Tracy Chapman – Biography, Songs, Albums, Discography & Facts

Tracy Chapman Biography

Tracy Chapman is a singer-songwriter from the United States. “Fast Car”, “Talkin’ ’bout a Revolution”, “Baby Can I Hold You”, “Crossroads”, and “Give Me One Reason” were all hit songs for Tracy.

Tracy was born on March 30, 1964, in Cleveland, Ohio, and moved to Connecticut with her family when she was a child. Tracy began producing music and performing in Boston while studying anthropology and African studies at Tufts University in Massachusetts. She also recorded songs at the local WMFO radio station. In 1986, she got her big break when a friend’s father introduced her to an Elektra Records manager, and she quickly recorded Tracy Chapman (1988). The album’s most popular single, “Fast Car”, landed at No. 5 on the U.K. charts and No. 6 on the U.S. charts. Several years later, Tracy released New Beginning (1995), another widely acclaimed album, which was carried by the hit song “Give Me One Reason”. Though her 1995 success has yet to be matched, Tracy stays busy as an activist, speaking and performing on behalf of various organizations.

Tracy Chapman reached No. 1 in the United States and the United Kingdom, with its hit single “Fast Car” reaching No. 5 in the United Kingdom and No. 6 in the United States. Tracy also played at Nelson Mandela’s 70th Birthday Tribute Concert in the United Kingdom that year. The album’s second song, “Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution”, likewise received positive reviews and charted well on Billboard. Following the publication of Tracy Chapman, Tracy garnered numerous awards, including three Grammy Awards in 1989 for best new artist, best female pop vocal performer, and best modern folk album.

Though becoming a three-time Grammy winner is a significant achievement for any musician’s first album, Tracy wasted little time in getting to work on her second. She continued to write and returned to the studio to record Crossroads (1989), which she also co-produced, in between playing songs from her Grammy Award–winning album. “Freedom Now”, a song on the album, is dedicated to Mandela. Though it didn’t earn the same critical acclaim as her first, it did chart on Billboard 200 and other industry lists.

Tracy’s musical success plummeted again in 1992, with the release of Matters of the Heart, an album that charted at No. 53 on the Billboard 200 but received little worldwide attention. Matters of the Heart included less noteworthy songs than Tracy’s prior albums, and her departure from folk and blues in favor of a more cheery, alternative-rock sound alienated listeners. Tracy probably couldn’t have predicted what would happen three years later with the release of her fourth studio album.

Tracy’s New Beginning (1995), as the title suggests, was a step back into the spotlight for the performer, selling approximately 5 million copies in the United States alone. Thanks to the highly famous hit “Give Me One Reason”, as well as catchy, soulful compositions like “Smoke and Ashes” and the album’s title track, “New Beginning”, the album greatly exceeded the appeal of Tracy’s prior releases.

In 1997, Tracy won her fourth Grammy Award for best rock song (“Give Me One Reason”), as well as several other Grammy nominations and accolades.

Tracy’s success in 1995 has yet to be equaled. Since the release of New Beginning, the musician has released a number of albums, including Telling Stories (2000) and Our Bright Future (2008), as well as touring into 2009. Tracy, on the other hand, has mainly avoided the limelight in recent years.

Tracy Chapman Discography

Our Bright FutureSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Where You LiveSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Let It RainSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Telling StoriesSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
New Beginning SpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Matters Of The HeartSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
CrossroadsSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Tracy ChapmanSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon

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Frequently Asked Questions

Tracy Chapman?

Tracy Chapman is an American singer-songwriter, known for her hits “Fast Car”, and “Give Me One Reason”, as well as her social activism. Chapman was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and began playing guitar and writing songs at the age of eight. She signed with Elektra Records in 1987 and released her self-titled debut album a year later.

When Was Tracy Chapman’s First Album?

Tracy Chapman’s first album was released in 1988 and is titled “Tracy Chapman”.

What Was Tracy Chapman’s Biggest Hit?

Tracy Chapman’s self-titled debut album was released in 1988 and features the hit single “Fast Car”. The album peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Her follow-up album, Crossroads, was released in 1989 and also achieved commercial success.

What Is Tracy Chapman’s Most Famous Song?

Tracy Chapman’s most famous song is “Fast Car”, which was released in 1988. The song peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and received critical acclaim. “Fast Car” was ranked 498th on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Most Searched For Tracy Chapman Songs

Fast CarSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
BridgesSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Talkin’ Bout a RevolutionSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
The PromiseSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
Baby Can I Hold YouSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
This TimeSpotifyAppleYouTube
Give Me One ReasonSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
For My LoverSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon
All That You Have Is Your SoulSpotifyYouTubeAmazon
Stand by Me – Live at the Late Show with David LettermanSpotifyAppleYouTubeAmazon