Tracy Chapman

Feels criminal giving it anything less than 4

A few songs were okay, but this was mostly meh

Very good album. Tracy has a distinctive voice and uses it to its full potential. Lyrics are very relatable to current issues. Is it a 5 star album. Not quite but highly recommended.

That's wtf I'm talking about

Slower than i like, but he has a pretty voice

Very cool album

Would not buy

Μιεχ. Λίγο παρόμοια και σχετικά απαρατήρητα κομμάτια

Me gustó, es como mi estilo

Haha had already listened to this. This is an amazing album. It’s a *serious* album, dealing with veeery serious topics. The lyrics are front and center and command you attention - to the point where there is even a flat out accapella song. It is done brilliantly, with a sense of urgency to convey these feelings. You can feel the sincerity in each line.

This is a really good album. Chapman's voice is great to listen to. The lyrics are very good. The music mostly works, but it all gets a little repetitive. The end of the album is not as good as the beginning.

Very Tracy Very Chapman, I like it

It’s a great listen. Fast car is the only song I knew before listening to the album. I yearn for it after its turn on the album. Tracy is such a great vocalist.

There are some strong songs here, and Chapman’s Armatrading-esque voice showcases them well. I’ve always been a bit sceptical of protest songs—they’re generally better at whingeing than bringing about actual change, and history has not exactly vindicated Chapman’s hopes for social progress. Still, the melodies are solid.

Aivan uskomaton ääni, aivan uskomaton levy. Todella ajankohtaista yhteiskunnallista kannanottoo edelleen. Fast Car on itelle myös ihan tosi rakas biisi, kuuntelin sitä paljon ko reppureissailin Keniassa. Se piti mut matkaamassa eteenpäin. Upea kokonaisuus kaikenkaikkiaan!

A wonderful blast from the past. Some great songs and no bad songs.

Unique voice

Vond zijn stem irritant op een gegeven moment.

Superhyvä! Tykkäsin. Pitää lukea historiallisesta kontekstista enemmän. Jotenki superajankohtanen soundi vieläkin ja tiktokhittejä unohtamatta. Mielenkiintosen todella kirjaimelliset ja koruttomat lyriikat.

i honestly had not heard any songs off this album besides fast car. i really enjoyed it the rough quality of her voice was really pleasant to listen to it reminds me of something id want to hear while driving through the country in the 80s. the different instruments used in this were also really toe tickling. the message in this album is still a little too relevant though some of the songs were a little too… intimate for my taste? like it felt like just her and the guitar. which, musically? beautiful. but not something i would throw on. favorite tracks were 1,2 ofc, 5 & 6

this was exactly what i needed

Very enjoyable listen, lots of emotion

Upset that this album only comes in at 36 minutes - I could've used double the amount of Tracy Chapman. Beautiful backing instruments (albeit a little dated but I'll let it slide), lyrically wonderful, and a fantastic political statement that, unfortunately, still holds true in today's america

This album takes you on a journey of emotions. I remember loving every song when the album came out. It stands the test of time after listening again.

Vakuuttava alku, mut kokonaisuus kävi vähän yksipuoleiseksi. Ei ollu missään vaiheessa huono, mut vähän liikaa samaa midtempolällyilyä. Teksteissä tuntu olevan hyvää juttua, joten ne ehkä kaipais tarkempaa tutkimista.

🥺 Huh huh. Mul oli kovat ennakko-odotukset kun just tuli toisaalla vastaan joku tän levyn biiseistä (muu kuin Fast car) ja vahvat suositukset koko levyyn. Avausraita voitti väkevästi heti puolelleen. Vähän arvoin lopulta nelosen ja vitosen välillä ja et kuinka paljon vaikutti odotukset, mut kun tajusin et varmuutta hakiessa olikin jo kolmas kuuntelukierros menossa totesin et onhan tää nyt upee ✨

Ajaton, todella kaunis albumi! En muistanu tuota Fast Caria!

siis haloo et sää voi vaan debytoida tällasella 🤯 tracy chapman oli aiempi tuttavuus aktivistina, ja olihan nää sanat tosi puhuttelevia

Heel mooi album.

Starts with two all time great songs. But as it go on, begins to feel a bit repetitive, and none of the songs in the second half really stand out as much as the first couple.

Not my genre, but her voice is hauntingly beautiful and she has really deep and powerful lyrics. It really is a shame that the world has hardly changed in almost 40 years which makes those songs still relevant today.

Mooie singer-songwriter plaat 3,5

This album was played constantly by an ex that I have some very bad memories of. Sorry Tracy that you are the one that must suffer for this.

Lots of good songs, but just not a "I'm going to listen all the time album".

This album resonated with me in a way that the others so far haven't. The first half of the album is amazing, and while the 2nd half isn't quite as strong i still added more than half the album to various playlists. The way Tracy uses her voice as the main instrument really elevates the .music that is there to support her voice instead of the voice supporting the music.

This album, even though coming from a black woman, has storytelling that every person of every race can find themselves in ( even though, of course, some songs on the album are specifically towards danger that black people face, but there are songs that have messages that can be universally applied to every race ), storytelling on this album, even though more simplistic in its approach, dosent have less power, vulnerability and rawness. Tracy Chapman's voice has that emotion to it, like, that eternal simple power many people unfortunately forget about kinda in these days, and of course, songs are more relevant than ever today, and timeless.

The power of simplicity. A stripped back emotional punch of social commentary.

Loved the social consciousness of this album. Feels both of its time and still totally relevant. Easy to listen to in a single sit.

Not my thing

A minimalism that's true to the spirit of the origins

Another one my sister loved when we were kids Remember fast car and talking bout a revolution being everywhere, but can’t remember hearing another one of her songs until listening to this. Didn’t realise baby can I hold you tonight was hers either, assumed it was one of those tracks that has just been in the public consciousness since the dawn of time. Overall I liked it. Super lefty, antiestablishment in its own way. Nice voice. Solid. Favourite track: mountains o’things

Very good

Great memories of this album growing up, I think revolution might have been one of the first songs i learned on guitar

She's a good egg

this is so early 2000s coffee shop, so nostalgic and warm.

geil, viele originals

Folk Rock Favorite Tracks: Talkin’ Bout a Revolution, Fast Car, Across the Lines, Behind the Wall, Baby Can I Hold You, Why? Least Favorite Track: She Got Her Ticket This is one of those albums where the A side is better than the B side. The A side is more jam-packed with amazing songs whereas the B side is okay, but it could’ve been better. The A side is more unified and tight with its slow and medium tempo songs that doesn’t have too much energy but just about right, whereas with the exception of ‘Why?’, there’s certain elements that I think could’ve been different. That being said, this is a great album to listen to and own. 8/10

An album so nice that I listened to it twice. Talk about banger after banger after banger. I had no idea all these songs came from one album and a debut album to boot. Tracy Chapman has talent, she can beautifully string together such meaningful lyrics in a wonderful way. Even "Behind The Wall", which only had her voice in it was impactful and meaningful. Hats off to you Tracy. This one is going into my personal library. I can listen to this any day of the week.

Fantastic album. I've loved this one for years. Honestly the highlights are so high that I kinda can forgive the lower moments. Banger.

its ok but some of the songs i dont want to listen to in the future

So extremely beautiful, sad and bittersweet, it feels like finding beauty in the worst of situaltions. Tracy Chapman is so goated.

I gotta admit, while several songs (Fast Car, Talkin’ Bout…, For My Lover) still punch, many of them come across as facile or simple. The lyrics sound naive and the melodies are a bit drawn out and repetitive. Maybe it’s the passing of time. Maybe other artists took the baton and ran it further. Chapman’s pitch-perfect voice still carries these songs a long way, of course. And I still listen. She just doesn’t have the impact she did in ‘88. But she grew, and changed. We all did.

if you’re like southern but have emotions, fast car is probably the only good one that got me to cry, its rare i get to cry so yeah

no notes 10/10

It was fine

I just realized how funny it is that people hearing her voice think she's a man when her last name might as well be Guydude

She’s got a beautiful voice and storytelling style - the highs are extremely high

Chapman’s voice truly just yanks on my heartstrings every single time.

I feel like everything I’m going to say about this album is obvious, but she has a great voice, such a rich tone, and the songwriting is great. the sound is warm and powerful and I’m glad I’ve gotten to hear more than just Fast Car now

Tracy Chapman you’re a little too Tracy Chapman for me.

First time listening to this whole album. It's no surprise that the songs that stray away from the 80s tropes have endured better, but this is still a top-tier album.

Such a fantastic album. Listened to it twice. Love her power and soulful emotion.

very nice, very chill. hat mir sehr gefallen, baba spliffer tracks auch.

A lot of lyrics I resonated with, it wasn't flashy because it didn't need to be and I loved it and it added to how vulnerable? and open the album felt. I need to stop reading reviews while actively listening to an album for the first time because the more I read about “secretary rock” the more misogynistic the label sounded even with all of the disclaimers.

Tracy Chapman’s self-titled debut album is an absolute masterclass in folk-rock storytelling, proving itself to be a timeless, "no misses" masterpiece from start to finish. Anchored by Chapman’s uniquely beautiful, resonant voice, the record seamlessly balances deeply somber social commentaries with incredibly groovy, smooth musicianship. Iconic classics like the romantic, bittersweet "Fast Car" and the urgent "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" set a high bar, but the album's brilliance lies just as much in its deeper cuts. Whether she is tackling systemic failures acapella on the chillingly relevant "Behind the Wall," blending marimba and bongos into the exceptional sonic landscape of "Mountains of Things," or letting her vocals soar over the complementary arrangements of "Baby Can I Hold You," Chapman delivers an emotionally gripping experience that concludes with a beautifully decent farewell on "For You."

Nice enough but not really my thing.

No notes. Beautiful

Really enjoyed this album and will likely listen to more Chapman going forward. She’s Got Her Ticket & Baby Can I Hold you were standouts for me. Interesting to read how she was discovered and her journey with Brian Koppelman! Happy listening all!

Another that I enjoyed more than expected. Great lyrics, unique voice

Oh dear. Protest songs. I hope she has given away All the money she has made to the people she is singing about. That would be nice wouldn't it?

I liked this more than I thought and hadn't realised I knew more of her singles already. Good album, tunes lyrics.

I like this album a lot but I don’t think it’s a 5 for me. It’s got a nice easy going folk vibe to it, with some hard hitting lyrics, but inly a few songs I can remember Fast car smacks tho I will be learning how to play this on guitar

i sort of like this

Genuinely brilliant. Should probably give it a 4, but I know after another listen, it will be a 5. So good, song after song. She didnt miss once.

Classic.

3.5

Wonderful album. Beautifully done.

Good.

Schöner Vibe, kam mir vieles auch schon sehr bekannt vor, kann man öfter hören.

A great acoustic folk-rock album with simple, steady beats and no flashy production. Her deep voice and excellent storytelling just draw you in and keep you listening.

Didn’t really love the songs, and personally, the voice is really killing me

1988. Discovered by a fellow student whose dad owned a successful publishing company. She refused but he eventually promoted her recordings to radio stations. Got turned down by a bunch of record labels, until she signed a contract with Elektra Records.

Nice, pleasant music, not real change in pace or energy to hold my attention.

Although it's one of her big hits, Baby Can I Hold You stood out. Great album. 4/5

A really special album, the first two tracks being especially wonderful. So much emotion in her voice it is outstanding. Just brilliant. Favourites: Talkin' bout a revolution Fast Car Baby Can I Hold You For Yiu

Alright music. Not sure I would've realized it was a female singer on a few of the tracks.

A couple flashes of standout tracks here but definitely a similar design on most of these songs which creates a bit of a boring effect on the B side of the album. I also don’t find her writing particularly moving. This is especially true on tracks that are supposed to be the “best” on the album. The writing feels immature. Perhaps it’s the love of Dylan in me that’s making me jaded but the lyrics lack depth. I think of a song like “North Country Blues” from him that SHOWS me something rather than simply telling me how to feel. The whole album sounds like a student who just read the communist manifesto for the first time. This is especially true of “Talking About a Revolution.” It’s too bad because I like the tune, but just can’t get past the lyrics. Ironically the track that seems to break the framework of the rest of the album the most “Mountain O’Things” is probably my favorite.

I would also like to express my disdain for that particular secretary rock guy

This goes deep

For You

Album #175 Tracy Chapman Tracy Chapman’s self-titled album is one of the most peculiar classic albums that I have heard. Not only is it a folksy singer-songwriter album, which went mainstream in the late 80s, which famously was not a time that was generous to soft introspective music; but it also came from a complete unknown artist. They say that we are all born to make one album, and we have our whole lives to make our first; Tracy Chapman is the prime example of this; this was the only album she was born to make. It feels like a very personal and political album, yet at the same time universal themes and relatability seep from each song. Obviously the hits are all-timers, with Fast Car specifically being one of the finest songs ever written, but the whole album is able to keep up a commendable pace. Definitely one of those albums that will hit a whole lot harder depending on your mood. Best Songs: Fast Car, Talkin’ Bout a Revolution, Baby Can I Hold You Worst Song: For You Score out of 10: 8.5

So many of the stories on this album are painful so I can't say that I had a super fun listening experience but I appreciate that this exists and I think it should be listened to at least once which is arguably the exercise here.

“Fast Car” is timeless. “Baby Can I Hold You” is horribly dated. Fortunately the former outweighs the latter.

Not a fan of her music

ok not wow

This was lovely. Poignant; maybe more so now than when it came out.

Breathtaking. I only really knew Fast Car (and the cover of Baby Can I Hold You) before. Really beautiful voice, and the songs still sound really fresh. And unfortunately still so very relevant.

Finally, one that I've already listened to! I love this album so fucking much, I love her voice, its like cream, I love her poetry, her lyrics. I cannot emphasise how much this album is a must-listen. If you rated this anything less than 5, you need to seriously reconsider yourself, and then maybe section yourself.

Classic. Beautiful album

It's fine, I really don't get why she's on here twice

enjoyable

Pass

It's nice, if a little morose. Was a unique sound within popular music at the time. It was certainly new to me back then. However there's a lot of other stuff from that era that I prefer.

not my thing, once again

I understand why people like this album but it's just not my thing. It's just not musically interesting to me and I find her voice and singing style kind of boring.

As soon as I started to play this it took me back to '88. The album still rocks

I think there were three songs on this album I hadn't heard before and it doesn't include "Give Me One Reason. Damn depressing but beautiful. "Behind the Wall" is truly depressing.

I remember having it in cassette,was in the navy back then ,3.5 /5 for me .

I randomly bought this a few years ago - I think because I liked Fast Car - and its a great song that showcases her voice wonderfully. The other two big singles are very strong also : Talkin’ Bout a Revolution and Baby Can I Hold You Tonight. Unfortunately the rest of the album is pretty forgettable and bad eighties production.

Who doesn't love Tracy? Fast Car is an iconic song. Its a pleasant listen with some decent tunes.

I kind of wanted to like it more but was still good!

album #64 a truly timeless album; the guitar feels almost buttery in how she plays. a really lovely album and well crafted! tracy's voice is ethereal and smooth and oh so warm. it's also gut wrenching in many ways, not least because of the lack of change since this album was released. ꩜ average track rating: 3.8/5 ꩜ favourite track(s): mountains o' things, why ꩜ least favourite track(s): baby can i hold you ꩜ album rating: ★★★★☆ ꩜ number of albums left to review: 1,025 ꩜ number of albums from the list that i agree with being on the list: 32 (+1 Tracy Chapman) ꩜ albums from the list that I would consider on my list: 13 (+1 Tracy Chapman) ꩜ albums from the list I won't include on my list: 51

Like many I expect I was only familiar with Tracy Chapman from Fast Car. Well. Wow, what a voice, what a writer. Superb.

A beautiful album. Every song is a delicate balance of singer/songwriter, folk, and roots. The vocal performance isn't over the top. It hits just the right notes. The instrumental backing is subtle and supportive. Wonderful songwriting.

I’d only heard ‘Fast Car’ before, but this album really made an impression on me. In an era of fakeness and brash individualism in so much of society that was reflected in music, Chapman sounds like a prophetic corrective to a society gone wrong. Here instead we get gentle but arresting songs about longing to escape from difficult personal situations and a desire for political change- ‘Talkin’ Bout a Revolution’ was probably my highlight, on that note. The middle is a bit weaker so this is a slightly generous 5*, but it grabbed me, and I’ll reward it for that.

This album starts very strongly with two fantastic tracks. Lyrically the album is strong throughout, with incisive social commentary, and tales of people escaping difficult situations. While the rest of the album never quite lives up to the strength of the first two tracks, there are still some great moments with 'Mountains O' Things' and 'Baby Can I Hold You' being the best of the rest.

Starts really strongly with ‘Talkin’ ‘bout a Revolution’, the utterly brilliant classic ‘Fast Car’, and ‘Across the Lines’. But then, after the haunting, acapella ‘Behind the Wall’ there’s a run of tracks that are pretty good but that I didn’t love production-wise: ‘Baby Can I Hold You’, ‘Mountains o’ Things’ (although lyrically it’s excellent) and ‘She’s Got Her Ticket’. Most of the time Chapman’s social commentary and storytelling is really effective, but occasionally it comes across as a bit simplistic or naive, such as on ‘Why?’ The final three tracks end the album strongly, however. Just enough for 4 stars.

*Very soulful sound *Fast car is a gem

Otro exitosisimo disco que sono hasta el artasgo .Nunca me detuve ni un segundo a "escucharlo".Hasta hoy .Mi barrera idiomatica es un problema para valorar una obra que no esta en mi lengua y cuando el estilo de las canciones no me generar curiosidad ,pasa esto .Dejo que se me escapen hermosisimas obras con mensajes poderosisimos.(esto va ser copiar y pegar en muchos álbumes de esta lista por lo que veo) es una oportunidad de revisar mi mundo musical y agregar canciones revalorisadas de una forma que no hubiese sido posible de no ser por este juego.

Bueeeeno, ya la 2da canción me genera cosas, Fast Car es esa canción que queres escuchar para estar tranquilo en donde te imaginas cosas lindas Maybe Together we can get somewhere, any place is better. Muy romántico con un género que no es romántico en sí pero que cuando la guitarra se roba el protagonismo suena como si fuera. Me hace acordar a The Fray. La voz de Chapman es demasiado sensible, única. Top Picks: 1- Fast Car 2- Behind the Wall (es como escucharlo en vivo y en directo acústico) 3- For My Lover (que más decir de esta canción, suena muy intensa y directa)

This record is not really my speed, but it’s hard to pick it apart too hard from a quality standpoint. The lyrics are not really resonant with me so much, but they’re not dumb. The music I’m actually kind of into (sort of Toad the Wet Sprocket-esque at points). I kind of appreciate Tracy’s unique vocal quality. I understand why this record could be included here, even if it’s not really what I’m into. 7/10

Simple, deep, beautiful. 9/10

Fire

Classic.

Beautiful, political, powerful. Succinct and articulate, this album captures the softer side of sorrow and anguish. Tracy Chapped her last man with this one. Reminds me of this classic bit that asks the question, "When is Tracy Chapman going to come out with a new Fast Car?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsvPUCNTjVc

This album is really simplistic, but in a good way. The lyrics are poignant and not really sappy at all, the voice is unique and interesting and the songwriting is solid. I’m not gonna say it’s the best thing I’ve ever heard but it’s ahead of the time (I always thought Tracy Chapman was a 90s phenomenon), not full of itself, and well written/performed. It’s one of the better singer/songwriter albums we’ve had in here.

What a voice. This is some folk music I can get behind.

nice singer-songwriter record. great $1 bin find

This is an 80s classic. A young black woman talking about a revolution.

An album to stir memories of the late 1980s. It sounds as powerful today. The album was a stunning debut and Fast Car is a fabulous song. I haven't tracked Tracy Chapman since, so it was a joy to return to her eponymous work.

I built bridges to this track. Quite literally

Not a weak song on the album. Surprisingly easy on the ear given the strength of views in the lyrics. Stone cold 5*. 5*

pretty solid

Lidt ligegyldigt

Classic wel. Tracy Chapan als naam doet mij altijd vermoeden dat ik naar Jazz ga luisteren. Heel gek, want ik weet dat totaal niet het geval is? Maar blijkbaar wekt die naam Jazz in mijn hoofd op. Vermakelijke plaat, veel diverse sounds op deze plaat en altijd genieten van de bijzondere stem van Tracy.

An album I want to love more than I do. Those first few songs are incredible, total classic material, but the second half of the record is weirdly forgettable. But it’s got “Fast Car,” and that’s a hell of a win.

i feel especially bad about this rating because i respect this album a lot but it's just not music i find myself enjoying listening. i'm sorry fave track: if not now...

Went into this going "ugg I hate Fast Car" but after actually listening to it closely for the first time and seeing its place in the album, I have a new respect for its message even if I still don't think its an amazing song. It is heartbreaking that this album from 1988 sings about how close we are to some real change in America but here I am in 2026 with the death of the Middle Class approaching and the K shaped econ booming.

Not a big fan

A few pleasant ditties, but it's no that good.

I knew Fast Car going into this (who didn't?) and on the way out, I know Fast Car is all this album really has going for it. It's a good song; putting it in the context of the album doesn't make it better. Or worse, I guess. 2/5 then.

It nice with beautiful lyrics but in totally not make me impressvie

Tracy Chapman’s voice transcends time. She is a remarkable songwriter, guitarist, and singer whose work still feels deeply relevant today. We are fortunate to continue appreciating her artistry decades later. Her appearance at the 2024 Grammy Awards was, by far, the best surprise of the year for me.

Eg har et spesielt hat til den ene sangen på dette albumet kjent som fast car eller noe i den dur og har derfor ikke hørt hele albumet

mucho acapella

teamo Tracy Chapman, gracias por uno de los mejores álbumes hasta ahora. 4.5

I had a feeling I could be someone

1. "Fast Car" 2. "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" 3. "Mountains o' Things"

Ok

fav songs: fast car sincere, polished, thoughtful 50/100

great album, Chapman is a brilliant songwriter, the two lead singles, Talkin 'bout a Revolution and Fast Car are classics.

Fast Car and baby can i hold you, wow what a throwback. All time tracks

It shouldn't be surprising that the album that gave us Fast Car is incredible, but I have been doing this list long enough to know one fantastic song doesn't equal fantastic album. Chapman deftly balances folk and pop in an album that is accessible without sacrificing any of the gravitas and soul. Just simply an immaculate record that is sadly as relevant as it is today as the day it came out.

Ce l'ho!!

Very pretty sounding music, but not for me.

Die US-amerikanische Singer-Songwriterin Tracy Chapman legte 1988 eines der folgenreichsten Debütalben der Dekade vor. Innerhalb von acht Wochen in den Powertrax Studios in Hollywood, Kalifornien aufgenommen und von David Kershenbaum produziert, erschien das Werk im April 1988 bei Elektra Records – zu einer Zeit, in der akustische Gitarre und ein einziges Mikrofon als kommerzielle Selbstmordmission galten. Das Label hatte recht, es trotzdem zu wagen. Die elf Songs des Albums sind strukturell einfach gehalten: Chapmans Gitarrenspiel bleibt bewusst karg, der Gesang sitzt nie auf dem Effekt, sondern in der Aussage. „Fast Car" schildert das Scheitern an einem American Dream, der für viele gar keiner ist; „Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" flüstert Klassenpolitik in eingängigen Refrains; „Behind the Wall" behandelt häusliche Gewalt ohne Musik – a cappella, ungeschützt. Dass alle drei Stücke auf demselben Album existieren und trotzdem kohärent wirken, spricht für die Geschlossenheit der künstlerischen Vision. Das Album wurde nach Chapmans Auftritt beim Nelson-Mandela-Konzert in Wembley im Sommer 1988 zum weltweiten Phänomen – ein Auftritt, der notgedrungen stattfand, weil Stevie Wonder kurzfristig absagen musste. Drei Grammy Awards, Platz eins in mehreren Ländern, über 20 Millionen verkaufte Exemplare: Zahlen, die wenig über die eigentliche Qualität sagen, aber erklären, warum dieses Album bis heute als Maßstab für politisch engagierte Popmusik gilt. Ein Debütalbum, das keinerlei Eingewöhnungszeit braucht – es trifft sofort, und es bleibt.

New favorite singer! Love her voice. Very powerful lyrics. Music was great as well. Definitely listening to more of her

Lovely voice and nice song writing. Probably needs more listens.

My first thoughts were, "this is the lady that did Fast Car" and "I think this is gonna be pure, acoustic folk." The first one was right, the second one, not so much. Interesting how the next few songs after Fast Car fell squarely in the 80s pop sound. I really like the vibe of the opening track and hoped for an album that had a similar vibe, but it ended up turning into that Suzanne Vega record I had a few months ago.

Je me suis pris une claque sur les 5 premiers sons, une vrai claque. Malgré cette claque je peux pas donner un 5 à cause du ventre mou du 6eme et 7eme son. Qui ne sont pas nuls, loin de là, mais pas à la hauteur du reste de l'album pour moi. Et j'ai vérifié mes autres 5 et c'est tous des no-skip (ou juste parfait hors 1 skip). Cet album est le 4 le plus proche du 5 que j'ai noté jusque là. Je réécouterai pour sûr.

Bit dull

A brilliant album, full of brilliant songs sung by a legend with a brilliant voice What's not to love? An easy 5 stars

Iconic album with iconic songs. And her courage to come out will always be something I admire

Such a voice and talent. Very chill album.

Chapman's got a great voice. Fast Car is a damn tear-jerker. Sincere music. Not bad at all.

Listening session: may 18th, while crocheting Listened to before: listened to one song before Thoughts: Tracy Chapman has got a great voice and Fast Car will forever be iconic, but this wasb’t anything more than just enjoyable for me Favourite tracks: Fast Car, Baby Can I Hold You & For You

talkin bout a revolution, mountains o' things, and for my lover are my faves on this. tracy is based af. i wish this was mixed a bit better because there's lots of good instrumentation, but it can be hard to hear. but the songwriting is fantastic.

It's decent but not that exciting

Class

Really consistant acoustic folk sound throughout. Fast Car and Mountains O Things were my favs. Surprised by the heartfelt social justice themes. It was nice to hear music about that instead of bragging about being rich and consumerist in today's pop and rock.

No sabía que estos temones eran de ella. "Fast Car" me encanta pero todo el álbum es muy bueno. Lo único este tipo de albums buenos son los que prefiero que sean más largos. Pero bueno la seguiré escuchando.

Much better than I remember. Also way more political and socially relevant today than I would’ve hoped.

Had this ablum back in the day. Its well written, string olayers, well produced. But its always been a bit meh for me.

beautiful voice, touching lyrics, but i struggled with the music. i can understand why this is a special album, and i'm kind of sad that it's not really my cup of tea

No sabía que Fast Car era de él. Me gustó bastante el álbum.

As pleasant as it ever was

Great debut album

this was pretty good!

It was very good

Heart breaking. Don't know if this is a throw on in the background type album

I've heard so many "political" albums in my life, nearly all of them by punk bands. Nothing wrong with that, but they're clearly preaching to the already converted. No normie is ever going to hear your message if you're screeching it over loud guitars which sound like cats are running up and down the strings. Which is why folk is a better medium for political messaging. At least you're not putting off normies with horrible noises. Tracy Chapman was huge for a couple of years. Her messages of hope may have cut through and converted a few people to the side of the angels, which is why she was important. Good job, Tracy! Having said that, I found this a little bit too "coffee table folk" for my tastes.

Feeling good

3.5 An incredible voice, obviously, “Fast Car” IS a perfect song. It’s kinda wild to see how wildly influential Chapman has been to modern artists, her legacy has only grown over time. That being said, I mostly don’t LOVE the songs in the first half (“Fast Car” notwithstanding). I think the songwriting opens up in the second half, but I find some of the “issue” songs a little clumsy and on-the-nose, but I’ll also readily admit not a ton of artists were writing truthfully about stuff like that at the time.

It makes sense this popped off in the 80s but I have never been a fan of Fast Car and overall I don’t really enjoy Tracy Chapman’s voice. I felt like this was kind of boring…

so wonderful, love her voice. first time listening beyond fast car and i am in love.

One of those albums I dismissed when it was released, mainly because my parents liked it, but listening to it now I actually quite enjoyed this. Perhaps a little bit too much like polite middle-class dinner party music, but that has its place.

Not totaly my thing, but I can see how people love it and how it deserves to be on this list. 3

She is talented. very talented. not my speed.

Moody and pleasant.

Pleasant enough but her voice does grate on me after a while.

I didn’t listen to the full thing but Tracy was boring me

Enjoyed this and listened through twice.

[NEVER LISTENED BEFORE]

Really like first two songs. I wish I liked more of rest. Very solid 3 star

It's high time we all stopped listening to fast car

Bu kadın bana babamı hatırlatıyor anısı çok güzel

muy buen álbum tranquilo que tiene todas las vibras a los 80

Amazing album! I loved it

Overall Rating - 3.50/5 (7.00/10). This has a very folk country feel. I like it.

A capa é ruim, mas a música compensou.

Some great themes here, and interesting voice. Can't really see revisiting it though.

Increible letra, mezcla de blues y folk tremenda. Muy lindo

An album where you're hooked from the start by the great voice and melodies. Not much fuzz to go around, just a voice, a guitar, some drums and it's enough. Favorite Songs: Talkin' bout a Revolution ; Fast Car

Day 39 — Tracy Chapman — Tracy Chapman (1988) Listened: May 10–18, 2026 Genre: Folk / Acoustic Soul / Protest Folk Vibe: Spare and devastating — one woman, an acoustic guitar, and plainspoken lyrics about poverty, injustice, and escape that hit harder for what they leave out. Highlights: ★ Talkin' Bout a Revolution • Fast Car • Across the Lines • Baby Can I Hold You • Mountains O' Things • She's Got Her Ticket • Why? • For My Lover Impression: Really enjoyed it and kept coming back to it — it grew with every listen. The lyrics hit hard, asking real questions about fairness and justice with a purity that feels rare. Talkin' Bout a Revolution edges out Why? as the favorite but both are the reason this album matters. Stripped down, soulful, and her voice is just beautiful. Nothing feels manufactured. Where does music like this even exist anymore. Rating: 3.9/5 Keep songs? Yes Revisit album? Definitely

meu irmao nao vou mentir, so tem uns 3 bangers nessa porra, e um puta album forte com um tema empactante pra caramba, mas nao fez o estilo do papai aqui, 7/10 pela força que tem nesse album, mas NO BANGER!!!

Buenas melodias.

Listened to this one before, very good one. Favourite is “Why?”.

I did not know Tracy Chapman had that much weight on the lyrics

She alright

I remember "Revolution" playing everywhere, all the time in the late 80s and early 90s. I used to love that song, and I still do, so I was kind of excited to hear the rest of the album. Unfortunately most of the other songs don't work that well for me. I really have nothing bad to say about this album or Tracy Chapman. She really has a voice, and she's really good at what she does. It's a beautiful album, but it's just too folksy for me ; I've never been a lyrics-oriented listener, so the "lone singer with basic instrumentation" configuration tends to bore me quickly, no matter how good they are. I can enjoy a handful of songs, but a whole album of this is just too much for me. A nice effort, but too far removed from the kind of music I love. 4/10

C'est un bon album avec une belle voix sincère que j'aime bien écouter de temps à autres qui mériterait presque 4 étoiles... mais il manque un petit je ne sais quoi qui fait que cet album me plait vraiment. Je lui mettrai donc un 3.6 => arrondi a 4, car c'est tout de même bien meilleur que plein d'albums à qui j'ai mis 3 et également moins bien que d'autres à qui j'ai mis 4 étoiles. Mais est ce qu'on parle de révolution ? :-)

This came out in 1988 but no shiny production, no overload, just a voice, a guitar and honest songs. Tracy Chapman sounds completely sincere, but after a while, the same calm, clean tone can feel a bit flat emotionally.

One of the most important blues songs of the 1980s - fast car. To my ears more authentic than the macho posturing of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Tracy takes her guitar and tells you rather than shows off about it. Not all the songs are as strong as fast car but - you write one half as good. It’s still a great album. 4.5 rounded up. 1500999000 with fast car.

They are nice songs and she's got good progressive politics. But nice does not make great. A whole album of this, I think not. While listening I thought of two artists, wholly inoffensive but whose massive popularity belies their otherwise quite ordinary abilities: Norah Jones (who I think was ballistic huge around the same time as Tracy) and the inexplicable Ed Sheeran. Tracy is a bit like that. Her other problem in this listing is coming hot on the heels of life changing artists, Dolly et al. As the PE would say, don't, don't, don't, don't believe the hype.

I pulled my copy off the shelf, aware that I haven't given this a spin in quite a few years and saw that 'Talkin Bout a Revolution' and 'Fast Car' are the opening tracks. "Ha", I thought to myself, "they frontloaded the good songs." But as I was listening, there was one memorable song after another. Slightly overproduced (in my opinion), but not distractingly so. Occasionally tending towards didacticism in a 'Sociology 101' kind of way. But these are forgivable sins, and there are half a dozen really strong songs on this record. And then there is 'Fast Car'. Where a song like 'Why?' seems like well-intentioned but heavy-handed youthful polemic, 'Fast Car' tells the Black working-class experience in a series of deftly drawn details grounded in reality. This is an absolute masterclass in powerful songwriting and one of the greatest songs of the decade. Ann-Derrick Gaillot, writing in Pitchfork, said: "After its release, critics praised the album for its overtly political focus, hailing it as popular music’s return to authentic artistry. But Tracy Chapman didn’t change the course of a Top 40 ecosystem in tune with the era’s glorification of wealth and greed. Rather, the album was produced in isolation from popular music, and in defiance of it. She wasn’t a herald of change within the industry so much as she was an example of the innovation to be found outside of it. In pop music at the time, there was no archetype with which to classify the kind of artist Chapman was. ... And while a wave of socially critical singer-songwriters did follow her—like Ani DiFranco, Melissa Etheridge, Liz Phair, and Fiona Apple—it would be several more years before another Black woman with an acoustic guitar, Lauryn Hill, caught the world’s sometimes unwanted attention." Great album and massively successful, but it's a shame that the industry ensured it was an outlier. There should have been more like it. I was going to rate this four until I listened to it again. The proof is in the listening; it's a five.

A great album. Amazing voice and deep feelings

I can't stand Tracy Chapman.

When to listen: in a bubble bath after a long day of secretarial duties, obviously. Gorgeous album.

Very gender neutral voice to my ear, I have never heard her music before and legitimately thought I was listening to a man for most of the album. Songs are nice and short and to the point, very easy to listen to. Nice mix of mild tribal with country elements (I'm probably wildly wrong on that, but that's what it sounds like to me)

Fast Car is an all time classic, but there is a lot to love here. Tracy Chapman’s voice is so lovely and while the music is very simple, the lyrics are very rich. Great listen and definitely one I’ll continue to come back to

me gustó, cuenta una historia que me pareció muy gringa pero el man canta bien y los temas están bacanitos

One of my favorites. Whole album is a masterpiece!

Obviously Fast Car is a masterpiece in itself. Tracy Chapman sings about all the problems she sees in the world, from domestic abuse to racism to sexism. I personally found Behind the Wall to be pretty powerful. Mountains O' Things was one track that stuck with me for whatever reason. I don't know that I have ever heard another song take on our consumer society in that way, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I felt like throughout the rest of this album I found myself feeling bored. I am not sure if the quality dropped off, or I can just listen to so much Tracy Chapman, but I didn't find myself enjoying it at the end. I found For You to be very weak compared to the rest of the release. However, don't let this take away from the brilliance that this album opens up with.

Vert personal album touching on strong topics of homelessness, domestic violence, women's rights and inequity. Unfortunately, she was a shooting star and never achieved the same after this one. Did have this album when it came out.

Simple, yet incredibly powerful. Not much more to say. One of my top 5 favorites so far.

Classic

One of the albums which is totally timeless. Each song stands out and is still relevant.

got halfway through whoops. Good! not my thing

Very poignant record that still has a lot to say almost 40 years later. Shows just how forward thinking Chapman was for her time. There's probably never been a vocalist quite like Tracy Chapman and her debut shows her incredible song writing as well as her extraordinary vocal talent. Fast Car continues to be the big hit from this record, but cuts like Baby Can I Hold You and Why really stood out to me.

Hit after hit after hit, such minimal production. So good.

incredible storytelling and social commentary. it's just so vivid. might not be everyone's cup of tea, but this album is influential is thirty different ways.

aarrrgghhhh i respect her SO much and i was READY to give this 5 stars but it's just sailing past me. IM SORRY TRACY

I can understand why this record is on the list. Nonetheless, it's just boring to me.

the Joni Mitchell’s Blue of the Greater Boston metropolitan area

Great album, incredibily ahead of her time.

Oh my gid I can’t actually believe I haven’t listened to this album in it entirety before. It is amazing!

Ok, so... wtf!? It’s mind-blowing to me that I haven’t heard anything from Tracy Chapman until now. The only song that sounded remotely familiar was 'Fast Car'—and what a masterpiece it is! This is a beautiful album from start to finish; it’s so emotional that I almost started crying on the bus. This record proves that simplicity goes a long way. The lyrics are stunning and, sadly, they are still just as relevant in today’s world. Tracy has a unique way of transmitting emotion without trying to 'over-impress' with her vocals. It feels raw and authentic. There’s a certain quality to her voice—it almost sounds like she’s bored, but in the best way possible. It’s as if the things she’s singing about have left her feeling numb, and I really love that vibe. This is going straight into my heavy rotation.

Quality stuff.

Went into this not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. The album is not something I would have given a listen just going off of the genre, but it did not disappoint.

que ma came

No. 398/1001 Talkin' Bout a Revolution 4/5 Fast Car 5/5 Across the Lines 5/5 Behind the Wall 3/5 Baby Can I Hold You 5/5 Mountains O‘ Things 4/5 She's Got Her Ticket 4/5 Why? 4/5 For My Lover 5/5 If Not Now 4/5 For You 4/5 Average: 4,27 Just a great and still relevant album.

Le prime 3 canzoni sono incredibili, sempre presenti fra i cd del mauro e dopo intense sessioni di carvate nella neve col bruno

Conoscevo letteralmente 3 canzoni sue. Album incredibilmente bello, ad ogni ascolto guadagna punti

Certainly nice, easy listening but a bit "soft" more me.

Generic black lesbian whatever. Not interested

Listened in the car and walking through Costco. What a disarmingly beautiful album. I had only previously heard Fast Car and loved the variety of different songs on this one. Will listen again!

Fast Car is good, the rest isn't bad but probably would not come back to it

Yearning and intimate. It was pretty good. Favourite Track(s): Fast Car, Behind the Wall Least Favourite Track(s): Baby Can I Hold You

Another one of mom’s favorites but I didn’t have the emotional reaction that previous selections gave me. The songs that work the best here are the ones that are written and treated like the urban “folk” songs that fit her voice and style best. Unfortunately it seems some producer had to get involved and try to produce much of it like some kind of ersatz pop album which really doesn’t work. The touches are overwrought, stylistically divergent, and in places just corny as hell. I’d say it falls in a category overall of did-not-age-well. Slight bump because the stories are interesting when she focuses on them.

Not really my thing, but a decent record nonetheless.

Fast Car is the most popular song from this album, but there are other gems as well, starting with "Talkin' Bout a Revolution." One thing I noticed on this listen that I hadn't before is how crisp the bass playing is on many of the tracks. "Across the Lines" has a really pleasant bass line that really accentuates the fretless bass tone. The bass line on "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" makes use of harmonics as well, a small detail I'd never noticed on previous listens of this album. Musically, this album is pretty solid, but it's really the lyrics and production style that make "Tracy Chapman" stand out as an album. Coming out in 1988, most of the popular music of the time was either very pop-y or hair metal, which makes "Tracy Chapman" stand out quite a bit, stylistically.

The songs definitely all had a similar sound and feel but I liked that sounds and feel so

This album gives OG Winnipeg weather channel vibes, where Fast Car lived and breathed for years. Until it was ultimately retired I guess, due to the invention of the smart phone and weather app. RIP to the glorious red/blue and green screen with the robotic looking white all caps text. Iconic if you ask me. Tracy is also iconic, but kind of gives you the same energy throughout, very easy listening though. A lovely (and very unique) voice with some jazzy, groovy backing instrumentation. Cant go wrong with Mrs. Chapman.

i only knew a few songs of Tracy Chapman before this album, that I loved wholeheartedly and after this I can safely say that I became to love her music as a whole

nice

Pretty good, but I didn't like all songs.

This hit me harder than I thought it would. Some tracks were definitely better than others but overall it was really nice.

Good songs and production - Perfect lenght too

Chapman has great vocals and undeniable songwriting talent. Her music doesn't do too much for me, though. I think it had a lot more impact when juxtaposed with the late 80s music it broke away from instead of how I hear it now. I like it, but not much more than that. There are some really strong songs here. Fast Car is iconic and stands the test of time. I also liked Why? and For My Lover quite a bit. Some of the other tracks were a bit boring for me, though. The album has a strong start and a good few pockets of songs. I think the middle section dragged a bit, though. So, yeah. I liked this one without loving it. I know that it had a big impact when it came out. I feel like countless artists have spent the last few decades trying to imitate Chapman's style, and none have really come close. But as a whole it's just not really up there for me. Overall: 3.1/5

Chapman's voice is soulful and robust and her songwriting is fantastic. Couldn't get enough of this album, I listened to it the entire time I was off work today

Understand it's attraction from it's comfy feel and mostly meaningful lyrics, but just not for me

5 Stars. Only This Note.

So many great songs

the album is simple and that is not a problem but to simple it must be well made and it is not but it is still okay on its genre which i am not a enjoyer nut kinda mid ngl

A few nice songs. Probably more for background dinner party music than something I’d put on for my listening pleasure.

Really good album. Strong messages and themes. Very clear singing.

Un album parfait pour le printemps. Une guitare, une voix et du talent. Belle expérience. Chansons favorites (pas dans l'ordre): Fast Car Baby Can I Hold You If Not Now...

oh i will be coming back to this one

no es mi tipo de música, me aburrió un poco

Early 90s student bedsit singer songwriter music. She does have a fantastic voice and is a good songwriter as shown by the fact that 'Baby Can I Hold You Tonight' was a hit for one of the big boy bands. But less than the sum of its parts and doesn't do much for me. 3.5 stars but rounding down to 3 stars.

maybe the first one of these pulls to make me cry? i can sense that if i was, like, a big folk enthusiast, this would be a perfect ten. even so, this is really killer. good show, ms. chapman.

4.5

One good tune...the rest mediocre

Never liked 'Fast Car' and didn't like the recent remake. Thought it was a boring song and also feel that much of the album is boring. Couple of listenable songs, but it's just not for me. Sorry - also apologies to my wife (not a secretary) for not liking this, but you knew that already. I'll give it a 2.25

3.5/5

What a truly beautiful set of songs.

Incredibly powerful lyrics and very relevant as well. With this I hated her more monotone style of singing.

Great album, you can tell a lot of authentic heart was put into this album. Very enjoyable and iconic, all around a good album.

Really good classic singer/songwriter album. Thematically, the album is very political and it's honestly pretty depressing that the lyrics are still relevant nearly 40 years later. The instruments do their job well of supporting and emphasizing the vocals when appropriate and staying out of the way when they should. Altogether, this is an exemplary album for the genre.

Oh fuck yes let’s go! Incredible: how have I only known Fast Car!? I remember the first time it made its way to one of my CDs, freshman year of college I think? Driving to Vass, windows down, probably getting one of 100 speeding tickets because I didn’t know I had adhd yet, singing about driving fast and unknown futures and fucking hell. Across the Lines, Behind the Wall, this whole opening to the album is perfect. Devastating, I hate that this was written the year before I was born and I haven’t gotten to see a world where every song doesn’t still hit. Also. Her VOICE. Magic.

This “Fast Car” is 100x better than the one the radio plays now. I also liked “Baby Can I Hold You.” 6/10

Album #83, Tracy Chapman, Tracy Chapman, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The only song I really knew going into this was “Fast Car.” Outside of that, I had no real familiarity with Tracy Chapman at all. So this ended up being a bit of a delight. It’s a really strong singer-songwriter album, and it feels quite unique in its sound. She’s a great singer, very hook-oriented, with loads of memorable moments throughout. There’s something about her melodies and those simple guitar patterns that just stick in your head straight away. It starts strong and ends strong, and I especially like the more straightforward love songs on it. The only issue for me is the middle section. Tracks like “Why?” and “Mountain O’ Things” lean a bit into being preachy. I respect the messaging, and It’s definitely a powerful album in terms of its themes, especially around poverty and social issues, but that stretch can feel a bit heavy-handed. That said, I don’t want to dwell on that too much. It’s a great singer-songwriter record and I’ll definitely be coming back to this one.

pretty much masterclass in songwriting. the first half is a triumph, and the second half gets a little muddled with the addition of other elements besides Chapman and a guitar. some 90s bullshit sprinkled throughout but not enough to break the vision. this is some good stuff

i liked it

One of the best albums of all time.

Not a big Tracy Chapman fan - liked one of her songs and that was it.

Beautiful voice, beautiful songs, lovely listening experience.

Trevlig röst och några bra låtar men inget som engagerar mig något djupare.

classic

Loved this he first time around and super grateful to have it come up as a suggestion. Simple, fabulous music and lyrics with a social conscience, veering into protest. Could not be more relevant if penned yesterday - in fact, I would argue even more so. Essential listening

277/1089 Fast Car is one of those songs that i’ve never gone out of my way to listen to but i enjoy it whenever it’s in a film/on the radio i enjoyed this album a fair bit, it’s a low 4/high 3 stars i think, the quality is there, the replayability is a bit low for me though faves: Fast Car, Mountain O’ Things, For My Lover 70/100

Heavy listen, but what a voice

lindo album, lindo mesmo, os sentimwntos na voz da Tracy, o violão e notas... lindo!!

This is an album that I've always wanted to listen to, but never did. I am glad I finally put this on. Great album, not only the melodies and Tracy vocal deliveries are great, but oh boy, the stories and lyricism on the lyrics shine bright as well. Fast Car is such a powerful song that after 30+ years was rerecorded and is still a massive hit. Long love AlphaFM (Brazilian radio)for still playing her music (usually the ones we love but have no idea who sings) . Classic and hidden gem at the samee time 5/5

Just meh. To all those who say “but the voice, but the lyrics”, hear me out: there’s nothing particularly interesting about her voice, and there’s nothing particularly interesting about the lyrics (maybe for Americans there is, all that socio-riot themes, but not for me; also, rhyming “America” with “America” is ridiculous). And even you guys agree that the music here is nothing to write home about. So, voice - ok, nothing impressive, lyrics - nah, music - nah, so what’s in it then?

Great! One of the best albums of the late eighties.

Demasiado interesante, además descubrí que una de las canciones Fast Car, el es el autor original

I've heard of Tracy Chapman but didn't really know her music, other than Fast Car. I'm glad she was on this list because this was a really solid album that will definitely be listening through again!

3.3

está bueno pero no me encanta siento q cada canción individualmenge me gustó pero al escuchar el álbum me aburrió un poco y eso w no es largo, pero en general está bueno