Tracy Chapman’s Last-Minute Performance That Made “Fast Car” an Instant Classic

1988 was an absolute goldmine for music—an era of massive hits, legendary albums, and songs that still give us chills. Looking back, it’s wild how many classics came out of that year! From soaring rock anthems to unforgettable pop gems, these tracks captured everything—passion, joy, romance, seduction, escapism, and pure musical magic including a song by Def Leppard with so many guitar parts it was impossible to duplicate live, also a Guns N Roses song that was guitar exercise that sounded like something the circus would play but the lead singer made the guitar player turn it into a song against his will and it became MASSIVE... There’s also the rookie Tracy Chapman who SUBBED in for a Legend at the last second when He had to cancel an appearance at a benefit Show that had an audience of 600 Million people. Her song Fast Car was so powerful it made her a star in 4 mins and she sold 2 million records the week after. We countdown the 10 best songs of 1988 next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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The ultimate rock music history podcast for fans of the greatest era of music. If you’ve ever wondered about the true stories behind your favorite songs, or wanted to hear directly from the legends who made them, Professor of Rock is your new go-to podcast. Hosted by music historian and superfan Adam Reader, this show brings the golden era of music back to life with exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and deep dives into the songs that shaped our lives. This podcast uncovers how timeless tracks were made, the creative breakthroughs, the near-breakups, and the powerful moments that defined music history. Each episode is a masterclass in rock culture and nostalgia—whether it's a chart-topping ‘80s anthem, a one-hit wonder with a wild backstory, or a candid conversation with the legends themselves. Hear the Stories. Relive the Music. Only on Professor of Rock.