Grammy-nominated duo Black Pumas, comprised of singer Eric Burton and guitarist Adrian Quesada, have released a stirring cover of Tracy Chapman’s 1988 classic “Fast Car.” Unveiled this month via A Night For Austin benefit coverage, this version captures the lyrics’ melancholy resonance while weaving in the psychedelic soul style for which the band.
“Any time I play that song, a tear comes to my eye because it is one of a few covers that I knew when I was busking,” Eric Burton told Bluegrass Station. The California native started his music journey busking on the Santa Monica Pier, before traveling through the west and settling in Texas.
This cover preserves the song’s intimate, introspective core while layering it with warm, atmospheric textures. The Austin-based duo have often incorporated “Fast Car” into their live sets, but finally released a more polished studio version. This release delivers a fresh take for longtime fans of the song and introduces it to new audiences, securing Black Pumas’ position among the most compelling acts in contemporary soul and roots music.
Black Pumas’ next performance will be filmed at a secret location and livestreamed on June 21 to celebrate their self-titled album. Check out another, very big cover of “Fast Car” on the list of The 50 Best Cover Songs of 2023.
That was gorgeous!!! Interesting contrast between the chorus and the verse.