality continues to fail to meet it, and it becomes less real to them, until that one inspiring memory of feeling a sense of belonging loses its power as emotional fuel for the future, and comes to be just a memory of a moment in one's past, though a memory still worth cherishing. The song has been beautifully breaking my heart for 35 years.

Remember this song growing up, always playing in background, now listening to the lyrics at 40, this has to be one of the best songs ever written, it hits me in the gut, she is truly gifted.

Thank you Tracy for your talent, your clean voice , your music , it was a pleasure to see you at the 2024 Grammy, you showed that we still have real artists.

I really need a fast car now!!!😢😢 just buried my dad Sunday 😢😢🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

This woman's musical genius was granted by God Himself.

This is the only version that exists in my world. Tracy is amazing. Long live the 80s.

Not only is this a beautiful song. But the lyrics are so impactful. I’ve been listening since it was released and it has the same impact on me even now. Genius at work

I've played this video so many times today. Thank you for this song, Tracy. It speaks to so many of us.

Her voice is insanely good and the song was already recognized for its excellence by her fans before current popularity.

There is something so achingly, yearningly sad about this song. It sounds like the opposite of having your whole life ahead of you. Like it’s already too late and you’re almost at the finish line, without having to truly live at all. Definitely one of the saddest songs for me, from the melody, the lyrics, even Tracy’s beautiful tone.

She differently deserved this award back in the 80s

What can I say, but Oh my God Tracy….Thank You!! Love from Utah ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Her voice is velvet. I’m glad Combs covered this and brought it to a new generation who may have forgotten this masterpiece. Real music fans will always go looking for the original, so they get introduced to Chapman

When she sings ‘take your fast car and keep on driving’ my heart breaks!

Life got in the way of her dreams. My goodness I keep crying as a middle aged person that can relate to this. Hits different than when I was a kid.

I likr this song. It reminds me of my daughter who is at that point in her life that she makes some important decisions - stay and be tormentef or leave and live! May God help her to leave and come and live with her dad. I love her a lot❤. She's my princess!

I have one of two involuntary reactions when I hear this song. Either I gently weep OR, I crank the volume up to a “10” and belt the song at the top of my lungs. 35 years and 1,000 plays later, this song still deeply touches my soul. 🤍

This is the type of song that as you get older, the more you connect to it.

So glad Luke covered this and she is getting more recognition by a new generation. This touched my soul when first released.

The whisper quality of her voice. Goosebumps

Most people don't realize this song goes deep into the struggles to grow, make a better living, how delusions and addiction can damage life, the fast car is that analogy to shortcuts and false expectations that life will be easier somehow. Those who had a hard upbringing or parents with alcohol abuse will get it.

This song is therapeutic for those of us who grew up in an abusive home where mom and dad took pleasure in destroying our soul

How many of you who have listened to this song have wondered when they stood at this crossroad....did they make the right choice? For some of us the fast car is gone and so is the woman who was the center of their universe.

Vivo en México y Tracy Chapman ha estado en mí repertorio musical desde niña, tantos maravillosos artistas desde los 50´s.60´s,70´s,80´s, 90´s, algunos ya se han ido y otros simplemente han sido olvidados...sé que hay música nueva, pero espero que se comience a revivir la buena música del pasado y no darla al olvido...son reliquias musicales.

I agree with Frank Bruno of the New York Times (in his opinion article of this week): this song is perfect. Ms. Chapman’s voice is clear, ever so poignant, and agelessly beautiful; her inner and her outer beauty is timeless, everlasting; her eyes both (1) invite us to her soul; and (2) drill into ours with ruthless, but loving precision. Like so many others who commented, I have loved this song since she first gave it to us and it never ever loses its luster. I first heard Fast Car when I was 27; now, at 61, it is still one of my very few “go to” songs for comfort, solace, and inspiration. Thank you for sharing this precious gem, Ms. Chapman!

The lyrics say “I got no plans, I ain’t going nowhere” and you can feel the weight of that decision: to accept that you are and will forever be trapped living a life without happiness. I respect you, Tracy. Thank you for writing this song

Tracy has more soul in her little finger than most of us have in our whole body. Such a beautiful song with such deep meaning.

one of the best songs ever written. It grabs hold of your soul and takes you for a ride. Absolutely beautiful. I never get tired of heard this, any time, any where.

My mom passed away when I was 5 years old. This was her favorite song, and one of the only ways I truly feel connected to her. Chills every time

Well 😂 it's funny how KZfaq is the closest thing to a time machine backup... This jam is timeless

Masterpiece, thank you Tracy Chapman for blessing the world with your talent. You rock at the Grammy what a beautiful surprise. I hope the Grammys remember to always bring back the artists that played a huge role in our childhood.

This storytelling in this song is so vivid and well-written. A timeless masterpiece that never fails to make me smile. Thank you, Tracy.

Being 59 years old- I'm pretty sure I'll be in the grave before this song ever will. It's simple, it's sad, it's true and it can be played on the largest stage with only a guitar and Tracy's splendid voice. I think we all had a 'Fast Car' in our live.

Tracy Chapman. Fast Car. Love this song. Hits on such a personal level and im sure many have gone through similar or same circumstances. Tracys voice brings back nostalgia.

My husband and I met as teenagers, we've been together for 40+ years. This song reminds me of all our dreams and wishes as a young married couple. It is a beautiful song sung by a beautiful person. I will not listen to the new "country" version. This song is/was perfect as is. No one else can ever give it the quality of the original.

Her voice is so free and real, filled with lots of emotions. I love her.

She's beautiful in every possible way, lyricist, musician, woman Spent my first ever wage packet to buy this as my first ever vinyl in 1989

National treasure since the 90s.. she is the key to peace

Brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.

some ten years ago I was sitting in the lobby of a hotel in Tokyo, there was an old guitar there, I picked it up and started playing this song, when this dude sits next to me and starts listening with teary eyes. he told me this story afterwards, that he was from the states making a living in Japan in a steel company and how terribly he missed his home and wife. met him again a few days later, he asked if I can play that song again for him... my playing sucked, but he still enjoyed it :)

Can you imagine how amazing it must be to write a song, sing it and have generations and generations fall in love with your words, your voice, your story, your feelings, your talent, you! I really wish I had such talent

When this song came out, I was 15 & in love. We just wanted to take a fast car & fly away… This song always brings me back to my 1st love.

Now as a full-fledged grown-up, I have fallen in love all over again with this song, truly iconic. Also, how does she look more gorgeous now, it's like time skipped right over her.

"I had a feeling that I belonged. I had a feeling I could be someone". This is one of the best lines of all time!

"Fast Car" is a song by Tracy Chapman that tells a poignant story of hope, longing, and the pursuit of a better life. It portrays the struggles and aspirations of a young woman seeking to escape her current circumstances and find a better future. The song begins with the narrator's desire to escape her dead-end town and her mundane life. She dreams of owning a fast car as a means of leaving her troubles behind and embarking on a new journey. The fast car represents freedom, opportunity, and the chance to break free from the limitations imposed on her. Throughout the song, Chapman weaves a narrative that highlights the harsh realities and challenges faced by the protagonist. She yearns for a different life, away from poverty, hardship, and unfulfilled dreams. The lyrics reflect the longing for something better and the willingness to take risks to achieve it. As the song progresses, the narrator's dreams become entangled with a romantic relationship. She meets someone who also seeks to escape their circumstances, and together they hope to build a better life. However, despite their initial optimism, the relationship becomes strained, and the narrator realizes that the other person's promises may be empty. This realization forces her to confront the harsh truth that simply escaping her current situation may not solve all her problems. "Fast Car" ultimately conveys a sense of bittersweet reality. It portrays the struggles faced by individuals living in poverty and the challenges of breaking free from such circumstances. While the fast car represents the hope of a better life, it also serves as a reminder that true happiness and fulfillment require more than just physical escape. The song's lyrics are powerful and evocative, addressing themes of socioeconomic inequality, the yearning for a better future, and the complexities of human relationships. Tracy Chapman's soulful delivery and the song's stripped-down, acoustic sound contribute to its emotional impact, making "Fast Car" a timeless anthem that resonates with listeners on a personal and universal level.

One of the best songs ever!

Who’s listening after the Grammy?

lyrics: You got a fast car I want a ticket to anywhere Maybe we make a deal Maybe together we can get somewhere Any place is better Starting from zero got nothing to lose Maybe we'll make something Me, myself, I got nothing to prove You got a fast car I got a plan to get us outta here I been working at the convenience store Managed to save just a little bit of money Won't have to drive too far Just 'cross the border and into the city You and I can both get jobs And finally see what it means to be living See, my old man's got a problem He live with the bottle, that's the way it is He says his body's too old for working His body's too young to look like his My mama went off and left him She wanted more from life than he could give I said somebody's got to take care of him So I quit school and that's what I did You got a fast car Is it fast enough so we can fly away? We gotta make a decision Leave tonight or live and die this way So I remember we were driving, driving in your car Speed so fast it felt like I was drunk City lights lay out before us And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder And I-I had a feeling that I belonged I-I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone You got a fast car We go cruising, entertain ourselves You still ain't got a job And I work in a market as a checkout girl I know things will get better You'll find work and I'll get promoted We'll move out of the shelter Buy a bigger house and live in the suburbs So I remember we were driving, driving in your car Speed so fast it felt like I was drunk City lights lay out before us And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder And I-I had a feeling that I belonged I-I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone You got a fast car I got a job that pays all our bills You stay out drinking late at the bar See more of your friends than you do of your kids I'd always hoped for better Thought maybe together you and me'd find it I got no plans, I ain't going nowhere So take your fast car and keep on driving So I remember we were driving, driving in your car Speed so fast it felt like I was drunk City lights lay out before us And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder And I-I had a feeling that I belonged I-I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone You got a fast car Is it fast enough so you can fly away? You gotta make a decision Leave tonight or live and die this way

35 year old song. Gives me chills hearing it again. Love it!!!

Quasiment 40ans 💖💘incroyablement intemporel 💖💖💖 merciii Madame tracy pour ses chansons qui me rappelle ma jeunesse, j'ai mal ..

I am 6 years younger than her I remember that song growing up got me through a lot of hard times know I am a Fisherman u own his own boats with everything paid for thanks Tracy❤

She is truly gifted. In high school when I heard it, I loved the melody and guitar. Not until now do I hear the heart breaking lyrics. She never over sings either.