I am just recovering from some kind of terrible flu (not COVID), which has set me back a bit, but I would be remiss if I did not post this wonderful duet with country star Luke Combs and Tracy Chapman singing her hit from the late 80s, Fast Car performed on the Grammys last night.
Not only for him, but I imagine for herself as well. While woke racists were busy dissing Combs for appropriating the music of a woman of color, Chapman was humming all the way to the bank. (This is not a criticism…she deserves every penny.) Profits in pop music accrue to the writer, not the singer, and since Chapman is the sole author and owns her publishing, by June of 2023 she had already earned $500K in royalties from Combs’ version. I can’t imagine how much she will continue to earn into perpetuity from this one cover alone. You’d think BLM would celebrate this fact, but they’re too ignorant to think clearly.
I first heard Chapman in the 80s when she was playing in the lesbian bars in Boston. She stood out even then. What’s amazing about her is that she always was, and still is, the same humble, soft spoken genius, an exemplar of the rule that sometimes “less is more.”.
It’s so heartwarming to see her recognized again as a great artist, and to partner with Combs for their mutual benefit. I apologize for feeling sentimental, but I see moments like this one as a beacon of hope cutting through the toxicity of identity politics. Truly a win-win.
White people have been covering black songs for decades. I never heard Chuck Barry or Ray Charles complain. Too busy counting their money, I guess. It's amazing what woke progressives can find to complain about.
But if anybody wants a good laugh, listen to Pat Boone's version of Tutti Frutti by Little Richard. That's a version that should NEVER have been recorded.
Groupthink and virtue signalling have taken over. It's disheartening to see how willingly people plug their brains into woke ideology. But then, all of a sudden, something unexpected happens. Luke Combs finds Tracy Chapman's song, it speaks to him, and he decides to record it. Then comes the pile-on by zealous numbskulls. But Tracy isn't having any of it. A powerful vibration emanates from those two decisions, and here we are, in an unexpected, better place. I'm a pessimist by nature but this gives me hope.
Look into Perspectiva Substack...they are looking into examining music and its relationship to the 'Metacrisis'. One essay opined that we, as a Society, have become intellectually obese as a result of the 'internet age' and music is nourishment rather than food. Interesting analogy/metaphor, I thought.
It's true. I recently put together a Playlist of all the bands from the jazzy-hiphop-hippy dippy- groove is in the heart music of the (mostly) 90's that really felt like healing was happening between the races. I miss that time. Remember De La Soul, Urban Dance Squad, PM Dawn, Arrested Development, Stereo MC's, Soul II Soul, Digable Planets, Jurasic 5, etc.
Fast Car is one of the most evocative songs I've ever heard. What you can hear in her voice is incredible. The first time I heard it was on WXRT and after it played, the DJ, Terry Hemeret (sp?) described it very accurately as a song that can bring you to your knees.
Just turned 70 and saw a lot of concerts in my day. It is rare to hear a voice as beautiful as Tracy Chapman's and rarer still that their voice remains the same. Tracy's was and is haunting as it was in 1988.
Thanks for posting the duet! It is so beautiful that it was two voices and a guitar. No pyrotechnics. No flashing lights. No mostly-naked dancers. This is authentic music. The other stuff takes away from the authenticity. We all recognize authenticity.
It was great to see. I recall all the angst from some quarters when Combs did his cover. People saying he was "appropriating" race. Lots of faux outrage over what was just a beautiful cover....of a song that transcends. The discussion before it was played was great too, showing the immense respect Luke had for her work. Hopefully all those who questioned it can reflect for a moment, and simply appreciate the music.
The left thinks it's all about race. But, it's always been about class. Some of them used to know that, but they are such elitist pigs that they are now permanently on the wrong side of history.
Fast Car resonates for any of us who economically struggled. I did growing up, and the fight & drive to improve one’s self makes this song hit you w/ empathy for others doing the same, to the depths of your bones, regardless of race, creed or color.
First and foremost, I hope you feel better very soon.
Second, I'm (very unexpectedly) sitting here in tears, barely able to type this message. Your writings always get my attention, but this one hit much deeper (for reasons I wish didn't exist).
I was just 26 when this song first came out, and fell in love with it immediately. The music, the depth, her voice; I loved everything about it (and still do).
More than that though, I've since lost hope for us all. Remembering all of the controversy when Combs first re-released this song, and the amazing fortitude Ms. Chapman showed in standing up for everything about it, including that it was HELPING her legacy & finances (and NOT hurting either). She remains a hero in my brain, and this is all why. I'm SO THRILLED she agreed to do this duet with him (for all the reasons you so eloquently outlined).
My wife was watching last night, but I only glanced past. She asked me, "Dave- who is that?" I said, "That's Tracy Chapman!" She replied, "I thought that was her!"
I didn't sit and watch though, as I did do this morning (resulting from this email).
"The power of Chapman’s lyrics resonates through time, social status, and even race - bridging the gap and making us whole.
Maybe it does not seem like a big deal, but if we can come together with this song, perhaps all hope is not lost. Maybe art, music, comedy, and movies can unite us as long as we open our minds and hearts."
It DOES seem like a big deal, Sasha. A VERY big deal.
THANK YOU (as sincerely as I could possibly say that)! <3
Thank you for posting. I would never watch the Grammys, so I appreciate you for highlighting this. As a 68 year old white male, with vivid memories of where I came from, Fast Car has always been one of my favorite songs. And Tracy one of my favorite artists. The divide you speak exists because ‘they’ push and foster it.
My wife (35 years now) and I grew up in Irish Catholic neighborhoods and are from big families. These songs resonated with us then and now. The revolution is the American working class vs the non-working class (eg Neocons, elites, government dole employees, etc).
Get well soon, Sasha; we very much need your voice, talent and courage.
This made me tear up… I had this album, and love this song. I’m not into music much so I didn’t know Luke Combs had recorded it. Anyway. (Sniff) BEAUTIFUL and I love how much fun they were having and the mutual respect that shown through.
What I so love about this is how Luke Combs is totally geeking out like the rest of us getting to hear Tracy Chapman sing this song.
I want to hug Tracy Chapman because she acted the way people once acted when something like this happened: She was tickled and delighted for Luke.
Not only for him, but I imagine for herself as well. While woke racists were busy dissing Combs for appropriating the music of a woman of color, Chapman was humming all the way to the bank. (This is not a criticism…she deserves every penny.) Profits in pop music accrue to the writer, not the singer, and since Chapman is the sole author and owns her publishing, by June of 2023 she had already earned $500K in royalties from Combs’ version. I can’t imagine how much she will continue to earn into perpetuity from this one cover alone. You’d think BLM would celebrate this fact, but they’re too ignorant to think clearly.
I first heard Chapman in the 80s when she was playing in the lesbian bars in Boston. She stood out even then. What’s amazing about her is that she always was, and still is, the same humble, soft spoken genius, an exemplar of the rule that sometimes “less is more.”.
It’s so heartwarming to see her recognized again as a great artist, and to partner with Combs for their mutual benefit. I apologize for feeling sentimental, but I see moments like this one as a beacon of hope cutting through the toxicity of identity politics. Truly a win-win.
More of same, please, before it’s too late.
White people have been covering black songs for decades. I never heard Chuck Barry or Ray Charles complain. Too busy counting their money, I guess. It's amazing what woke progressives can find to complain about.
But if anybody wants a good laugh, listen to Pat Boone's version of Tutti Frutti by Little Richard. That's a version that should NEVER have been recorded.
Ray Charles did a country album back in the 60s covering a bunch of songs by white artists.
It’s a beautiful album too.
Back then, artists were pushing a zeitgeist: unity, despite differences. We've lost that thrust, seemingly willingly.
Groupthink and virtue signalling have taken over. It's disheartening to see how willingly people plug their brains into woke ideology. But then, all of a sudden, something unexpected happens. Luke Combs finds Tracy Chapman's song, it speaks to him, and he decides to record it. Then comes the pile-on by zealous numbskulls. But Tracy isn't having any of it. A powerful vibration emanates from those two decisions, and here we are, in an unexpected, better place. I'm a pessimist by nature but this gives me hope.
Music is the perfect food.
Look into Perspectiva Substack...they are looking into examining music and its relationship to the 'Metacrisis'. One essay opined that we, as a Society, have become intellectually obese as a result of the 'internet age' and music is nourishment rather than food. Interesting analogy/metaphor, I thought.
Intellectual obesity is a good metaphor for how, through consuming the internet, we’re stuffing our brains with junk ideology, junk science, etc.
I’m curious how music functions in this paradigm. I’ll take a look! Thanks.
Very well stated B!! Your words are my thoughts….
It's true. I recently put together a Playlist of all the bands from the jazzy-hiphop-hippy dippy- groove is in the heart music of the (mostly) 90's that really felt like healing was happening between the races. I miss that time. Remember De La Soul, Urban Dance Squad, PM Dawn, Arrested Development, Stereo MC's, Soul II Soul, Digable Planets, Jurasic 5, etc.
And vice versa...
She seems so sweet and humble always
Our hearts are so hungry that it brought tears to many eyes. I loved it.
Absofuckinglutely. We are ALL being jerked around, on so many levels. And it is nothing if not appalling.
Same
Same and same.
Fast Car is one of the most evocative songs I've ever heard. What you can hear in her voice is incredible. The first time I heard it was on WXRT and after it played, the DJ, Terry Hemeret (sp?) described it very accurately as a song that can bring you to your knees.
Just turned 70 and saw a lot of concerts in my day. It is rare to hear a voice as beautiful as Tracy Chapman's and rarer still that their voice remains the same. Tracy's was and is haunting as it was in 1988.
Thinking about Tracy does bring back that time. It was such a big deal when she hit the scene.
Because folks in the 90s wanted an ACTUAL better world. Our current 'situation' involves a shit ton of bad faith, and that's the currency of the day.
Thanks for posting the duet! It is so beautiful that it was two voices and a guitar. No pyrotechnics. No flashing lights. No mostly-naked dancers. This is authentic music. The other stuff takes away from the authenticity. We all recognize authenticity.
It was great to see. I recall all the angst from some quarters when Combs did his cover. People saying he was "appropriating" race. Lots of faux outrage over what was just a beautiful cover....of a song that transcends. The discussion before it was played was great too, showing the immense respect Luke had for her work. Hopefully all those who questioned it can reflect for a moment, and simply appreciate the music.
The left thinks it's all about race. But, it's always been about class. Some of them used to know that, but they are such elitist pigs that they are now permanently on the wrong side of history.
They make it about race to continue the grift. Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain....
Amazing, this is what I grew up with, no one gave an ish about your race or sex.
That was my growing up experience too.
Morgan Freeman 60min interview comes to mind. Here he solves racism in less than 1min:
https://youtu.be/GeixtYS-P3s?si=QeIXKe9Gxkqxv03d
Fast Car resonates for any of us who economically struggled. I did growing up, and the fight & drive to improve one’s self makes this song hit you w/ empathy for others doing the same, to the depths of your bones, regardless of race, creed or color.
Great clip, Matt. Spot on.
Get well soon, Sasha! I'll send along some telepathic chicken soup vibes!! Luv you !!!
First and foremost, I hope you feel better very soon.
Second, I'm (very unexpectedly) sitting here in tears, barely able to type this message. Your writings always get my attention, but this one hit much deeper (for reasons I wish didn't exist).
I was just 26 when this song first came out, and fell in love with it immediately. The music, the depth, her voice; I loved everything about it (and still do).
More than that though, I've since lost hope for us all. Remembering all of the controversy when Combs first re-released this song, and the amazing fortitude Ms. Chapman showed in standing up for everything about it, including that it was HELPING her legacy & finances (and NOT hurting either). She remains a hero in my brain, and this is all why. I'm SO THRILLED she agreed to do this duet with him (for all the reasons you so eloquently outlined).
My wife was watching last night, but I only glanced past. She asked me, "Dave- who is that?" I said, "That's Tracy Chapman!" She replied, "I thought that was her!"
I didn't sit and watch though, as I did do this morning (resulting from this email).
"The power of Chapman’s lyrics resonates through time, social status, and even race - bridging the gap and making us whole.
Maybe it does not seem like a big deal, but if we can come together with this song, perhaps all hope is not lost. Maybe art, music, comedy, and movies can unite us as long as we open our minds and hearts."
It DOES seem like a big deal, Sasha. A VERY big deal.
THANK YOU (as sincerely as I could possibly say that)! <3
Thank you for posting. I would never watch the Grammys, so I appreciate you for highlighting this. As a 68 year old white male, with vivid memories of where I came from, Fast Car has always been one of my favorite songs. And Tracy one of my favorite artists. The divide you speak exists because ‘they’ push and foster it.
Got Damn, but that song's been bringing tears to my eyes for 35 years, and I actually bawled over this version.
To see the left and right extremes rant about this is exactly what's wrong with the US today
Beauty can still make us cry.
They can try to divide us all they want. It didn't work, it won't work, it'll never work.
My wife (35 years now) and I grew up in Irish Catholic neighborhoods and are from big families. These songs resonated with us then and now. The revolution is the American working class vs the non-working class (eg Neocons, elites, government dole employees, etc).
Get well soon, Sasha; we very much need your voice, talent and courage.
This made me tear up… I had this album, and love this song. I’m not into music much so I didn’t know Luke Combs had recorded it. Anyway. (Sniff) BEAUTIFUL and I love how much fun they were having and the mutual respect that shown through.