She definitely has a ticket to anywhere now.
Tracy Chapman made history Wednesday night when she won her song “Fast Automotive” won Song of the Year at the 57th Country Music Association Awards, 35 years after the song’s original release.
Her win makes her the first Black songwriter, male or female, to win Song of the Year at the CMA’s.
“Fast Automotive” was first made popular by Chapman in April, 1988, earning her a No. 1 spot on several music charts across the world, and peaking at No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
The song got a second life this past summer when Country music star Luke Combs released his over version of the song in July.
When Country singers Bill Anderson and Sara Evans announced “Fast Automotive” as the winner, Chapman received a standing ovation, except she wasn’t at the award show being held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t join you all tonight,” Chapman said in a prewritten speech. “It’s truly an honor for my song to be newly recognized after 35 years of its debut.”
“Thanks to the CMAs and a special because of Luke and all of the fans of ‘Fast Automotive,’” the statement concluded.
“Fast Automotive” beat out “Heart of a Truck,” “Next Thing You Know,” “Tennessee Orange,” and “Wait in the Truck.”
Song of the Year wasn’t the only award the song won Wednesday night because it also took home Single of the Year, which is awarded to the recording artist, Luke Combs.
Combs’ cover of Chapman’s hit quickly shot to No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Music chart, making her the first black woman as the sole author to top the Country Airplay chart, it also peaked at No. 2 on Billboard’s Hot 100.
“I never expected to search out myself on the country charts, but I’m honored to be there,” Chapman told Billboard in an announcement earlier this 12 months. “I’m comfortable for Luke and his success and grateful that recent fans have found and embraced ‘Fast Automotive.’”
Chapman’s original rendition was a folk-rock song that tells the story of a girl eager to escape the gripping cycle of poverty.
When Combs released his song, he did it to honor one of his favorite songwriters as he kept the original lyrics including “I work in the market as a checkout girl.”
Wednesday night’s win isn’t the first award “Fast Automotive” won for Chapman because it was nominated for several Grammy Awards back in the Eighties: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, which Chapman had won.