Reviews (page 5 of 14)
EN ESPAÑOL PORQUE POR FIN SUPE COMO SE LLAMABA ESTA REINA, TE AMO
Ideal background music, more songs I knew than expected, revolution one and questions ones were good.
Very good, singer sounds like Baby Rose a bit
Amazing, a grateful surprise! I didn't knew her, even though i know some of her songs.
Awesome álbum
I am so touched by this album. Its amazing musically and lyrically. What a great debut. I would love to see how she evolved as an artist after it!
I loved this album in 1988 and I love it now.
Great storytelling featuring the classic Fast Car and Behind the Wall.
FANTASTIC acoustic guitar sounds on this record.
Soulful, empowering. Beautiful voice
Top 10 favorite albums. Need to listen to it more often.
fast car ftw
Amazing, heartbreaking album. Interesting to read some reviews that seem to dismiss her experience though.
Very enjoyable
What a great album/songs. Even 33 years later, still very much relevant
Album espetacular, sugiro ouvir com um grado
What a wonderful album, fast cars, revolution, why, for my lover, all are so good, very happy to have been introduced to this one
Classic Folk very good !
A bit kohlscore - and a bit too acapella at times but I liked it
Simple yet elegant, socially conscious, songs sung in a totally unique contralto voice....Tracy burst on the scene as a true original. I know it may feel a bit overdone in recent times, but "Fast Car" is truly one of the best songs of the 1980s. The drum entry is not quite the level of "Stairway to Heaven" or "In the Air Tonight" but its genuinely close. I also really like "Talkin' Bout a Revolution". She kind of perfected and pre-empted the adult contemporary sounds of the 1990s.
At first, I thought about who the hell is this but the moment I heard her voice it was obvious. This is a pretty chill album, definitly a good listen for a long lonely car ride or a slow and nostalgic evening. The music is simple and calming and its a nice change to some of the oversaturated tunes we hear nowadays.
Great songs and storytelling on this album.
Fire
This record is a mood. It's full of thoughtful heartfelt songs with a story to tell.
it's Tracy Chapman so you know the voice is gonna be there for sure, I liked it
Loved the sound, her voice is amazing but the lyrical content of the whole album is a little too depressing.
Best soundtrack for a road trip fr i feels like we're in the jungle especially mountains O' mountains Why? such a powerful massage and across the lines pure art I loved how clear her massage I loved her strong sound
Her voice is slightly clipped sounding but in a way that makes it unique and very fun to listen to
Feels criminal giving it anything less than 4
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.
Very cool album
Would not buy
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.
A wonderful blast from the past. Some great songs and no bad songs.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
She’s got a beautiful voice and storytelling style - the highs are extremely high
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
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.
Another that I enjoyed more than expected. Great lyrics, unique voice
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
3.5
Good.
Schöner Vibe, kam mir vieles auch schon sehr bekannt vor, kann man öfter hören.
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
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.
This was lovely. Poignant; maybe more so now than when it came out.
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.
Who doesn't love Tracy? Fast Car is an iconic song. Its a pleasant listen with some decent tunes.
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
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
Fire
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.
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.
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.
It nice with beautiful lyrics but in totally not make me impressvie
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"
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
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.
Lovely voice and nice song writing. Probably needs more listens.
Iconic album with iconic songs. And her courage to come out will always be something I admire
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.
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.
Great debut album
this was pretty good!
It was very good
Moody and pleasant.
Bu kadın bana babamı hatırlatıyor anısı çok güzel
Overall Rating - 3.50/5 (7.00/10). This has a very folk country feel. I like it.
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
Listened to this one before, very good one. Favourite is “Why?”.
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 ? :-)
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
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.
Classic
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.
Great album, incredibily ahead of her time.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
Beautiful voice, beautiful songs, lovely listening experience.
classic
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!!
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.
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
Excellent 4/5
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.
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?
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.
❤️❤️❤️❤️
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.
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
Good writer, nice singer, seems like a few songs are great, other so so.
Classic American album through and through
mostly great stuff but weirdly overproduced at times. fast car is perfect though obviously
wonderful. tracy's voice is a joy to listen to.
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
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
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.
Superb
Tracy has an amazing voice and powerful lyrics. Was happy to listen to this album in its entirety.
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
de esos álbumes que traen recuerdos del pasado, de los que te ponen a pensar bonito!
3.5 - Good The album itself is ok, Fast Car brings it up to a 4
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.
Talking about a revolution! FAST CAR! 4/5
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
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.
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
own
love tracy’s voice, the songs are great
"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.
So sad her political songs got short shrift. I find them much better than the love songs. A beautiful voice always though.
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.
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.
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.
3.5 ! Solid effort, lovely blend of activism, storytelling, and folk! Favorites: Talkin’ About a Revolution, Baby Can I Hold You, Across the Lines
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
Need to spin it back to catch more the story telling, but I see the passion.
Great voice and masterful storytelling. Particularly Fast Car. Also, a social justice thread throughout which gives it shape and meaning.
Powerful
Powerful messages in a fittingly somber but beautiful style
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.
excellent album.
An album of revolution and reflection.
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.
Really good, definitely need to re listen
That was good
Really liked 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
Depressing but good Standout songs: Talkin bout a revolution Shes got her ticket Why?
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.
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.
Very gifted songwriting on display here.
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.
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.
really great; nice to have a reason to listen to this whole album
Cleveland’s own! Just an all around good album. And frankly needed especially right now. Always enjoy a listen to this.
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.
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.
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)
No me acuerdo pero fue muy bueno. Lo disfruté
gander at water lillies
The epitome of “adult contemporary”. Heartfelt and poignant. Perhaps irritatingly so at times.
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.
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
escuchar fast car siempre es un si 😭🩷
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
Every song is fast car. Insane vocals.
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
Amazing
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
Enjoyable from start to finish. Was impressed with the consistency throughout.
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.
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.
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.
I love this record. Very defining for a very short period of my dumb last gasps of high school--but stupid nostalgia aside, gorgeous songs beautifully played. Saw her open for Bob Dylan in 1988: just her and a guitar and she completely owned the place. Riverting.
Konsistens og helhed 8/10 Albummet går ikke i alle mulige retninger, men alle sangene er cirka lige gode pop sange. Ikk nogen filler, alle sangene fungerer lige godt på albummet Innovation og originalitet 6/10 Ikke det mest originale, men man kan godt mærke noget jazz inspiration også selvom det er normal guitar-pop. Der er dog sange der har andre lyde, og gode interludes Emotionel resonans 8/10 Hendes stemme giver en god følelse og jeg føler det vækker de følelser det skal. Man kan mærke hun mener hvad hun synger. Tekst og tematik 9/10 Det er gode tekster om personlige problemer som er dannet af hvad der sker i verdenen. Kærlighedssange er sgu også godt skrevet Musikalsk kvalitet 7/10 Simpelt, men på den bedste mulige måde. Guitaren har indimellem nogle spændende akkorder hvilket er fedt. Hun synger godt og meget catchy. Også fedt der er Jamaica inspirationer. Tidsløshed 6/10 Jeg kender mange inspireret af hvad hun gør, og det er også et vigtigt album, men det ikke fordi hun er en alle snakker om pga det her album Subjektiv X-Faktor 5/10 En enkelt sang har haft noget betydning for mig. Hendes stemme er også noget der har betydning. Men jeg kan mærke det nu kommer til at betyde noget for mig Bonus noter: Vil helt klart komme tilbage til det her album og det vil nok med tid betyde mere for mig det her album. Hun er helt klart en af mine yndlings stemmer fra 80’erne. Ville ikke mene der var en eneste filler, men heller ikke nogen sange der stod ud. Min rating: 7 Bedste sange: Fast Car Across the Line Mountain O’Things Why? If Not Now
No. 107 Fantastic start to finish.
It never occurred to me how I listened to this as a child. Brought back nice memories :)
Chapman had the good sense to go easy on over-producing the album; nevertheless it can feel an album of the 80s at times (in the way some of the drum sounds are treated with reverb, or synth strings, or marimba) - but for the most part it's very nicely arranged, and avoids being over-engineered (highlighted by the last track, just Chapman and guitar). I can brush over the anachronisms (and the cod-reggae one). I can brush over that quite a number of these songs can be dropped into a Magic radio playlist. It leaves an album of 80% of high quality songcraft.
What a great album with great vocals. It gives exactly what it promises. Today´s bird: Chapman's swift (Chaetura chapmani)
Very good debut album.
Amazing then, amazing now.
The book claims there's a "nagging naivety" to the songs. In any social movement you can catalog the members by how radical/violent they were. Martin Luther King wouldn't have been listened to without the Black Panthers and figures like Malcolm X. Every doer needs a face to explain it to those not as far along. Chapman's work is more face than tip of the spear. If, as an American, you don't yet realize what a revolution would be for.. You might just not want to hear it.
Great voice, and lyrics relevant as ever
Overall, I really chill and really great album. I have heard Fast Car plenty of times but had never listened to this album, for some reason.
I've always known and loved 'Fast Car'. I was surprised to find out it was released in 1988 as it sounds much more modern. Chapman's poverty anthems are brought to life by her powerful voice and show that very little has changed since this album hit shelves. This record is a reminder that poverty is cycle and things aren't always going to get better. This album is strongest when the production is stripped back and just focuses on Chapman's strong voice. There's times when things get too busy and distracting, with the synths aging an otherwise timeless record. The cheesy 'Baby Can I Hold You' and the reggae-infused 'She's Got Her Ticket' are a few tracks that show their age. Chapman can sing acapella and still demand your attention, as seen on the harrowing 'Behind The Wall'. If every song on this was even a fraction as great as 'Fast Car', this would be an easy 5.
7.5/10 very powerful words in the songs, i never really listened to the lyrics of fast car before but had heard it a million times before
Her voice and lyrics are like none other - expressive, beautiful, and raw. I remember hearing Fast Car when I was a teen and distinctly realizing how she could, with one song, speak to so many human experiences - the yearnings and losses. She has a unparalleled honesty in her style.
A few classics followed by some sleepier stuff that I had a hard time engaging with. Maybe just my mood.
Just as good as I remember. I should listen to this one more.
Great album. Mountain's o'things favorite song
Finally, FINALLY hearing this one. I've been almost afraid to listen to it, as any record with a song like "Fast Car" is prone to failing to stack up to the power of its singular smash hit masterpiece. Thankfully the rest is quite great, but man, there is a REASON that song is still brought up and listened to today. Incredibly powerful songwriting here throughout, highly impressed.
Quiet passion and dark intensity
Beautiful album. And a few classic tracks outside of the ones we all know. Enjoyed it
I had never listened to this album, and really had not given Tracy Chapman much though. Fast Car was the first song I heard by hear when this album came out, and i was like 9 years old so I hardly identified it, preferring more the popular stuff at the time. Listening to it now, it sounds fresh to me, because its with mature ears that I can understand the messages she is trying to send through the albums songs. The messages ring as true today as they then, which says so much more about how things do not change and in some ways get worse.. Biggest Hit - Fast Car Biggest Miss (if I had to choose) - IF Not Now.... Hidden Gem - Across The Lines
This album should have been MUCH more popular than it was. And it was pretty popular.
This was so good. Tracy Chapman is such a good singer. These songs are all great! This is a fun album from top to bottom. The acoustic songs were also a lotta fun! Liked Songs: "Talking Bout a Revolution" , "Fast Car" , "Behind the Wall" , "Baby Can I Hold You" , "Mountains O' Things" , "She's Got Her Ticket" , "Why?" , "For My Lover" , "For You"
tracy chapman is a great songwriter and has a terrific singing voice. what ultimately does this album a disservice most is the production, which sounds really dated and cliche at this point. there are moments of masterpiece on here, it's a shame it has to be weighed down by some crappy late 80s keyboard instruments.
Super solid album with super solid songwriting.
Sometimes a little clunky but always lovely with at least three perfect songs.
love this
Her voice is so calming and cool. I like it for what it is. Just not my type of music.
very deep messaging and display of emotions on here
Este álbum no parece de los 80s. Da toda la sensación de haberse adelantado a su época. La producción está hecha de tal manera que se sienta organica y creo que el fluir de las canciones le da un sentido y no aburre el álbum
Really good album. I can imagine taking the Red Line to Harvard Square and listening to Tracy Chapman perform these songs for people waiting for the subway
This is an album straight out of the "less is more" school of thought. One lone voice and a guitar. Other instruments, when present, are low enough in the mix that the voice and guitar still stand out. Still a great record.
Good, OG quality. Easy listen. Good for creative flow work. Inspiring. 3.5/5.
Tracy Chapman heeft de juiste stem en de juiste storytelling skills om dit album tot een klassieker te maken, onderwerpen zijn tot op de dag van vandaag relevant, behind the wall vond ik erg sterk. Het album had veel tijdlozer kunnen zijn dan dat het nu is. Dat heeft te maken met de toen moderne instrumentale keuzes, bij baby can I hold you begint dat voor t eerst op te vallen. Hoewel ik van die glassy achtige 80s synths hou vind ik t bij dit album minder passen. Mountains O’ things klinkt haast geproduceerd door Toto en dat is niet vet (vooral die synthetische triangel die je het hele nummer door hoort). She’s got a ticket klinkt ook als een beetje goedkoop reggae achtig liedje. Daarna wordt het gelukkig weer wat akoestischer wat beter uit de verf komt. Cijfer: 7.7
Is a really good album
ok, this one is a little bit harder for me - not only for the ubiquity of some of the songs but also because vast majority of album touches on female issues. I'm a man, I consider myself a feminist and it's 2026 so it's hard for me to judge it. Anyway I will try. The album is almost perfect singer/songwriter LP in my mind - there's just some discrepancies between the melodies and lyrics. I'd give it a 4.5 but I can only do 4 or 5 so four it is. But it's a really strong one. An album that is needed. Even today.
Really loved this. Baby Can I Hold You is a personal favourite of mine
Another great/worthy album.
Beautiful voice. Great music. Never realized fast cars wasn’t a more contemporary song.
While the lyrical themes and mood of the songs were different, I feel similarly about today's album as I did yesterday's. I only like this one a little less.
I listened to Behind the Wall on my way to guard a police training facility. Of everything on the list, this album has given me the most difficulty so far in terms of trying to summarize my thoughts or justify a rating, and I eventually just had to talk and process my thoughts out loud until I worked my way back to a conclusion that felt right. I have an incredible amount of respect for Tracy Chapman, whose songwriting and musicianship are both beautiful. Her voice is unmistakable with restrained power, and she has a knack for lyrics that touch on societal issues with a specificity that keeps them grounded. There are many songs on here which are absolutely incredible to me, most notably the simple acapella track Behind the Wall (I am always a sucker for a good spoken word / acapella piece). However, there were a couple which just didn't grab me as much; usually these were songs where the instrumentals had a little less power and energy to them, or where the lyrics leant a little more general. These songs weren't bad by any means, and they had all the ingredients of the great Tracy Chapman songs I loved, they just got the formula out-of-balance for my personal tastes. These songs happened to come at just the wrong moments in the flow of the album, or at least in the flow of my first interrupted listening experience, to really throw off my perception of the album in a way that didn't feel right. But with another listen or two for everything to settle in, I came back around. This list is going to be a very illuminating experience in terms of how I form thoughts and opinions on art, trying to balance subjectivity with my own sense that I've given something a fair shot; and for my troubles today in grappling with my own perceptions, I was able to appreciate the work of a truly powerful artist. Highlights: Talkin' Bout a Revolution, Fast Car, Behind the Wall, Baby Can I Hold You, For My Lover, For You
Album 11/1001. Listened 1/20/2026. Such beautiful songwriting and singing. Definitely a sad album, but in a beautiful way.
knew a couple of these beforehand, only bc they're so famous, never really listened to her. but she has a really nice voice and this album is a vibe overall, will def listen more
After the first track, I can already tell I’m gonna like this one. I really can’t wait for that revolution. “Fast Car” goes to show that it is up to us to break that cycle of generational trauma so that our children don’t have to suffer because of it. “Behind the Wall” is a very short track but gets the message across very well. How many times will domestic violence get swept under the rug before it’s too late? “Why?” asks a wonderful question, why? I am hopeful that there will be a time where peace is not bombing someones home. The message in “For My Lover” is very clear in that you should be able to love someone no matter their race, gender, or sexuality. If you think other wise then you are silly. “If Not Now…”s message hits so hard. Show your love before it’s too late. The last track, “For You”, describes that feeling of being so madly in love that you can’t really describe it. A love so big that it transcends all logic and reason. I’ve never heard of Tracy Chapman before but I’m glad that this album was chosen from the list. This album is really relevant in today’s world. Repeating what I said earlier, I really can’t wait for the revolution to come. We really need it.
Heartbreaking and still resonant today
I didn’t know this was a woman solid 4/5
love this! I had never actually listened to the full album before.
Clearly stellar, but just didn't enjoy it that much.
Nina contains a wonderfull ability to create soft folk ballads with her guitar. I’m a big fan of simple albums with just good and simple songs but my favorite albums are more experimental or crazy so a 4/5 from me.
Great album, really was only familiar with Fast Cars, but every track was good... really drives home how little things have changed for the better in the almost 40 years since. There were moments, but real progress on so many of the issues she sings about has been fleeting at best.
un muy buen albúm, mis canciones a destacar son: talking bout revolution, behind the wall y baby can i hold you
ew i was such a hater before, this album is beautiful - smooth and raw at the same time. good shit.
Classic
Funny that this came up after CTTE. The most excessive bombastic over the top style of rock music vs the most sparse and thoughtful. I'm sure many will be horrified but I'd take this TC record over CTTE every day of the week. Really incredible songwriting here, I was only familiar with Revolution and Fast Car before but this record is stacked with great songs. Needless to say, these songs from the mid 80s all address social issues that are still issues, without a hint of improvement or resolution. Talkin’ bout a revolution indeed
Perfect folk/roots rock album. I really thought it had come out in the early 90s for some reason. Lyrics reflect Bush era for a young black american girl. Not necessarily my personal favorite genre, but some real gems in there.
The music itself is pretty bare, but her voice and lyrics are just so impactful and affecting. Feels very raw and real
smth cool, so 80s coded, but not my slyle btw title track is the shit!
Distressing how relevant Chapman's lyrics are now, given this was released in the 80s. A very politically prescient album.
Tracks I've heard before: Fast Car Top 3: Talkin' Bout a Revolution Mountain O' Things Why? Bottom 3: Across the Lines Behind the Wall For My Lover
Hard to separate this album from the 1988 Mandela concert, which helped make it a success. I like it now more than I did back then. It seems that some of the underground alternative music became mainstream in readiness for the 90s. A distinctive voice and writer