Piatt 1

Natalie Piatt

Professor Leonard

English Composition II

19 February 2022

Despondent or Hopeful

“Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman is a loved song by many, especially other artists that

cannot resist playing this classic song. Countless other musicians have put their own spin on the

original, but Romy Wave, a striving young artist, took quite a different approach in her version.

Both versions have the same chorus, which says, “So I remember when we were driving, driving

in your car / Speed so fast, it felt like I was drunk / City lights lay out before us / And your arm

felt nice wrapped ‘round my shoulder / And I-I had a feeling that I belonged / And I-I had a

feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone” (2:02-24).

However, with these same lyrics being sung throughout both songs, Tracy Chapman’s version is

somber, dark, and slow, while Romy Wave’s remix is upbeat, bright, and joyful.

Released in 1988, “Fast Car” helped launch Chapman’s musical career. “Give Me One

Reason” was her first hit, but “Fast Car” is the song that led her to three Grammy’s and

widespread recognition. Now a beloved classic, many notable artists, such as Justin Bieber, Luke

Combs, and Kelly Clarkson, just to name a few, have produced covers and remixes of this

timeless tune. It seems as though this is one of those songs that is instantly distinguishable once

those acoustic chords are heard.

In Tracy Chapman’s original version of the song, pathos is heavily used. There is

a heavyhearted meaning behind the lyrics that creates an emotional appeal to the audience. The

narrative going on is one of a struggling young woman who is hopeful that she can escape the

cycle of poverty with her significant other. However, she ends up dropping out of school to take
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Natalie Piatt

Professor Leonard

English Composition II

19 February 2022

care of her alcoholic father after her mother leaves him. She continues to have hope that she and

her partner will be able to make it out in his “fast car,” but in the end, her partner ends up

becoming just like her dad, an alcoholic that doesn’t have a job and isn’t able to take care of his

family. Similar to how her mother left her father, the woman in Chapman’s song lets her partner

go, stating, “So take your fast car and keep on driving” (3:47-49). The cycle evidently continues.

In Chapman’s music video, pathos continues to be used. The lighting is very dark and

shadowy. Snippets of a poverty-stricken town appear throughout the video as Chapman dolefully

sings this sad story. In the last seconds of the music video, a worn-out tire can be seen, and the

tread is almost completely stripped from all of the hard work it has endured. I believe this speaks

volumes to the audience that this music video attracts. Those stuck in lower economic statuses or

dealing with unhealthy family situations may easily be able to relate. Like the car’s tires, they are

likely exhausted and worn out from their tribulations.

Despite such a heavy-laden story, Romy Wave, an ambitious young artist who is

currently traveling with famous DJ, Alan Walker and continuing to make a name for herself,

could still turn her version into a lighthearted, optimistic song. She was able to do so by cutting

out certain verses. The verses that speak of the dysfunctional family or the decision to let her

partner go do not appear in Wave’s remix. Instead, she focuses on the beginning verses and the

chorus, which allows her song to stay positive and hopeful throughout its entirety. Wave also

changes the tempo and tune of “Fast Car” into one that is upbeat and makes the audience feel
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Natalie Piatt

Professor Leonard

English Composition II

19 February 2022

carefree. The sound makes you want to dance right along with her. She is still using pathos, but it

is a positive emotional appeal rather than the negative one that Tracy Chapman’s version holds.

In this music video, you can see Romy Wave exploring California as what I assume is her

boyfriend films her. In direct contrast to Chapman’s music video, Wave’s is bright and sunny.

The California sun is shining down on her as she dances on the beach and through the streets of

Los Angeles. She can be seen laughing, smiling, and driving with the windows down as she

seems to be excited about what her future holds. This music video attracts a much different

audience than Tracy Chapman’s. Teenagers or young adults transitioning from one life stage to

another may find this version more appealing to their life circumstances as they can relate to the

hopeful tune.

I find it so intriguing that one song can be remixed and end up with such a completely

different concept. It amazes me that I can listen to Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” and feel

despondent about life; then, I can transition to Romy Wave’s remix and feel so hopeful about the

future. These versions have two completely different audiences while using the same chorus.

This is a testament to the drastic influence of tempo, beat, lighting, location, and props on songs

and music videos. Overall, thanks to Romy Wave and others who have remixed this classic,

Tracy Chapman’s original version of “Fast Car” has proven to be very divergent.
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Natalie Piatt

Professor Leonard

English Composition II

19 February 2022

Works Cited

“FAST CAR x ROMY WAVE (KIWIK remix)” YouTube, Uploaded by Romy Wave, 30 Aug.

2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yebcW5PaFO4

“Tracy Chapman - Fast Car (Official Music Video)” YouTube, Uploaded by Tracy Chapman, 9

Nov. 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIOAlaACuv4