If Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car' Was A Country Radio Single

When I first heard Luke Combs' new version of this song, it struck me as a remarkably faithful recreation, with some nice slick production - evening out all the rushing tempos, variations in volume, and charm in the process.
Thinking about all the talent that must have been in the tracking room that day, with all the nice gear and engineers and resources; it makes me wonder what it would have been like if the band weren't so faithful to the original, maybe if they had a more playful approach with fun fills and layers.
I don't proclaim to be a professional by any means, but I thought it'd be a fun experiment to explore this wonderful song through the lens of that Nashville session band vibe. I hope you enjoy!
Vinyl/Merch: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMelt...
Stream: purenoiserecs.lnk.to/AlexMelt...
/ alexmelton

[@mattyjmar10]

The lyrics to this song are just heartbreaking. I still tear up when I *really* think about what the song is about.

[@jondnz]

I saw the title before reading the description and thought, "Has he not heard of Luke Combs?".........ohhh never mind

[@goatzee69420]

Same here. Luke just did an acoustic cover. This is actually a bluegrass version. This is so much better. Luke's voice is like velvet, but Alex put so much more soul into this.

[@clumsysmurf8109]

My first thought was, "Is he trolling us?"

[@mastermusicman24]

The harmonies, dynamic breaks, great guitar and bass tones, drum fills just at the right time, just wow!

[@shalombondar177]

1. He’s doing “modern” country 2. Tracy isn’t even a country musician to begin with. 3. Luke stuck to the original just a half step down in key. So it was basically the same iteration.

[@bigga5406]

Like this one better. It's definitely pop country.

[@jbwetzstein]

Okay, this sounds like a fusion of country and pop-punk, and it’s pretty darn slick.

[@benajack]

I am so happy that Alex and Alex got together for another banger. Melton Brothers for life!

[@virgilsamleit2469]

The Meltmen

[@rrppodcast3347]

😂😂😂🫶🏻

[@christopherbronson3275]

I do wish he'd get the Melton crew back together like he did for the B-Day bash and the Subscriber Celebration. They harmonized so well, but I am still glad they're all doing their own thing

[@justicebrewing9449]

Yeah, Alex and Alex did great.. but I wish Alex was there too.

[@leemcdonald2719]

So much talent in one family 😂

[@marcmancycling]

Lyrics hits so much more now that im in my 40s than when i was in highschool. Found a new appreciation for this song!

[@homeboi4159]

THE RHYTHM SECTION ON THIS IS AMAZING

[@davidphilipsmusic]

This has Counting Crows vibes. Love it

[@mastermusicman24]

Yeah! He's got that young- Adam Duritz nasal tone!

[@CommViewer]

Great call !

[@chingsengdaring]

Was about to say the same 🙌🏻

[@justinsprung1454]

He keeps proving that great songs are great in almost any genre. Plus he’s super talented.

[@cappeto]

Dude understands bass.

[@droningkeyboardgroup]

That is the truth

[@jokort2400]

My friend , Genre blending is a skill you have mastered.

[@CrispysCrafts]

I love that you can hear the classic riff but not hear it at the same time. Like that gif of the train going through the subway, take your eyes off it and it goes the other way. Love it

[@GolfJulietBravo]

I love how Alex and the Meltons coordinate their outfits. Just a nice little detail that adds to their videos.

[@dakejahl]

just went and listened to both the tracy chapman and luke combs versions and honestly I like this version the best of the 3. Its much busier and the drums feel punk rock inspired, love it

[@richardchoi168]

KIller bass! As much as I love your guitars, your awesome drum and bass work have always laid a strong foundation to your music. It what drives all of your covers and why we keep coming back.

[@AlexMelton]

Thank you for appreciating those elements! Rhythm section was a blast this week.

[@wsm9666]

@@AlexMelton I have to agree. Some very tasty little bass licks sneaking there way in here.

[@matthewlaborde1080]

The bass is seriously putting in some work on this one. Really sets the tone.

[@mattthegreeter9074]

As a lead-singing bass player myself, I agree 100%

[@odistabettor]

It's tough sometimes to truly appreciate a cover when the original means so much to me, but I can really hear the amount of heart you put into this.

[@RealAndySkibba]

Your version of country is the only country I'll actually listen to.

[@NinjaMaiku]

Same

[@michaelb3581]

We’ve got a music racist on our hands

[@jamesgaffney7480]

Dude, same.

[@pandadoublexl]

L take

[@MrAlfiesmells]

Maybe you just haven’t heard the right country…

[@sabrinabuckets]

This song is easily at the top of any "greatest songs of all time" list I could try to make. Love this arrangement, and goddamn that bass line is incredible.

[@angelodemayo4656]

Spotify pleaseee this arrangement is just too good

[@mattboyer3385]

Glad to see someone who understands the purpose of a cover

[@Ta12dankdiscoveries]

Luke Combs had been covering Fast Car for years during acoustic sets and wanted to remain faithful when recording it. I respect it.

[@mattboyer3385]

@@Ta12dankdiscoveries he can do whatever he wants and obvious a lot of people really like it including Tracy Chapmen. But I just don’t like straight covers

[@Ta12dankdiscoveries]

@@mattboyer3385 I definitely don't disagree with you at all.

[@mattboyer3385]

@@Ta12dankdiscoveries Good to hear

[@yurijanssen2148]

I love this hybrid of a Country vibe with a Punkrock tempo on a song thats classic. Love the original and Luke's version but this one is great in its own way as well 👌Love how you made it your own with this very creative spinoff

[@jonathan3518]

It’s just fun to see an artist having fun with music but still taking it seriously. The home studio/garage season feel is great.

[@padmewan]

Thank you for sticking to the original lyrics by Chapman. People praise Combs for keeping "checkout girl" but fail to catch that he changes "YOU gotta make a decision" to "WE gotta make a decision" in the last stanza, changing the ending from an ultimatum to something more wishy washy.

[@wadewebster5758]

Yeah this is way better than Combs

[@adinaholmes5269]

THIS is a worthy cover of an amazing song.

[@adamlitalien3956]

I actually really wanted to suggest this as a Pop Punk cover for you. Same thing, when I heard the Luke Combs version, especially the guitar part, i could just hear you doing it. Plus the lyrics are a great Pop Punk theme. Do that version too!

[@jordongee2347]

Dude....this guys so good. I love it. And Tracy rocks dude, i had to get older to realize that.

[@adinaholmes5269]

I've been saying the past couple of years that I really did not appreciate her when I was younger, but nowadays? Oh, yeah.

[@bigga5406]

She was always great. Even when I was 10 years old.

[@MichaelFortney]

Now THIS is how a modern country version of this song is supposed to sound. 🙌🏼

[@PonchoKid]

Brilliant! One of the most talented artists on KZbin in my opinion!

[@batmanman0888]

I keep saying I don't like country then I hear you sing anything country and I'm in. Thank you brother.

[@tonygoodwinjr9293]

When i first heard Luke Combs' new version of this song, it struck me as a remarkably forgettable recreation that nobody asked for. Your version is even better

[@Thekaiser4100]

Combs’ version is phenomenally good

[@tonygoodwinjr9293]

@@Thekaiser4100 Combs version takes a good song & makes it worse than any other cover of it

[@satannotsara]

The way you were able to capture that specific feeling 'Fast Car' manifests and not only turn the dial up just a bit but set the whole damn thing into motion. Beautiful job, Alex. 💗

[@umyeah8381]

Being a prog metal drummer today and a musician my whole life, I stumbled upon this. Great job! Truly enjoyed this. Never give in, never quit. The world needs more talented people like you! Bravo!

[@oliverbowser]

Bro is actually incredible 🙆🏼‍♂️🙌🏻 love it

[@dr.emilschaffhausen4683]

Tracy is an incredibly talented singer/song writer, and this was a great tribute to that!

[@obcorc]

Powerful cove! Was anyone else getting a little "Aaron West And The Roaring 20s" energy? It was something in the way Alex mixed the country, folky, evocative tone with the more rocky tempo and and instrumentation. It made me think of how much I would LOVE to hear him do "67 Cherry Red" as a country song, and totally not cry my eyes out.

[@maxonmendel5757]

definitely feel the soupy vibes

[@TheRtRevKaiser]

The chorus of the original always sent me to another place, it was gave me such an incredible feeling. You managed to capture some of that which I think is a huge accomplishment.

[@julia_kay.05]

Ditto!

[@keithpennington6141]

Bass was particularly impressive in this one.

[@IheartDogs55]

Superlative! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@brycef328]

Needs to be on Spotify now!

[@snazzydrew]

I loudly gasped when I saw this title. This song is life changingly good. Kept all the emotional in this song! GREAT COVER!!!!

[@MyBelgianAzzy]

Amazing- as always, Mr. Melton. Your channel is the only one I can think of that gets both me and my 12 year old daughter equally psyched when we get the new upload notification... your talent and music choices appeal to generations. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. PS- please incorporate Modest Mouse's Dramamine into your work, if possible. The song already evokes so much emotion... I can only imagine how you'd apply your brand of genius to the song. 😊

[@KY.0009]

Dramamine would be such an amazing cover

[@MrTerry]

This might be your best drum work yet, and that’s saying A LOT! Also, this is the best cover of this song I’ve ever heard.

[@Ambientnauts]

Great work man your reworkings are inspiring. Sounds a bit like Counting Crows. The character of your voice at times reminds me of Adam's.

[@EvanRochte]

Each of these covers you do in this country style get better and better.

[@BluishGnome]

Damn, probably one of the better ones that he's done. That was enjoyable.

[@systemsandhowtodestroythem474]

I got some chills. A great take on one of my all-time favorite songs.

[@brandonm922]

Spotify?!? And I can’t believe you’re not at a million subs yet man… you kill it all around dude 🔥🤘🏼

[@pantisflyhand]

Alex continues to prove to me that the best country songs don't come from country artists

[@falsealaska]

This is incredible. I love the original but this cover gives it a run for its money. Amazing work ❤

[@applefridder89]

Nailed every part of this!

[@vinv6082]

Awesome cover doesn't lose any of the spirt of the original very well done.

[@KJRaycing]

Man I love everything you do. Makes me want to play my drums every time I see a video of yours, love your style man!

[@ryangaudreau3330]

One of the greatest artists on KZbin! Great job Alex! Your take on every song creates a new emotion I would have never experienced with the original version. Keep up the amazing work and thank you for sharing your extraordinary musical talents with all of us that think we are rock stars in the privacy of our shower.

[@Trevdawg37]

Dude, this is fn sweet!!!!

[@GTifft1]

Killer! Fabulous! You could release this… Should release this!❤️

[@jordanebs21]

See, the thing about these "Country Radio" covers is that there's nothing on the country charts as good as what Alex does. Misleading title, A+ execution.

[@SueEmery-pq8tb]

This was what I wish was on the radio!

[@joeweaver9913]

The original is an all-time great song. This is a very nicely-done rendition that captures the spirit of the original

[@SlainByBayne]

I need this in my spotify playlists

[@geraldhornsby]

The YT algo plopped this beauty on my home page today. This is my first visit to your channel. It won't be my last!

[@segamble1679]

Well-freakin'-done. I was expecting this to be some kind of lambasting of mediocre modern country radio singles, but you really put your heart into this and made it something great. It also goes to show that a great song shines through in just about any style it's played in.

[@nekolafilip]

Absolutely beautiful! Love it

[@voltaireroxas1188]

It’s so fun watching cover songs and it’s always amazingly done!

[@kristi8812]

No words, just 😍🤤❤️ I want a whole album, please. Thanks!

[@TheDukeofhazzard86]

The bass….🥰👍🏻👍🏻

[@captainwilliams1493]

This is absolutely AMAZING! One of my favourite songs. This rendition is literally perfect lol

[@Fms_fam_]

That song is on repeat bro.... I love it

[@jonathantitterington6221]

Absolutely incredible!

[@jillforseth5549]

This is exactly how i have heard this song in my head for years!! Fun! Thank you.

[@cvnb77]

I love how tasteful your covers are ❤

[@chrisdavis6853]

WOW! Loved this song as a kid, now I'll never hear it the same. Amazing job Alex! So talented, thank you for sharing your music with us.

[@mazaarnaud9837]

From far, my favorite revisited song in country version of you ❤️

[@Jupsi]

Great rendition - and killer bass work!

[@egall1000]

Great cover in your own style, love it. Thanks for sharing

[@cpet72]

You are a treasure, Alex. Keep rocking on.

[@xcoolthefoolx]

Its f'n -12 degrees here brother. Thanks for bringing the heat!

[@pandaghostofficial]

I love the way you seamlessly create your compositions for every instrument played, i think that can be often overlooked but it is what makes your videos so unique! 3-4 years following your channel now! keep it up man! It inspires me to make my own music at the end of the day even if it's not the same style but I'm grateful for that!

[@billyneville8579]

Fantastic job

[@mattduffyw99]

I'm going to have anxiety all day waiting for that last beat to land. Loved it

[@matthewjamestaylor]

Grand Slam Home Run!! Great job, Alex. Cheers.

[@eisman99]

Love those drums.

[@rudispruell883]

I am so glad I came across you, Alex. Can't remember how, but it's been a good while, and I have never been disappointed with any of your re-imaginings. Long, may you run!

[@renzoserra2426]

Bro you are amazing! Supervb work

[@borjapostigosanchez2641]

Love the bass fill

[@shanehockey28]

So talented! Keep the jams comin

[@thechazdarby]

Killer! I would love to hear your original tunes. Your takes on covers absolutely slay!

[@bigga5406]

I love the ending on the drums. Dude, you did not want to stop and I felt that energy. Love it. Keep up the great work!!!

[@svenskavapes8558]

Absolutley Amasing ❤ The video, your voice, and all.... Big thumbs up and greetings from Sweden 🎉

[@nakleh]

this was beautiful

[@rrppodcast3347]

I LOVE WATCHING YOU PLAY DRUMS!

[@econgator6153]

This song is so beautifully written that covering it seems like a can't miss if you stay true to it

[@inga819281]

First in! Love this style and all the reprisals. Blink 182 this song my man!

[@benchben7569]

Beautiful work! ❤❤❤ I need this song in Spotify!!!

[@Terry_Dale]

Again Alex, you killed it! Nice version.

[@ryanmac6306]

this is brilliant

[@joellebrooke42]

Looks at title, "I see what you did there" lol Amazing cover!!

[@bonn1771]

another week another banger from Alex!!

[@timothycarr7412]

You are the man. Great rendition. Been following now for yeaars. Your progression has been a sight to see. So happy for you to be doing what you love and you always inspire me to want to pick up my guitar or discover new music.

[@lucentdan2]

Great cover!

[@chembrad69]

Freakin' amazing, man. Keep this stuff coming!

[@sombombud]

almost criminal this doesn't have more views.