Reviews (page 4 of 15)
I really liked this…even as an old white dude, the lyrics alone are really powerful. But I enjoyed this even more musically. An enthusiastic 4 star rating from me.
Buen album, muy 80s todo y no es mi estilo pero canta lindo y transmite mucho la chabona. 6/10
8/10 Was not much of a fan of this, and then Bloody Boyzone came along and made "Baby Can I Hold You" unlistenable. It still makes me feel a little nauseous... Reassessed, this is a great album of singer-songwriting - there is a tangible vein of sadness that runs through it, as well as a controlled anger. Still struggle to listen to that song though
not my fav, pero me gusta que habla de cosas que le impactan. me sorprendio enterarme que era/es mujer!! me gusta su voz. no lo acabe al 100
very political for the time, love it
It wasn't for me then, it isn't for me now. As I get older though, Fast Car still remains one of the most human pieces of art I've seen.
Excellent 4/5
Another album on this list which I really should have listened to before, but I'm glad I did. This is a classic for a reason, Chapman's writing is beautifully earnest and touches on a number of important themes, both relating to social injustice and her own relationships. I also find the way she sings really makes me believe what she's saying. It's a shame folk musicians don't write as many protest songs as they did back Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan's time, so I appreciated this being kept alive in the 80s too.
Fast Car has been a love of mine since it came out, but I'd never listened to the album. And I missed out. Best song that's new to me: For My Lover. The way her voice wraps around the lyrics is a piece of heaven.
Que me toque este álbum un día de lluvia es todo lo que está bien. Lo que más me gusta de Tracy es su voz, es muy autentica y me parece que a su estilo de música le queda perfecto. Fast Car es un tema conocido hasta por las piedras. Baby Can I Hold You es una de las mejores canciones de los 80 para mi, me ENCANTA. Mi fav de este álbum claramente. Behind the Wall una canción acapella con una critica muy fuerte a la policía a través de una historia de violencia de género. Fuerte de escuchar. En general me parece un álbum que se deja escuchar muy bien. Las guitarras acústicas lo son TODO para mi. Me gustó la experiencia.
Bien, no me voló la cabeza pero esta bien a secas
Chulo
Leading with the best 2 songs, and by now most famous, gets this off to a good start. There’s something very earnest and likeable about her style and storytelling. Also, I have to say I did not know she wrote ‘Baby Can I Hold You’, this is a good song but sullied by Boyzone. Unfortunately, I find myself getting a little bored through the second half of this album, and it’s not a particularly long album but the style tends to drag a little.
Overall: 8/10 Very powerful. Tracy's lyrics touch on social issues in a very beautiful way, and her voice is astoundingly beautiful. This isn't something I want to listen to very often because it made me uncomfortable at times, but honestly that's probably what Tracy was going for in the first place. Fav Song: Why?
Don’t like!
An important album, that is quite interesting. Sometimes it sounds of its time and dated, (moutain of things is not great) but it taps in timelessness at plenty of other times. Probably nowhere more than with the political statements, that are still relevant today, which is incredibly sad. At the end of the day, I think she had stuff to say, said it in a simple way that is still vibrant. There is ambition and a point of view, but the album may lack a bit of originality musically to be a truly absolute standout.
This album will forever remind me of my mom. I can remember her putting on this cd to this day.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
What a lovely album. Ahead of its time for the 80’s and still great now. Fast Car alone 😍 4.5⭐️
Contemporary folk that still holds up almost 40 (!!!) years later.
Lyrics 4, songs 2
Cara, bem difícil de escutar. O começo foi muito repetitivo, parece música aleatória de rádio. Só diferenciou na Mountains O'Things, que teve de fundo uma percussão diferente, parece a OST de rei leão.
Was haar tijd 20 jaar vooruit
Voz leve e mensagem pesada
Sólido, ouve-se bem. Tem uns clássicos, mas as outras músicas não destoam
Tem muitos clássicos. Bom álbum
This takes me back to cold mornings staring out the foggy bus window wishing I was anywhere but on my way to school. I hated it in 1988 and I hate it now. 2/5
Good writer, nice singer, seems like a few songs are great, other so so.
Hauntingly beautiful.
no es mi estilo pero estuvo bueno
Classic American album through and through
One of my favorite albums EVER!!!
mostly great stuff but weirdly overproduced at times. fast car is perfect though obviously
apologies generator i was not familiar with your game. good footy. i'm coming to find that it's not that i hate her music, rather i hate the production techniques on most post outlaw pre garth brooks country. too 80s AOR. however. COMMA. the songs transcend the form. i hope i get a living color album so i can make the same complaint. 3.3-4.1.
Wonderful. Mostly a girl and her guitar. Beautifully stripped down deliveries of poignant songs. Fast Car still gives me goosies. Across The Lines made me weep. Mellow but in the best way.
I'm not a secretary, and I approve this album. Her voice is smooth and soulful. Her lyrics are a gut punch.
Icónica, guerrera, sensibla.
Love love love
wonderful. tracy's voice is a joy to listen to.
I could quite happily listen to this but wouldn’t include it in my own music collection.
Great songs, only one or 2 which are fairly average. A really nice album to listen to, I'd forgotten how good Tracy Chapman was.
Never listened to this album before. Some great songs and remarkable talent. Tails off a bit towards the end, but still enough to earn a 4 overall.
Favourite Songs: Talking Bout A Revolution Fast Car Mountains O' Things
Very good, the voices of her is magnetic in my opinion is the pilar that keep the album, some song are very good, actually I listen more than the last and surely I'll listen again.
its a really soul touching album, and its generally slow with the music focusing more on lyrics than melody. i personally dont reaaaally like it since melodic wise it just isnt something id listen to. i will admit though, lyrically this album is amazing so ill rate it 6/10
see I don’t hate it i like talking ‘bout a revolution nice song however i think it’s quite slow for my liking and there’s a lack of variety in instrumentation but i would listen again
I remember being very excited upon first hearing this (when it came out). But I haven't played it since. (Even being reminded of her part in 'LiveAid', I wasn't motivated to go and listen again.) And, while the album is 'worthy', it doesn't rock my world now. Lyrics are interesting in parts, but lots of repetition rather than development. Arrangements ditto. I’ll say it’s Good, 7/10.
4.5 stars
Very nostalgic album. I appreciate Tracys songwriting with the messages of social & political injustices. But im not a huge fan of the monotone singing song after song. I can only handle like 2 songs.
Beautiful voice, but only a couple of tracks that I come back to.
The messaging here is clear and powerful, with most of the themes still far too relevant too. Class struggle, poverty, racism, domestic violence. It's heavy stuff but it's handled with a light touch, an earnestness. Musically, we don't stray too far from a pop rock formula, there's certainly plenty of folk influence and other genres seep in as well. I like it. But outside of the best songs, I'm looking for maybe more intensity to match the fire and emotions in the lyrics. Favorites, in descending order, pretty much: Fast Car, Across the Lines, Mountains O' Things.
Yes, we all know Fast Car, but this was a surprisingly deep listen. A unique voice, interesting song structure and lyrics despite the very 80s production. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. A decent 4.
Took me way too many years to listen to this full album, love it.
Absolutely beautiful. Spreading revolution through music. An art.
Superb
Tracy has an amazing voice and powerful lyrics. Was happy to listen to this album in its entirety.
LOVE.
I don't know man, I guess it's fine. Seems like there are probably some meaningful lyrics and there's certainly sthg to be said for the minimalist aesthetic. But I just have no patience for it. Not right now anyway. Time & place I suppose. My watch says it ain't that time tho & looking around I can confirm this ain't the place. NEXT!
Beautiful voice singing brutally beautiful songs. Is fast car the greatest song ever written? No notes here.
I wouldn't say that I necessarily love all the songs on this album (some of the sound just isn't my thing), but wow this is a wonderfully composed album. There is a wide range showcased here and I enjoy the message of most of the songs. I was very impressed listening to this and even though I don't think I'll be revisiting the whole album any time soon I was shocked at how well made and passionate this was. (This was my first exposure to Chapman outside of Fast Car)
Some incredible and haunting songs - just shy of classic status
thinkin about niggers' wage gap 🙏
- I love Tracy Chapman; her voice and the music behind it are done beautifully - Transported me back to when my mom would play her songs all the time
Lowkey direct.
I've heard Fast Car so many times omg.
A pleasant listen, such a unique voice. Interesting to listen to this as an adult and comprehend the message being conveyed
i added 4 songs
Man, what a great album. I enjoyed every second of this. From the lyrics, to the instrumentation, to the overall feel; this guy sings from the soul.
2 stars
Thoughtful lyrics, but the music doesn't shine.
Oh, I remember it well when this album came out. It made a huge impact. Tracy Chapman became world-famous overnight thanks to the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert. The debut struck a chord with the spirit of the times: racism, social injustice, misogyny, the lack of prospects for the working class – all these were issues that played a major role in the politically charged 1980s. Add to that Tracy Chapman’s clever songwriting, her expressive voice and the – from today’s perspective – timeless production, which make the album a true singer-songwriter classic. Chapman was never able to replicate the commercial success of her debut, nor perhaps the extremely high artistic standard of this album. But she doesn’t need to, as this album already establishes her as one of the most significant female songwriters of the 1980s. It is shocking how relevant the lyrics still are. It’s as if 40 years haven’t passed…
The monologue song was cool. Other than that, I did not care for it much.
not for me
Boring and pretty mid the entire time. Nothing special but not absolutely terrible
de esos álbumes que traen recuerdos del pasado, de los que te ponen a pensar bonito!
Tracy’s got a great voice, it was a pretty great album. Fast Car is the highlight of the album to me but I really enjoyed Baby Can I Hold you as well!
3.5 - Good The album itself is ok, Fast Car brings it up to a 4
Damn, only knew two songs but this album blew me away. It seemed really prescient for today's times. 4.5/5
There are songs of grest subtlety and restraint here. Fast Car, Baby Can I Hold You, If Not Know are all gorgeous. Talking About a Revolution is up there with Lennon's Power to the People, Smith's People Have the Power and Guthrie's All You Fascists. But some other songs - Mountains of Things and Behind the Wall for instance - do get a bit preachy. Absolutely heart felt and sincere.
Poor are even poorer Trace mate
Not sure what I think of this yet. Great writing but I’m not into the music. Even so, it’s well done. Behind the Wall, Mountains of Things, and For my Lover were my favorites.
Some great songs but a lot of it musically is a very light touch. Not huge on the 80s production either on some of the more emotive tracks, takes you out of it. Much better when it’s stripped back (except Talkin’ Bout a Revolution which is just a stellar number)
not my cup of tea , but i respect the artistry. 2/5
estuvo bueno, sonaba bien y algunas canciones las reconoci lo que me sorprendio porque no me sonaba nada la portada. Me gusto pero tampoco me impresiono o encanto seria como un 6.5 o 7/10 creo
Talking about a revolution! FAST CAR! 4/5
I thinks this might be objectively good, but I don't like it.
Des paroles engagés, des mélodies acoustiques simples mais perfectionnées et surtout le chant de Tracy Chapman, vrai bon album acoustique. Très chill et s'écoute bien de bout en bout
A réécouter. J’ai pas été assez attentif pendant la première écoute. Album très chill, que je trouvais un peu boring… Mais y’a probablement du potentiel.
Este álbum lo petó literalmente, y con merecimiento. Tracy se erigió en la cantautora de protesta de su época, que ya hacían falta, y no necesitó pegar muchos gritos, protestó desde la sencillez, la sensibilidad y la emoción. “Fast Car”, “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution”, “Baby, Can I Hold You” o “For My Lover” son temazos eternos. De vez en cuando surgen figuras del folk que desde las raíces nos ponen en nuestro sitio y nos reconcilian con el ser humano cuando ya estamos perdiendo toda esperanza en él. Por todo eso, gracias, Tracy.
It feels like I'm on a roadtrip in south America. It's a mixture of hope that thrived in a simple environment. It's like the first sprout of spring. It's like lying in a field of daisies. It's like curious teenage years, sitting on the dance floor, enjoying the first prom you've ever had. You look up to the sky, and you feel like the stars are within reach... 'cause you're young and you're ambitious, and you're ready for anything.
Good. But not really my cup of tea.
09/10
I think I liked Chapman’s overall vocal performance here a lot more than most of the actual songs. I found myself wishing that a lot of these songs were like 20% slower and sadder. I think my actual score would be a 2.5, but I'll round up to a 3 because 'Fast Car' is good
Great songs and vocals
fast car wow, didnt realize this was tracy
un par de canciones podrían haber estado en la banda sonara de cars pero si tuviera escenas tristes o nostálgicas
Until I listened to this album, I did not know who Tracy Chapman was. I had heard her music before, but I'd never heard one of her albums in its entirety and didn't know about her activism. I certainly didn't know what she's won multiple Grammy awards. I knew "Fast Cars", but all of the other songs were new. The track about DV was really powerful and I had to pause and ask myself, "Why are we still dealing with this issue? It's 2026. This album is from 1988." But women's issues continues to be a problem and we are losing more of our rights under the current administration. I loved the musical style of this album, but I think part of the reason this album resonates with me so much is because of the current political climate. Her messages are poignant, wrapped in beautiful melodies and delivered in a way that you can listen on endless repeat.
liked the meaning behind the words, music and voice seemed contradictory? beautiful songs
This was so beautiful that I wish to listen to this album again.
I feel like this album is so much more than the ultra famous 'Fast Car' - Incredible, will definitely be listening again.
Fast Car is an incredible song. The rest of the album was pretty boring and I didn't like most of it. But 3 stars for Fast Car.
There was a lot to enjoy here -- varied melodies and stylings, a serene voice, thoughtful lyrics. But it also felt too lofty/preachy about *issues*. Even though I'm in agreement with much of what Chapman sang about, hearing on-the-nose lyrics was a little cringe at times. I think this album hovers between a 3 or 4 for me.
own
love tracy’s voice, the songs are great
Definitely deserves on this list!!
LOVE
such an amazing album! still as relevant and poignant in 2026
3/5 - unique voice, interesting use of instruments
"Fast Car" is great, and so is the rest of the album. Lyrically the album may be naive, but as a whole it's definitely worth a (re)listening.
In the late 1980s, synth-pop and hairy metal ruled the radio, so it's logical that many producers turned down Tracy Chapman's requests to record her quiet, semi-acoustic debut. Whoever took on this venture struck it big – the singer's simple, soft folk ballads about love, dreams of a better life, and social issues resonated so deeply with people that the album remains one of the best-sellers of all time. It all sounds truly pleasant, though Tracy's vocals are a bit peculiar, and if you don't like them, you'll likely tire of them by the middle. Yes, in places the lyrics contain completely naive, leftist messages, based on the juxtaposition of rich and poor and black and white. On the other hand, the artist was 24 years old when the album was released. At that age, you can still fight for all that's good against all that's bad.
Heard Before? Only the singles. Notes: - mostly strum-and-hum ballads. not always my thing. at least there is a strong attempt at variety. - the adult-contemporary production style is an instant turn-off, and the arrangements are bland. - not the strongest songwriting, structurally, or at least no surprises. - however, her performance is perfect and the lyrics are strong, if not subtle. it helps that i agree with her and anything that shows how the personal is political. Verdict: A fantastic vocalist and lyricist fed into the major label machine of the day. Listen Again? I feel like I always say this, but I'll certainly check out some of her other albums, if not this one again.
Great! I recognised more songs than I expected. Incredible album. Very soulful
Everyone only know fast car but don't realize it's a piece of a greater project Chapman 's humble demeanor shows how great of an album this is.
So sad her political songs got short shrift. I find them much better than the love songs. A beautiful voice always though.
'Fast car' is natuurlijk een banger, maar voor de rest is dit niet per se mijn ding, niet super bijzonder
Unbelievable songs. While not all the songs fantastic, Chapman is able to make them amazing through her sheer talent. One of the best singer-songewriters to ever live. Highlights are Talking about a Revolution, and Fast Car.
Very enjoyable album. Some of the tracks on it still feel fresh and there are some remixes from it that got very famous not so long ago. Lyrics are still relatable either it is about the system or about love.
This is good, and singles are classic for sure, but the whole thing has that slick late 80s production sound that I just can't get past.
Not my usual fare but I did enjoy this. Can't deny she has a great voice and the tunes are solid. Wouldn't likely want to listen to a whole album but certainly happy to add the songs into my mix.
Big voice
Amamos este album con todo el cora desde que mi mama me lo recomendo <3 Triste saber que las cosas siguen igual desde que salio este disco. Parece que el ser humano no cambia.
Wow, she has such a beautiful voice. Of course, "Fast Car" is the only one I am familiar with but I really liked "Talking Bout a Revolution" too. The album is a folksy, heartfelt throwback pulling past and present together. Good, but aside from the two songs, not really for me.
Bluesy
Reminded me of songs I haven't heard in ages. Great voice, although I found that it fits more with slower-paced songs.
This album feels like a musical and political counterpart to Sinéad O’Connor’s “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got.” Two albums from across the Atlantic addressing social issues through sparse arrangements, terrific songwriting, and powerful (sometimes a cappella) vocal performances. I really enjoyed the aesthetic range of this record, from keyboard drenched pop to snappy country grooves, and the occasional eccentricity thrown in for good measure (I loved the sitar riff).
A well-mixed album that has great production and still delivers raw emotion. One of those “right place right time” moments had it become so prominent but I believe it would become timeless based on merit alone.
never gotten warm with tracy chapman :/ (vinyl)
L tracy’s voice is incredible. Just not my genre of music. I could find myself enjoying it though.
Fast car 🔛🔝
❤️
3.5 ! Solid effort, lovely blend of activism, storytelling, and folk! Favorites: Talkin’ About a Revolution, Baby Can I Hold You, Across the Lines
Oh Tracy Luv.
Ehhh...we're on a run of lackluster albums lately. This one is fine, but the only song I'm likely to come back to is the one I already know.
I was surprised by this album. Fast Car is obviously a genius song - can't be denied, but this whole album is stellar. Great lyrics, good musicianship and a singer who MEANS it. Tracy's great.
I hadn't gone through this as an album before even if I'd heard the hits. Not every track hits, but the ones that do really do. Very enjoyable. Standouts Talking 'bout a revolution Fast car Behind the wall
Loved Fast Car when it came out and boy was it everywhere, this track alone took me back. Talkin about a revolution is wonderful too but perhaps too short. Then you have Baby Can I Hold You which is great. However, some of the other tracks were a bit plain and one sounded like Suzanne Vega. So, three stars sadly.
Nice smooth easy listening
Need to spin it back to catch more the story telling, but I see the passion.
This album is phenomenal
10/10
Great voice and masterful storytelling. Particularly Fast Car. Also, a social justice thread throughout which gives it shape and meaning.
1/2
She’s got a great voice, and the first two songs on the album I heard I don’t know how many times growing up. Maybe my mom had this album. She deals with a lot of heavy, sad themes. I don’t think I was in the right headspace for this, and don’t think I’d revisit it, but I wouldn’t yuck someone’s yum for loving this album.
Powerful
Never listed to the whole thing. Really good
Absolutely beautiful prose, so thought-provoking.
“But you can say ‘Baby Baby, can I hold you tonight? Maybe if I told you the right words At the right time, you’d be mine’” We all know “Fast Car”. It’s a wonderful and devastating bittersweet masterpiece. It beautifully conveys the longing inside everyone to have done something with the time you have in this world as you feel it slipping through your fingers. The famous footage of Tracy Chapman being sent out to kill time at Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday concert whilst behind the scenes the techs try and fix an issue with Stevie Wonder’s stage set is nothing short of astonishing. Chapman holds an audience of tens of thousands in near silent awe with her voice, her guitar, and the intangible magic of a song as good as “Fast Car”. With all that being said, “Fast Car” is not the song from Chapman’s wonderful self titled debut that means the most to me. That honour goes to “Baby Can I Hold You”. Until I was about 12 my family for the most part drove cars with a tape deck but no CD player. This meant that the soundtrack to family car rides up until I was in secondary school was my dad’s handmade mixtapes. There is a plethora of classic songs that take me straight back to the back seat of my parents’ worn out second hand people carrier and “Baby Can I Hold You” is one of those. It near enough brings me to tears every time I hear it. The rest of the album is chock full of raw and catchy tunes preaching on social justice without ever feeling preachy. Chapman achieves a melancholic but optimistically defiant feel which suits the themes perfectly. She also produces an affecting if not necessarily technically impressive vocal performance. I will never tire of this record and feel that it is up there as one of the best ever debut albums.
It's as I remember. As a whole I prefer to just listen to the one track though.
Uh-oh. I’ve heard maybe two Tracy Chapman songs in my life. One I dug and one I didn’t. I wasn’t really a fan of her voice, but I wasn’t enthused about Everything But the Girl, and now I’m president of the Ohio County Chapter of their fan club. , Track 1 is Talkin’ ‘Bout a Revolution, which was the second single off the album. So far we’re off to a bad start. This song has that Hootie & the Blowfish type of soft rock sound that was huge in the 90s. Plus, I got sucked into the blow of the Fish and listened to their first album so much that I ended up hating it. This song has the organ playing softly in the background with the acoustic guitars. Talking about a revolution goes down easier when it sounds like Rage Against the Machine to me. But, otherwise, it’s a fairly standard 90s pop song. Track 2 is the big one, Fast Car. The song was a worldwide hit, but never reached #1 in the U.S., which seems unbelievable, as the song was everywhere in 1988. It got to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. I never really cared for the song. Let’s see if time can heal my ears. Again, it has that 90s Hootie production and sound. The tune also sounds like another popular song from the 90s, but for the life of me, I can’t place it. I thought it was She Talks To Angels by the Black Crowes, but it’s not. I can see why it had a comeback as a country song in the last year because it sounds like a country song. Though today it might be too country for country radio as it doesn’t have any club beats, rapping, or talk about drinking, screwing, and driving big trucks. Have I ever talked about how much I hate today’s country music? I know, I’m old. Track 3 is Across the Lines, and this one has a more R.E.M. feel to it, as I think there’s a mandolin added into the mix. Oooh, the bass in this sounds really good. I might like this one. Wow, this song is very powerful. It’s about segregation during Chapman’s childhood and the riots that broke out across the country during the 60s, and all the way up until today. I liked this song. Track 4 is Behind the Wall, and it’s barely two minutes long. Another powerful song about domestic abuse and how the children are witnesses to the fighting, if not part of it themselves. When the police arrive, if they even show up, they can’t do anything about domestic abuse, at least in Chapman's childhood. The song is just Chpaman singing with no music. Just a great, real, and raw song. Wow. Track 5 is called "Baby Can I Hold You," and it’s about being in a relationship with someone who finds it hard to open up and say they’re sorry, or "I love you." It’s a sad song as Chapman explains they can show their love through their actions if they can’t say the words. I’m getting past the music and more into the lyrics. As I’ve said before, I’m a groove or riff guy, so lyrics are always secondary to me. With folk, though, it’s almost all about the lyrics and message of the song. Chapman is very good at putting her emotions into words. Baby Can I Hold You was the third single from the album, and, for my money, it was the best of the three. Track 6 is Mountains O’ Things and I love this song. The music has a bit of an island beat. It sounds different from the other songs. The song appears to be about someone who dreams of being rich, but the wealth has to come to them rather than them working for it. Dreams are just dreams until you put some sweat equity into them. The song is satirical and great. It just shows that a song written 40 years ago can still shine a light on today’s society. Track 7 is She’s Got Her Ticket and it still has a bit of an island beat, but Chapman, who also plays all guitars on the album, is really showing her chops on the electric guitar. This sounds like it could have been one of those later bad Eric Clapton pop songs that became huge for some crazy reason. Which is a shot at Clapton and not Chapman. Track 8 is called "Why?" and it’s a song asking why there are bad things in the world, like violence, hunger, and greed. “Love is hate, War is peace, No is yes, We’re all free." "But somebody's gonna have to answer The time is coming soon When the blind remove their blinders And the speechless speak the truth.” It’s a good song, though it seems there have been thousands of songs written in the same vein. It’s nothing new to talk about the injustice in the world and how those perpetrators of the injustice will get theirs in the end, yet many don’t, at least in this life. This album is starting to bum me out. Well, that was depressing. The songs were either about her love life being crappy or the world going to hell in a handbasket. What’s more depressing is that the social things she sang about on this album haven’t gotten much better since 1988. It’s so dumb that as humans we’ve been evolving for over 2,000 years, yet when it comes to our fellow man, we’re still just monkeys ready to bash our neighbors with a stick to steal their bananas. I can see the historicness of this album putting it on the 1,001 Albums list, but I’d put it at slot number 1,001 for its bleakness. It’s funny, because once the album was finished, YouTube Music just randomly started playing Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight, a song about revenge, or about watching a man drown to death, as some would have you believe. It’s more uplifting than most of what was on this album. If you like folk rock and music about fighting the power or societal issues, then this album is for you. Otherwise, protect your mental health and listen to some AC/DC.
Amazing album, why i didn't discover before?
A few classic songs on this album that have stood the test of time. I'm surprised how much j enjoyed this album.
I'm a big fan of a few later Tracy Chapman albums, so it was illuminating to return to this one, which i hadn't listened to in probably 30 years. My biggest impression: she already had it on her first album. Songs with sharp lyrics, very singable tunes, quality arrangements that don't get in the way of her words. What a great singer and songwriter.
Can't stand Fast Car, and that's probably objectively the best song on the album. Nice voice at times, but just found it boring.
Powerful messages in a fittingly somber but beautiful style
Unfortunately I did not vibe with this AT ALL. She had a BEAUTIFUL voice, but not for this genre. Maybe pop or something idk
When this album came out I was straight Metal and Punk with some Grateful Dead sprinkled in. Of course I heard Fast Car. A lot. I really enjoyed this one though. Tracy Chapman is way Blacker than The Black Album.
Nice Songwriter Music. Better Thank expected.
Virkelig nice.
A perfect album
excellent album.
An album of revolution and reflection.
Good
This record came out in a time where I’m sure everyone was absolutely sick of the overly produced hair metal, and synth slop of the decade. For an 80’s record, it’s stripped down and mellow. Tracy has such a great voice. I think the fact that she sounds so good helps this album along rather than dragging with such deep and sometimes dark topics. For example, younger people will find this a lot more palatable than say early Bob Dylan. It’s all in the voice and punch. Maybe sounding a little more mom ish helps too. To me this is the modern take on the shit I love from the 60’s-70’s so I rock with it all. Side note: why did we let Luke Combs be the guy to get popular off a cover of her song “fast car”🙄 Favs: For my lover, Across the lines, she’s got her ticket
fast car coded I wonder why this on here I will do some more digging. Ooooo I see this is classic it’s easy listening and it’s got that scratchy voice that defined the 90s. I like the bongos on a lot of these songs and her voice is just so smooth and easy to bop too. It’s still an incredibly simple and uplifting record why are babies starving if we have so much food. Why are they called peace keepers if they have to hide their faces interesting. I want this record bad now
I really like her voice, it's down to earth. I know about Fast Car but the other songs apparently have good lyrics, I haven't had time to listen closer yet but might do so.
I don’t remember this album coming out in 1988. I do remember this album in heavy rotation in the mid-1990s. My daughter described it perfectly: “soulful”. There is not a track on here that isn’t soulful and you can feel her heart in it. Talking ’ Bout a Revolution still relevant, and I am so happy Fast Car has made a Renaissance and earned her the credit she has always deserved. I liked how she blended in her influences, from the reggae inspired to She’s Got Her Ticket and the African inspired Mountains O’Things. But songs like Sorry are classic singer-songwriter. She is an American treasure!
Random thoughts: * The first two tracks are all-time greats! I forget how good both of those tracks are. * I was expecting more along the lines of the first 2 tracks which I got on the next 2 tracks and then things veered into some unexpected direction. * Baby Can I Hold You and Mountain O'Things had wildly different sound and style that I was not expecting. It wasn't bad but just showed how much versatility Tracy Chapman has. * Overall, I really liked the inclusion of this album on 1001. I'd like to revisit but not sure I will often.
Wait, John Martyn has two albums on here and Tracy Chapman gets only one? Robert, make it make sense. Anyway, in high school my older sister had New Beginning. My wife brought Telling Stories to our collective CD collection. Both of those albums are excellent and so is this one.
No notes. She is incredible.
Great lyrics.
Really good, definitely need to re listen
Great album!
ive always loved fast car (i cry every time i hear it), but i had never listened to any of her other songs before. no other song on the album could compare in the slightest but i feel like i got something out of hearing the whole album regardless. for my lover was my second favorite.
That was good
Really liked this album.
Maravilloso. Temas importantísimos contados de manera sencilla por una voz divina. Fundamental y sincero como ya no se hacen.
powerful message about love, family, and domestic violence. i love fast car so i really wanted to love it but i wasn’t blown away by a lot of the songs
Loved this album
Undeniably string singer and songwriter. Not my typical cup of tea but enjoyable nonetheless. The hits are definitely hits. Overall. 3.5 to 4 /5
Thank you, Tracy Chapman, for reminding me that not all 80s music has to sound like futuristic carnival trash.
Depressing but good Standout songs: Talkin bout a revolution Shes got her ticket Why?
Very slow and not incredibly musical. I don't mind the lyrics, but I don't much enjoy the musicality.
Simply direct, but not simple. Never has living in the suburbs sounded so promising. We pretty much all feel we need a fast car some time or another.
I love this album when it came out. I played it incessantly. All the songs are incredibly heartbreaking and I cried from start to finish. Sometimes it’s good to feel bad. And she has an absolutely amazing voice and there is power in these vignettes.
Yeah, this is a good one. I feel like I should like it more, but damn is it depressing. It's also pretty one note. Still, she's great, and this definitely belongs on the list.
Brilliant I love Tracy Chapman the album, the musician, and the person so much that any words going into a review just won't be worthy. This was one of my first CDs when that format hit the market. What surprised me about this listen is that I forgot ...Behind the Wall was a cappella.
Unfortunately, the revolution where the poor rise up and take what's theirs never came, but this is still a very good album of songs with heart, meaning and soul. Fantastic singles in 'Talkin' Bout A Revolution', 'Fast Car' and 'Baby Can I Hold You'. The 2nd half is a bit less stellar, probably what holds it back from 5 stars.
Sharp, tender songs that stand up well. I had not heard the album in many years, until this listen, but last week - nearly 40 years on from release - in Glasgow I heard a busker singing "Talkin 'bout a revolution" and I was pleasantly surprised to hear it again, sounding strong. The reggae tune doesn't work so well but overall still a decent listen
Super talented artist, not really my thing
I enjoy the listening but it didn't have something that will make me listen to it again 3/5
Very gifted songwriting on display here.
Hele mooie stem, fijn rustige instrumentatie. Soms wel heel mellow, maar zou het album zeker nog eens aanzetten
tråkigt
4.7
m gustó pero no m mató
YES, BABY!!! I’ve wanted to listen to this one for a LONG time, and in fact started to last year, but never ended up making it very far for some reason. Anyway super glad I got this one because we all know it’s absolutely awesome. The first three tracks are some of the better tracks of all time, and fast car is nothing short of perfect. Some other highlights present are the striking a capella break track behind the wall, why?, for my lover, if not now…, and for you. Chapman brings a very existential, somber air to the whole album, and I absolutely adore it. 9.3/10
tracy chapman wrote “Fast Car” and the luke combs version is a cover and everyone knew that except for me until today. chapman has a lovely voice and this album gives me warm fuzzy feelings.
I think she should have stuck with her mum
If you take out the political and victim-like messaging of the lyrics, the melody and the singing is quite nice. Fast car is and will always be a classic.
Racial and cultural victim mentality expressed in song.
80’s Folk ⭐️Fast Car
Some absolute bangers. Fast Car is timeless. Some solid social commentary in there too. Just a really unique voice and great album. Maybe I'm being harsh not giving it 5 stars.
A perfect album
Pros: Beautiful and distinctive voice. Fast Car is a classic, an absolute masterclass in storytelling in music. Cons: Her political lyrics are a little on the nose, spouting off cliches pretending to be profound thoughts.
I really enjoyed this. Not something I’d listen to often, but she has a good voice, good music, and lyrics that are still relevant almost 40 years later. 5/5
Such a great, unique voice. Nice background music.
★★★½
Didn’t realize her advocacy especially at the time
really great; nice to have a reason to listen to this whole album
Beautiful voice, fantastic album.
Great sounding guitars and vocals. Obviously great songs. "For You" was beautiful.
Gets old fast but some songs are great
Cleveland’s own! Just an all around good album. And frankly needed especially right now. Always enjoy a listen to this.
Didn't know this was the original of a lot of songs. Sampled a lot. Earworms stuck in my ear, was annoying.
Singing on the album is beautiful and the music itself is very hearty. It feels like the album to listen to when the world seems like too much and you need to root yourself down a little bit. I am imagining myself listening to it while staring in a fire in a fireplace and being relaxed.
Bob Dylan if Bob Dylan was black, female, and could sing. Good music, good vocals, important, powerful lyrics. Highlights: - "Fast Car" - stunning classic. - "Behind the Wall" - heartbreaking, haunting, powerful. Did get a little samey, but it was all pleasant to listen to (in a musical sense), the vocals are great, and the lyrics have actual meaning. Low 4.
Highlights: - Fast Car - Behind the wall - No instrumentation and a presumably true story... hits hard I appreciate how transparent the lyrics are in this album. There's no metaphors just her experiences and opinions I like her voice and the instrumentation suits it. Low 3
It was really soothing, and the message was really strong
Her calm, grounded voice draws me in.
Tracy Chapman is so cool
me gusta
begrudgingly, I have to give an iota of props to Luke Combs up top here for bringing Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" back into our collective consciousness. I had to endure a lot of bullshit from my local country station during the year I spent working as a bank teller, but his 2023 cover version served as four-and-a-half minutes of relative reprieve from the MAGA-coded hits that were circulating country radio's airwaves at the same time. Combs accidentally changed the lyric "We gotta make a decision" to "Still gotta make a decision," a choice which inadvertently robs that lyric of much of its meaning (although he performs it correctly these days); it's a testament to the stark power of Chapman's original, the song which she has become more closely associated with than any other. plus, it just sounds so much more real coming out of her mouth than Combs's. I mean, it's her song, so, duh. but, y'know, it's a song that has become embraced by queer culture for a reason! in general, a lot of the songs on her debut album avoid much gendered language when referring to love interests, and at a time like the late 80s, when homophobia was much more prevalent, listeners latched onto whatever they could get. (in recent years, author Alice Walker has alleged that she and Chapman were in a romantic relationship for a time; Chapman herself has not commented on the matter.) Chapman has chosen to mostly reveal herself to us through her songs; she's a notoriously private person, so we're left to dissect her words to figure out who she is and what she thinks. thankfully, she makes that pretty easy to do, even as her songs aren't necessarily autobiographical. tracks like "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" and "Why?" are pleas for change in the face of social injustice. the former is another well-remembered track of hers from this time, but I find it a little non-specific; the latter succeeds more in this regard by addressing the indignities of hunger (even as we have enough food to feed the whole world) and war (propagated by governments who claim to be acting in the name of peace). "Behind the Wall" is an a capella track about domestic abuse, and "She's Got Her Ticket" shares the same yearning to get away from a bad situation as "Fast Car", but in a way that feels more particularly coded along gender lines. as a songwriter, Chapman is bare-bones, confrontational, and often deeply sad about the state of the world. even over just 11 short tracks totaling 36 minutes, there's moments where I feel her repeating herself just a little bit, whether it's thematically or musically. if you've heard other acoustic female singer-songwriters from the 80s and 90s, you're not going to be blown away by the sound of this album, but the strong stuff here is very strong! shout-out to the bass work on this album by Larry Klein; he was married to Joni Mitchell at the time, a strange coincidence considering how much his playing here reminded me of Jaco on Hejira. strong 7/10.
10/10. No notes. Love this album!
This is a beautiful and sad album. Normally when such a successful album is on here it's Taylor Swift, it's Coldplay, it's Adele. Middle of the road anodyne music catering to the lowest common denominator. Tracy Chapman however is so much more than that. Her voice suits the downbeat lyrics and simple, but effective melodies, very well - perhaps it's the passage of time or perhaps the way so many of the songs are about lost hopes and dreams, but even the ostensibly positive Talkin' Bout A Revolution, feels melancholy. Simultaneously sad and comforting. Tracy Chapman is one of those artists that I knew of, liked, but really didn't appreciate enough before starting this project. Five stars.
Tracy er sikkert flink hun altså, men det her er ikke mitt tempo i det hele tatt.
Minimalistisk overproduksjon som minner meg om overprodusert singer/songwriters fra 2000-tallet. Tror det er derfor det låter litt slapt for meg
Tracy Chapman vet også forut sin tid. Hun pionerer tydeligvis den sutrete four Chris poppen som har tatt over poppen i vår tid. Dette er ikke låtskriving. Dette er syting med gitar. (Dette gjelder ikk tekstene hennes som er helt greie og handler om ekte faktiske ting, men det musikalske utrykke)
Perfect. Will try to listen at home loud. Definitely a top 100 album of all time.
vibey and like the meaning behind the music
Great album with solid vocals and songwriting.
Cool, i like it. Chill and relax
Beeeaaaauuuutiful !!!! Pleasantly late 80s comforting but with enough substance to feel meaningful. & what a voice ! Hadn’t properly listened to Tracy Chapman beyond the hits and found it such a lovely surprise.
lovely album. her voice is so gorgeous & distinctive & i rly liked that it's very much at the forefront the entire album, esp the acapella behind the wall (which my god that song is gonna haunt me for a while). the only damper on the entire thing was that even though for the most part the production is acoustic and stripped back, it still carries artefacts of that late 80s adult contemporary (gloop) type of production i really really loathe. i think part of the reason fast car has remained so evergreen is bc it's basically all just guitar and percussion & therefore can sound timeless in the way other tracks on the album can't (i think baby can i hold you is probably the biggest offender)
perfection
We've all heard "Fast Car" at this point, especially after a white male country singer won an award covering it. Tracy's original is better. The rest of the album? Also great! I'm not usually into singer/songwriter kind of stuff, but it's really great and she just has a ton to say. Beautiful singing, the backing tracks work well with, and I just can't say anything bad about this.
Okej album, ali ništa posebno. Dijelovi kul, dijelovi dosadni. 2/5, 3/10
Unquestionable 5/5 Chapmans lyrics about the heartbreak of hope and tragedy are absolutely timeless .
Was only familiar with Fast Car before. I'm early into the 1001, but albums like this are exactly why i'm doing it. This was something that would have otherwise been in my blindspot that moved me. So many messages from 35 years ago that unfortunately ring true today.
The generator has been cooking recently. This is probably the most accessible album I've had so far - literally anyone could listen to this and say its a 10/10. Amazing songs front to back
No me acuerdo pero fue muy bueno. Lo disfruté
Earnest simple beauty
First listen to a great album, thank you.
1. revolution - 1 2. car - 1.5 3. linez -1 4. uuall - 1.5 5. baby - 1.5 6. thingz - 0 7. ticket - 0 8. uuhy - 0 9. lover - 1 10. nouu - 1 11. you - 1.5
gander at water lillies
I was excepting to give this higher. 3 fantastic songs but the rest just not really there. A high 3
A classic. Beautiful protest songs. It's just sad to think that things didn't get better after these songs were released in 1988. The poor didn't rise up. Women are not safer in their own homes.
The epitome of “adult contemporary”. Heartfelt and poignant. Perhaps irritatingly so at times.
What an album!!! Devastating, beautiful, hard-hitting and so needed. It was sad to see how little has changed since this album was released. I knew Fast Car and Baby can I hold you but didn’t know most of the others. I feel grateful to have listened to it though and will now become that annoying friend who recommends it to everyone else!
Filled with sharp political critiques, this album completely surpassed my expectations. There’s this constant tension of giving and taking hope away. It starts with simple chord progressions, but the percussion and lead guitar make an appearance at the most needed moments. Highlights: "She’s Got Her Ticket": A change in tempo and a total breath of fresh air. "Behind the Wall": An a cappella track in the most "nude" form I can imagine. It addresses domestic violence in a way that almost feels like a haunting lullaby.
her voice isn’t really for me, but the songwriting is incredible. unfortunately i don’t see myself returning to this very much outside of a couple songs, im just not big on her voice. fast car is great though, obviously.
Awesome debut album, she was doing coffee shop gigs 12 months before this album came out. 3 outstanding songs elevate this to a 5*, her lyrics and vocal delivery is amazing and the production of the album is very clever.
Starts with one hell of a run including maybe a top 20 song of all time. It can't quite keep up the pace (mostly due to moving towards some experiments that don't always work for me personally) but this is a great debut nonetheless
Pleasantly surprised by this. Impressed by the diversity of songwriting. Music needs more of this kind of thing these days. And I don't mean just white boy country covers. Music needs real lyricists with real perspectives. Good album.
9/10
Just go and watch her Wembley performance
Stellar. Every song is a gem. Her voice is distinctive and perfect for her storytelling. Love her, and specifically, this album.
It’s ok
впервые попалось что-то о чем я ни разу не слышала и мне понравилось. надо будет переслушать
Aight
escuchar fast car siempre es un si 😭🩷
Ta bien
no me encantó, pero tampoco entiendo el odio en los demás comentarios, me pareció un disco bastante decente
10/10
I have long despised this album and my opinion hasn’t changed. Can’t stand her voice.
Good tracks throughout. Chapman has a good singing voice, and her storytelling is effective. Instrumentals are pleasant and work well. The standout tracks for me are "Fast Car" and "Mountains O' Things". My only skip is "Baby Can I Hold You", and it's still a very listenable track. 3.5 stars
Tracy Chapman is great on relisten, and she is probably the best modern folk singer.
Every song is fast car. Insane vocals.
When you're touching something so soft and smooth that you feel like you're not actually touching anything. This is the only way I can describe Tracy Chapman's voice.
I love it. Cant believe its taken me this long to get into it.
Was nice to hear the full album of songs that I've heard for decades
As someone lacking a musical ear, it was pleasantly mellow.
Deeply moving & motivating. Should be a required protest (?) album to listen to. Has elements of Tracy's wonderful writing style throughout & echos of generational trauma & the way it is ignored.
Molto bello, molte canzoni iconiche, ma soprattutto mi ha emozionato molto. Vorrei quasi dargliene 5
Nice enough listen, even with some 80isms, but held back by poor, obvious writing and self-seriousness
MEh
Good album. Not my style but it has really good songs.
Amazing
Wow.... just a wonderful album. Need to find it when I'm at the record store.
This is a deceptive album. On the surface it is a pretty laid back acoustic rock album with two MASSIVE hits that have been covered by more people than I can remember. "Fast Car" and "Baby Can I hold you" must be some of the most covered songs ever. But listen in any amount to the lyrics of any of these songs and you find a call to arms and reconciliation for anyone that has been discriminated against. Tracy is clever, thought provoking and emotionally intelligent. The lyrics to her songs are as relevant today as were in '88. It is depressing how so little has actually changed in almost 40 years. "Behind the Wall" is brave, heartbreaking and technically perfect. The acapella leaves a silence between the lyrics that is almost deafening. (4.7)
50/50, not my style and topic but talented enough
4/5
Some great memorable songs. An excellent album to test drive new headphones.
Jeetje wat een mooi album. Helaas zijn de teksten na 40 jaar nog net zo relevant
First couple of songs were good, then just levelled out afterwards. Not bad but nothing really jumped out after Fast Car.
Enjoyable from start to finish. Was impressed with the consistency throughout.
Just a gorgeous album. One in a million voice with such emotional and vulnerable songwriting. Impressed me then and impresses me now. THIS is the real version of Fast Car
okay
Am I going to make a McElroy brothers reference by referencing Faster Car? Just did. Either way, the musicality of the album is very pleasing, and Tracy's voice is beautiful, which is a wonderful juxtaposition with the tensions rippling in the lyrics. Behind the Wall in particular is striking as a cappella, Tracy standing against the world.
Very powerful lyrically, and depressing to note that things have not moved on very much since this was released. Love Tracy's voice. I struggle to fully connect with this album, though - not sure what holds me back. Maybe it's the simplicity of the arrangements. Anyway, I can appreciate the beauty in the lyrics particularly.
Very deep. Emotional album. Gets the point across and makes it listenable. I enjoyed it. Favorite track is baby can I hold you. It stayed strong through the entirety of the album I think comfortably a 4/5.
Приятный альбом, кажется, с очень глубокими и сильными текстами. Кто-то назовет это музыкой для лифта, кто-то скажет, что это секретарский рок. Спасибо, что в нем не 40 треков. Надо переслушать.
Love this one, Tracy is a queen
Not bad, a bit samey for my liking. Production is non existent but works for the music. Fast car is great of course.
This is a great album. So unique to what was out at the time and even now still holds it own. Fast Car has been redone so many times because it's a legend
Have always loved Fast Car but never listened to anything else. Wow! What a great listen. Brutal though because you realize absolutely nothing has changed and we’ve made it all the way to 2026. This one holds a special place for me.
I like it. The percussion on some of the songs is interesting. Definitely want to hear again
Was looking forward to hearing this one. I only know Fast Car from her whole discography, so looking forward. Not really into folk music much from the 60s, I knew it had a resurgence in the 80s I guess due to this album's popularity. I talk about the sound as a whole being the subject of parody as I was growing up, but I really like the genuine thing. I would have excpected guitar only, but there's a band on most of the tunes. 1. Talkin bout a Revolution - she's got a very distinct voice. Kind of like Grace Jones with the slightly androgynous quality. I noted in my recording that I heard the style parodied a lot, but it's nice to know where it's from. The "finally the tables are starting to turn" line has soured, unfortunately. The tables are firmly on their legs and evil men laying on top. Maybe in 88 things were less bleak. Super cheap, fast music full of synth only was at its height in 88, so this must have been a breath of fresh air for some people. Not super poppy then, maybe, but a little poppy by today's standards. Short tracks all the way through. 2. Fast Car - did not know there was a band here, only heard her play this at Wembley Stadium the year the album came out. Melody is very nice, chords simple. Just a 6-5-4-1. Super earthy sound for the late 80s. The subject matter of this song was probably super tangible and relatable for some people. Melancholy lyrics that seem very personal to Tracy Chapman. On first listen, I'm pretty far removed from the subject matter so I can't connect as well as surely some folks did. That said, I still really like the song and feel a form of empathy for the characters described in the lyrics. It's not a bleak feeling, it's a bittersweet feeling. About her writing: it's sort of opposite of Taupin's on Elton John's albums. Both are story writing with a loose narrative, but Chapman's writing is a lot less removed from reality and an heavier on the use of specifics, many of which seem to be of personal experience. Taupin's are a lot more fantastic, and as a result his stories become vivid yarns instead of grounded, modern stories like it seems Chapman writes on this album from some sort of experience/perception of real life. Excited to hear more of that as a writer who is not good at yarns but is more inclined to lead with my own emotions. I want the things that I write to evoke an emotion in you that I feel in myself first. I have a hard time writing to evoke an emotion in a person that I don't feel myself. 3. Across the Lines - **going to have to edit this with the rest later. i recorded my thoughts while cooking and they are on google drive at work and at home. rating for now and will finish typing later. 2.
It reminds me a bit of early Dylan or acoustic Springsteen. Very good storytelling. Good album with a bunch of very good protest songs.
Pretty good
This is really impressive. I've slept on her vocal authority over a lot of other people trying to write about the same things she's writing about. It's one for the ages, and there's the right amount of variety on here to keep you active. In other words, having this as a background listen is a sin.