Tracy Chapman

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File:Tracy Chapman-Tracy Chapman.jpg
Tracy Chapman on the cover of her self-titled album

Tracy Chapman (born March 30, 1964) is an African American singer-songwriter, best known for classic singles "Fast Car," "Talkin' Bout a Revolution," and "Give Me One Reason."

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Tracy Chapman began playing guitar and writing songs as a child. She received a scholarship through A Better Chance that allowed her to attend Wooster School in Connecticut, and was eventually accepted to Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts.

Career

During college, Chapman began street-performing and playing coffeehouses in Cambridge. After waiting to graduate college, she signed to SBK, releasing Tracy Chapman (1988). The album was critically acclaimed, and she began touring and building a fanbase. Soon after performing at the televised celebration of Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday, Chapman's "Fast Car" began its rise on the US charts. Album and singles sales were strong, and the album went multi-platinum, as well as winning four Grammy Awards.

Her follow-up album Crossroads (1989) was less successful. By 1992's Matters of the Heart, Chapman was playing to a small and devoted audience. To the surprise of most industry-watchers, however, Chapman's 1995 album New Beginning included the hit single "Give Me One Reason" which won the 1996 Grammy for Best Rock Song. The following album was 2000's Telling Stories, more a rock sound than folk. Its hit single "Telling Stories" received heavy airplay on European radio stations. Her sixth album was Let It Rain (2002) for which she toured in Europe and the US in 2003.

Where You Live, Chapman's seventh studio album, was released in September 2005. A brief supporting tour took place in major cities across the US in October, and was continued throughout Europe over the remainder of the year.

Discography

  • 1988 - Tracy Chapman (US #1, UK #1)
    • "Fast Car" - US 6; UK 5 (88 > 73 > 46 > 26 > 10 > 7 > 5 > 7 > 12 > 18 > 30 > 50 > 61 | 13 weeks)
    • "Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution" - US 75 [24 - US Modern Rock chart]; UK 85 (90 > 85 > 86 | 3 weeks)
    • "Baby, Can I Hold You?" - US 48; UK 94 (100 > 94 | 2 weeks)
  • 1989 - Crossroads (UK #1)
    • "Crossroads" - US 7 (Modern Rock chart); UK 61 (69 > 61 > 75 | 3 weeks)
    • "Subcity"
    • "All That You Have Is Your Soul"
  • 1995 - New Beginning
    • "Give Me One Reason" - US 3; (not released in UK)
    • "New Beginning"
    • "Smoke and Ashes"
    • "The Promise"
  • 2002 - Let It Rain (UK #36)
    • "You're the One"
    • "Another Sun"

External links

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