Released: April 6, 1988
Link
Live performance in Oakland-https://youtu.be/IxXO2ybSvfg
TL;DR: If you haven't listened to this song already, go do it now.
Some songs get better with every listen. "Fast Car" is one of those in my mind.
Tracy Chapman exploded onto the popular music scene with "Fast Car", the second track off her self-titled debut album. The song was a massive success in both the US and UK and reached #1 in several other countries, and if you listen to it a few times it's easy to see why. This is not just one of my favorites from this era; it's one of my favorites ever.
The production is entirely composed of acoustic guitars and (except for the choruses) muted percussion. Some would say there's very little to the song, but this is a classic case of less is more. It puts the focus on the excellent vocals and the even better lyrics, and sometimes, that's all you need. The instrumentation creates a calm, meditative atmosphere perfectly suited to the oft-nostalgic and introspective nature of the songwriting.
Chapman turns in a vocal performance for the ages on this track. Her distinctive lower register is her calling card, and on the verses that comes to the forefront. However, she doesn't sound strained at all when reaching into her higher registers on the chorus. There's a clear undercurrent of emotion in the vocals too, but it's not forced at all. It's a brilliantly understated effort.
The writing is centered around the line "you've got a fast car..." with varying statements following that line throughout the song. Chapman's narrator reflects on a relationship and a life which never quite seems to go anywhere, unlike the titular item. There's a clear progression from youthful optimism to resigned acceptance that neither life nor their partner is ever truly going to change. It's heartbreaking, it pulls no punches, and it's phenomenally done.
I tend to overrate my favorite music, but in this case, I have no problem saying "Fast Car" is an all-time classic.
Score: 10/10 (all-time great song)