What key is the piano accompaniment for "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman in?

The backing track is in A at 92 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.

Can I sing over "Fast Car" with this accompaniment?

Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.

Is this a karaoke version of "Fast Car"?

Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "Fast Car", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.

Can I use "Fast Car" as a backing track for my instrument?

Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.

Can I download the accompaniment for "Fast Car"?

Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.

Who wrote "Fast Car"?

"Fast Car" was originally performed by Tracy Chapman. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.

Lyrics

(Dmaj7)You got a fast car.

(F#m)I want a tick (E)et to an get y us where.

out of here.

I’ve been (Dmaj7)May work be ing we at the make a (A5)deal.

store.

(F#m)May be to geth er (E)we can get lit tle some bit of where.

ey.

(Dmaj7)An y place is (A5)bet ter.

far,

(F#m)Start ing from ze ro, (E)got noth ing to lose.

cit y.

(Dmaj7)May be we’ll make (A5)some thing.

both get jobs But and (F#m)me my self I’ve (E)got noth ing to prove.

liv ing.

(Dmaj7)You got a fast car.

(F#m)I got a plan (E)et to an get y us where.

out of here.

I’ve been (Dmaj7)May work be ing we at the con ven (A5)ience store.

(F#m)Man aged to save er (E)just a get lit tle some bit of mon ey.

(Dmaj7)Won’t have to drive (A5)too ter.

far,

(F#m)just cross the bor der (E)and in to the lose.

cit y.

(Dmaj7)You be and I (A5)can thing.

both get jobs But and (F#m)fin ’lly see what (E)it means to be prove.

liv ing.

See (Dmaj7)my old man’s (A5)got a prob lem.

He (F#m)lives with the bot tle, (E)that’s the way it is.

He says his (Dmaj7)bod y’s too old (A5)for work ing.

I say his (F#m)bod y’s too young (E)to look like his.

My (Dmaj7)ma ma went off (A5)and left him.

She (F#m)want ed more from life (E)than he could give.

I said (Dmaj7)some bod y’s got to (A5)take care of him.

So (F#m)I quit school and (E)that’s what I did.

(Dmaj7)You got a fast car.

Is it (F#m)fast e nough so (E)we could fly a way?

(Dmaj7)We got ta make (A5)a de ci sion, we (F#m)leave to night or (E)live and die this way.

(E)I re mem ber when we were (D)driv ing, driv ing in your car, (A)speed so fast I felt like I was drunk, cit y lights lay out be fore us and your (Esus)arm felt nice wrapped ’round my shoul der.

And (D)I

had a (E)feel ing that I be longed.

(D)I

had a (E)feel ing I could be some one, (D)be some one, be some one.

(Dmaj7)You got a fast car.

(F#m)We go cruis job ing to (E)en ter tain our selves.

You (Dmaj7)still ain’t got a (A5)job late at the bar, and see I (F#m)work in the mar ket (E)as a check out girl.

kids.

(Dmaj7)I know things hoped will (A5)get bet ter.

thought (F#m)You’ll find work (E)and I’ll you get pro mo ted.

(Dmaj7)We’ll move out plans, (A5)of the shel go ing ter, no where, so (F#m)buy a big house (E)and live in the sub urbs.

And (D)I

had a (E)feel ing that I be longed.

(D)I

had a (E)feel ing I could be some one, (D)be some one, be some one.

(Dmaj7)You got a fast car.

(F#m)I got a job that to (E)pays ter all our bills.

You (Dmaj7)stay out drink a (A5)ing late at the bar, and see I (F#m)more of your friends than (E)you a do of your kids.

(Dmaj7)I’d al ways hoped will (A5)for bet ter, thought (F#m)may be to (E)geth er you and me’d find it.

(Dmaj7)I got no plans, (A5)I ain’t shel go ing ter, no where, so (F#m)buy a big house (E)and live in the sub urbs.

(F#m)take your fast car (E)and keep on driv ing.

(Dmaj7)You got a fast car.

Is it (F#m)fast e nough so (E)you can fly a way?

(Dmaj7)You got ta make (A5)a de ci sion, you (F#m)leave to night or (E)live and die this way.

Fast Car — Piano Accompaniment Lead Sheet

Lead sheet view of the piano accompaniment for "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman: melody on the staff, chord symbols above, lyrics below. Ideal for singers, choirs, and band rehearsals. Original key A, 92 BPM.

Tip: Press play and sing the melody on top of the piano. If the original key (A) sits too high or low for your voice, use the transpose control to shift the accompaniment into a comfortable range — the backing moves with you. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the vocal melody in.

Try other practice modes:

Bars Sheet Fall Down

About “Fast Car”

What key is the piano accompaniment for "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman in?: The backing track is in A at 92 BPM. If that doesn't sit in your vocal range, use the live transpose control to shift up or down semitones — the accompaniment moves with the new key automatically.
Can I sing over "Fast Car" with this accompaniment?: Yes — that's exactly what it's built for. The vocal melody is muted by default so you can sing freely. Need a pitch reference? Tap the mic icon to bring the melody back in at a lower volume.
Is this a karaoke version of "Fast Car"?: Effectively yes — it's the piano-only backing for "Fast Car", with no vocals. You can also slow it down to practice tricky verses, then bring it back to full tempo.
Can I use "Fast Car" as a backing track for my instrument?: Absolutely. Singers, guitarists, violinists, wind players, and instrumental practice in general all work — the piano holds the harmony so you can carry the melody on whatever instrument you play.
Can I download the accompaniment for "Fast Car"?: Yes — registered users can download MIDI + MusicXML (open in any notation software). PDF sheet music is also available for the full arrangement.
Who wrote "Fast Car"?: "Fast Car" was originally performed by Tracy Chapman. This piano accompaniment is an arrangement of that song, designed for sing-along and play-along use.