If Not Now… continues that pattern, pondering the value of a dream deferred. Chapman sings with an urgency unusual for her more personal songs, bridging her intimate and universal themes nicely. Fundamentally the story of a broken couple, it also nicely skewers the inequities of the so-called justice system. With a nice twist, For My Lover returns to the darkly personal.
Chapman sings with lovely, righteous anger, pondering all the ways the Land of the Free abuses its power and ignores the suffering. Why? brings us back to the more universal level with another angry look at the state of the nation. Musically, it may be the weakest point on the album, coming off a bit slick, but lyrically it fits perfectly, continuing the narrative the Chapman and Kershenbaum so carefully wove. She’s Got Her Ticket takes the dream one step further, with its protagonist deciding to literally flee the cycle. The song features the rare but clever use of keyboards, creating a dreamlike feel that helps the two threads weave together effectively. Starting with the dreams of someone clearly low on the economic ladder, she slaps down that yearning with a scathing reminder that materialism is built on the backs of the poor. Mountains O’ Things shows off Chapman’s sense of humor and irony, with a bitter look at the mixed messages of consumer culture. After four powerful songs of social justice, anger, and sorrow, this plea for personal connection is especially powerful, a great example of careful track sequencing. Things get more personal with the lovely Baby Can I Hold You, an aching love song. It’s one of Chapman’s finest vocals, starkly telling a second-hand story with deep personal feeling. Behind the Wall is a potent a cappella look at domestic violence, weaving in the ugly societal factors that perpetuate the cycle. It could have been written for the Rodney King riots, if it hadn’t been written four years before they even happened. It’s a sadly beautiful song about the way hope gets crushed by reality and the oppressive forces that cause people to act outside their best interests, aching for something just a little better.Īcross the Lines is a stark look at ghettoization and racial tension. Fast Car, her amazing first single, ups the ante by using an agonizing story to illustrate the need for that revolution. It sets the tone for the album perfectly, showing off Chapman’s musical power and clearly laying out her agenda for social justice. Talkin’ Bout A Revolution is the perfect mix of anger and hope, both demanding and encouraging change. Things kick off with one of the finest protest songs written after the civil rights era. The result is clean and crisp but never sterile.
He assembled the crack team of Larry Klein and Denny Fongheiser to provide rhythm behind Chapman’s guitar and vocals, adding other sympathetic talents as the songs demanded. Her beautiful voice, piercing insights, and strong social conscience were allowed to take center stage, with Kershenbaum providing guidance but not overwhelming the new artist with his experience. TitleĮlektra wisely decided to let Chapman’s work speak for itself, giving her a solid launch but no glitzy promotion. The result was a multi-platinum Grammy-winner that both summed up its time and was powerfully timeless. Superstar producer David Kershenbaum was looking for an acoustic project and agreed to helm Chapman’s debut disc. A fellow student - who happened to be the son of record mogul Charles Koppleman - passed Chapman’s demos along, securing her a deal with Elektra records. She attended Tufts University (eventually graduating with a BA in anthropology and African studies), busking and playing guitar in the many Boston-area folk venues. Tracy Chapman was born in Cleveland, OH in 1964 and learned to play the ukulele at the tender age of three. Somehow this timeless, authentic masterpiece found its audience in the waning days of Reagan’s America. By turns confessional, angry, personal, and political, the disc is a potent mix of singer-songwriter protest music and aching pop love songs. In an age of power ballads and video-driven pop, Tracy Chapman’s debut album didn’t seem likely to make much of an impression.