Rediscovering “Fast Car” – Tracy Chapman’s Classic Through Luke Combs’ GRAMMY-Winning Rendition and How to Play It on Guitar

In the world of music, certain songs transcend time, resonating with listeners across generations. Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” is one such timeless classic. Recently, this song has experienced a remarkable resurgence, largely thanks to Luke Combs’ extraordinary rendition, which earned a GRAMMY for Best Song. At TrueFire, we’re excited to delve into the rich history of “Fast Car” and provide a comprehensive guide on how to play this iconic song on guitar.

The History of “Fast Car”

Released in 1988 as part of Tracy Chapman’s self-titled debut album, “Fast Car” quickly became a defining track of the era. The song’s poignant lyrics, which narrate a story of hope and despair, coupled with Chapman’s soulful voice, captured the hearts of millions. It became an anthem of sorts for social change, reflecting the struggles and aspirations of the working class.

Luke Combs’ GRAMMY-Winning Rendition

Fast forward to the present, and “Fast Car” has found a new voice through country music sensation Luke Combs. His rendition breathes fresh life into the song while maintaining its emotional core. Combs’ version, characterized by his distinct country twang and powerful vocals, won a GRAMMY, introducing the song to a whole new audience and reaffirming its status as a timeless piece.

Why “Fast Car” Resonates Today

The resurgence of “Fast Car” is not just a testament to its musical brilliance but also to its enduring relevance. The song’s themes of escapism, hope, and the harsh realities of life continue to resonate with listeners today, much like they did decades ago.

Guitar Lesson: Playing “Fast Car”

Now, let’s get to the exciting part – learning to play “Fast Car” on the guitar. The beauty of this song lies in its simplicity and emotional depth.

Tuning and Chords:

Standard tuning (EADGBE) works perfectly for “Fast Car.” The main chords used are Cmaj7, G, Em, D, and Dsus4.

Intro and Verse:

The iconic intro and verse of the song feature a fingerpicking pattern that revolves around the chords Cmaj7 and G. Focus on the syncopation to capture the song’s rhythm.

Chorus:

The chorus introduces Em and D chords. Strumming pattern becomes more pronounced here, adding to the song’s emotional crescendo.

Bridge:

The bridge uses the same chords but with a slight variation in the strumming pattern to build up the song’s climax.

Tips for Playing:

Pay attention to the dynamics – the song builds up in intensity as it progresses. Practice the fingerpicking pattern slowly and gradually increase the speed.

“Fast Car” Lyrics

Fast Car Guitar Tab

(C) (G) (Em) (D) (C) (G) (Em) (D)
e|—————-|—————-|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|
D|—————-|——0———|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|——3———|—————-|

e|—————-|—————-|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8–10-8-7–8–7-|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—8-7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—————|0—0-0—–0—|0—0-0—–0—|
D|—————-|——–0——-|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|——3———|—————-|

e|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—8-7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—0-0—0-0—|
D|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|

This pattern is slightly different than the intro, most noticeably
in the second measure. Here it is varied throughout the song:

* – The note on the G string is often added during the verse, and at times the note on
B string feels like it is there but is soft.
@ – Again, the note on the G string is often there, but not always.

e|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—8-7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—0-0—0-0—|
D|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|

You’ve got a fast car, I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal, maybe together we can get somewhere
Anyplace is better. Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we’ll make something, but me myself I got nothing to prove

(First four bars of the intro)
e|—————-|—————-|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|
D|—————-|——0———|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|——3———|—————-|

e|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—8-7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—0-0—0-0—|
D|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|

You got a fast car, and I got a plan to get us out of here
I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money
We 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

e|—————-|—————-|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|
D|—————-|——0———|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|——3———|—————-|

e|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—8-7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—0-0—0-0—|
D|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|

You 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
I say 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

e|—————-|—————-|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|
D|—————-|——0———|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|——3———|—————-|

e|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—8-7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—0-0—0-0—|
D|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|

You got a fast car, but is it fast enough so we can fly away
We gotta make a decision, we leave tonight or live and die this way

e|—————-|—————-|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|
D|—————-|——0———|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|——3———|—————-|

e|—————-|—————-|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|
D|—————-|——0———|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|——3———|—————-|

e|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—8-7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—0-0—0-0—|
D|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|

You got a fast car and we go cruising to entertain ourselves
You still ain’t got a job and I work in the 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

(slight difference in last bar)
e|—————-|—————-|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|0h1-0-3—3—–|8–10-7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|
D|—————-|——0———|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|——3———|—————-|

e|—————-|—————-|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|
D|—————-|——0———|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|——3———|—————-|

e|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—8-7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—0-0—0-0—|
D|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|

You got a fast car, and 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 would find it
I got not plans I ain’t going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving

e|—————-|—————-|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|
D|—————-|——0———|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|——3———|—————-|

e|—————-|—————-|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|
D|—————-|——0———|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|——3———|—————-|

e|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—8-7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—0-0—0-0—|
D|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|

You got a fast car but is it fast enough so you can fly away
You gotta make a decision, you leave tonight or live and die this way

e|—————-|—————-|—————-|—————-|
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|0h1-0-3—3—–|8–10-7—7—–|
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|
D|—————-|——0———|—————-|——0———|
A|3—————|7—————|3—————|7—————|
E|——3———|—————-|——3———|—————-|

e|—————-|—————-|—————-||
B|0h1-0-3—3—–|8—–7—7—–|0h1-0-3———||
G|0—0-0—–0—|0—–0—–0—|0—0-0———||
D|—————-|——0———|—————-||
A|3—————|7—————|3—————||
E|——3———|—————-|——3———||

Chords used in the chorus:
C x32010 (driving — car)
C* 335553 (and I/be someone)
Cmaj7 x32000
G 320003
Gadd9 3×0203
Em 022000 (city lights — us)
Em7 020030
Em* 779987 (and I…)
D x00232
D* 557775
Dsus2 x00230 or 557755
Dsus4 x00233

Source

Conclusion

“Fast Car” is more than just a song; it’s a story, an emotion, and a piece of musical art that continues to inspire and move listeners. Through Tracy Chapman’s original brilliance and Luke Combs’ recent GRAMMY-winning rendition, the song remains as relevant and powerful as ever. Whether you’re a longtime fan or have recently discovered this classic, we hope this guide helps you enjoy playing “Fast Car” on your guitar.

Want more guitar lessons and music insights? Join now for a free trial of TrueFire All Access to 80,000 guitar lessons. And share your “Fast Car” covers with us on social media using @TrueFireTV. Keep strumming!