Tracy Chapman

meh

The sound is dated, but some of these songs still hit man. Issues that they talk about here are still problems today. Behind the Wall is harrowing, Fast Car still slaps, some songs sound like 90s hacky-sack hippy music but none of the ideas are wrong.

I liked it just fine. Nothing especially bad, but nothing that completely grabbed me either. A solid listen overall, but it didn’t stick with me the way I hoped. 3 stars

This album is like sitting on your childhood porch during a thunderstorm while your soul quietly packs a suitcase. Chapman’s debut is so emotionally raw, it might as well come wrapped in a denim jacket and a breakup letter. Her voice is deceptively soft—like a whisper that leaves bruises. It doesn’t ask for your attention, it earns it by being devastatingly honest. Rating: 5/5 Short Review: Protest lullabies for people who cry in bookstores. Favorite Track: “Fast Car” – the national anthem for every underdog who wanted to leave their small town and never looked back.

Beautiful album.

Poor people gonna rise up eventually, I hope.

12/09/2025 I enjoyed this. Spotify listeners: 12.3 million

I had super high hopes coming in on this record and I don't want to say that I was dissapointed, but I certainly was not blown away. Don't get me wrong Chapman is awesome and there are some great tunes on here, but as a whole it wasn't my favorite album ever. 6/10

This is a pretty perfect album. Apart from the two big hits that open up the set, there's some great melodies, lyrics and songwriting. Lots of variation in styles as well, and very relatable stories in the lyrics. Definitely deserves its place, and I think it will stand as an all time classic.

Good

I know a lot has been said of the vocals, here, but the guitar recording is just so crisp! Wonderful stuff :) 4*

Great album. It was everywhere in the late 80s/early 90’s. Still sounds amazing

Chill

I’ve never been a big fan. Too folksy for me. I will say, however, that the songs that I wasn’t familiar with our way better than the singles that I was familiar with. Brilliant song writing, just not an artist I’m going to seek out.

Wonderful album full of strong song writing and nice vocals. Enjoyed every track and will come back to it.

It had some good songs that I didn't know and I appreciate the heavy lyrical content but it sounds the same at some parts

He’s got a really nice voice and I can dig some of the song writing but god damn did this one just feel like listening to the same song over and over again.

Fast car is a classic.

Some great songwriting.

ok

I learned nothing new about Tracy Chapman by listening to this album. I knew she had a great voice and I knew Fast Car was a great track. All these songs kinda just washed over me and I didn’t dislike them, I just don’t think there is much there. Maybe it isn’t for me, I just didn’t get it. 3 stars

cried to fast car like 4 times, but the album sadly falls off after an amazing A side

3 stars for the voice alone. Did seem to be a little repetitive and too on the nose at times. I think this is actually a 3.5 if this allowed for half stars

Amazing

Simply an amazing album. With so much Soul in it. Tracy voice is so great, and she might be one of the greatest song writter of all time. I have never listen to it, but did know fast car and baby can i hold you. But theres so much more that speak about being a black person. And special in the mordwn day of America this album means a lot still

Legendary album, some great and lasting songs on here!

Didn’t click with me

Remember well when this came out. Such a great new voice beautifully and poignantly written, very memorable melodies. I'll will listen again but will score this with top marks! Brilliant talent

Incredibly simple and beautiful, and yet I still have a hard time figuring out where most of these tunes could fit in an aux rotation

I loved this back in the day and it has absolutely stood the test of time. Gets me emotional when I’m in the right mood. Fantastic

Some songs are good, most are very monotonous. I think it's more about the message, which is still relevant almost 30 years later. Favorite song: Mountains o' things

Great voice (obv), easy listen. She's got her ticket, Why? and For My Lover the highlights outside of Fast Car. Second half of the album brings it to an 8.5/10

I’m sure this is critically acclaimed, important, lauded by musicians, etc., but it just didn’t do anything for me other than be pleasant.

My first girlfriend was really into this album. Not listened to it in 20 years. Like it more now than I did then.

I still don’t know if Chapman is a bloke or a Bird but this is very nice easy listening. Good good for a hangover or just generally very pleasant.

Is that John Obi Mikel?

I forgot how much I loved Tracy Chapman, and hadn’t heard anything besides Fast Car in years.

Music is ok, but for me as non-english speaker album was not catchy and does not catch my attention. Fast Cars is the only song added to playlist.

Good folk, that touches upon timeless problems.

A stellar debut.

Obviously heard Fast Car a million times like many but was nice to listen to the rest of the album which I don’t think I’ve done before. Totally get why the album is here but probably wouldn’t come back to it if given a choice.

An exceptionally uninteresting listen, other than many of the themes. 2/5

I love Tracy Chapman, and her music just blows me away.

Only knowing the hit song I was not expecting to enjoy this album like I did.

Bit samey, weh.

she ate and left no crumbs and not only that, she washed the plate afterwards and put it back in the cupboard and no one has even remotely come close to eating off of that plate since

i really liked this!! what a beautiful aura

she deserved so much more. this album is gold.

Gran disco. Luego no consiguió mantener el nivel

What a wonderful kind of handmade music.

It wasn't really something I woukd listen to. It sounded very 90s.

Sublime artist whose words (sadly) still ring true as I listen to them in 2025. Tracy Chapman's voice immediately transports me to my childhood, and all the thoughts and feelings I had hearing songs like 'Fast Car' and 'Baby Can I Hold You'. Songs that feel like opening a time capsule. She's one of the greatest songwriters of our generation. And to think this was her debut album...

Pretty good. Kinda relaxed, acousticy stuff

Fast car is the bomb

Great voice. I've always loved Fast Car. I don't hear Talkin' Bout a Revolution a lot. Lovely songs.

I just didn't like the phrasing and melodies and most of all the voice.

Powerful folk

very slow idk if I would listen again kylie didnt like it at all

I was actually annoyed when this album art popped up on the generator, as I've heard Fast Car so many times that it's an automatic skip for me. The album opener eased me in, with a tune that I know and like and wouldn't actually have been able to attribute to Tracy Chapman. I let go of my Fast Car prejudice and was able to listen with an open mind, and to remember how I'd felt about the song when it was new to me, and to love it all over again. And the rest of the album was brand new to me, and such a joy and privilege to hear. Everything about this album felt so feminine, so soft and gentle while addressing so much that is awful and wrong. Aside from the important issues it raises regarding civil rights, violence against women and children, greed and poverty, it also leaves space for the small matters of the human heart. It is sad and sweet and sobering. As someone who usually appreciates lyrics more than audio, this was a perfect first album for the 1001. I'm grateful to have been able to listen to it.

Einzigartige Stimme, fantastisches Writing. Aber etwas langweilig

Quality album, fast car is an all time great, nothing jarring or annoying 4.7

Wasn't able to give it a good listen unfortunately, but was decent from what I heard. Wasn't upset listening to it but not particularly happy

This debut album is an excellent album showcasing the talents of this artist. It was a refreshing LP to break on to the scene at the time of it's release. Has a hit single and the other songs are well written sung and arranged.

Smooth if a little somber. Beautiful voice. My knowledge of Chapman didn't really extend beyond "Fast Car" and while this album didn't blow me away I will probably look into more of her work.

It is good but toooo well known. There was nothing new to explore

I wish I knew it better

Favorite Track: Fast Car

Fast car

Striking, even now.

Tracy Chapman's got a real unique voice, that i really like, but this album could have benefitted of bit rougher production compared to this quite basic 80's soundscape.

This genre makes me really bored. After 4 tracks I was ready to give up. I didn't make it to the end eventually. This is not bad but still boring.

I’m getting tired of these singer-songwriters on this list…

I was dreading listening to this, since the folk bender 1001 records has taken me on so far has been horrible. But Tracy sounds great! I get Peter Gabriel vides here and there. Can't pinpoint why or where specifically, and this is clearly a lot more simplified as far as instrumentation goes. Anyway, I guess it's the colout of here voice and style of singing that grabbed me. Doesn't sound droney nor uninterested, which is a bit win in my book.

This was a re-listen for me, but it has been a very long time. I still enjoy this music immensely. Her voice is so evocative, it’s almost painful to hear her sing some of these lyrics. This album was such a powerful social force when it was first released, I was surprised how fresh and relevant it seemed all these years later.

loving this

An enjoyable listen!

- Plezant op 't gemak - 1 nummer toegevoegd aan MMMM

Perfect nostalgia

Just such a beautiful and heartfelt work. Also never realized the social commentary that was here ( I was only aware of Fast Car before). Seems like not much has changed.

É um bom disco, só não é minha pira. Já disse anteriormente que songwriting é a última coisa que me atento ao ouvir música, e aqui, é o foco principal. Mas a voz dela é bonita e as composições são boas. Algumas das canções escapam da vibe "Uma moça e um violão" e apresentam uns arranjos um pouco mais interessantes pro meu gosto. No geral, um disco fácil de ouvir e de tirar proveito. Bom. 3.5/5

Super. Love her voice. Excellent album.

In some ways if Tracy Chapman had only written Fast Car it would probably have been worth the whole album. Thankfully the rest is also actually quite interesting and often political. I go up and down on the folk singer songwriter style, here I mostly enjoy it though there are parts I could take or leave. If Not Now in particular I found quite boring. In general the second half feels much weaker than the first. I don't know if I will return to the full album again but I will certainly play certain tracks many times again. I think more of a 3.5 but 4 didn't feel right.

Another album from long ago. A good listen many years later. Such a strong voice!

It's really common for political songs to age well because they're about the American government not changing anything. This album aged really well because the American government never changes anything. It's 2025 and this album is more relevant than it was in 1988, from every single point the album makes. You'd think that some part of this album would've aged in 37 years, but nothing has. Not the instrumentals, not the lyricism, not anything. Behind the Wall is especially relevant today with how awful the pigs that call themselves "peace officers" treat assault victims, Talkin' Bout a Revolution is especially relevant because that revolution still hasn't happened, and this whole album is especially relevant because rampant fascism and equally rampant indifference keep it relevant. This is one of the best records of the 80s, not just for the music itself, but for the fact that the people at the top inadvertently keep it relevant by continuing to treat people beneath them like shit. Past my ranting, this album is also amazing musically. Tracy Chapman has an amazing and amazingly unique voice that's nothing but pleasant to hear for the whole album. Her songwriting is great even when it isn't incredibly political, like in For My Lover. This album comes to mind when I think "Albums you should listen to before you die."

Great album with two of her greatest songs on it - Fast Cars and Revolutions. The arrangements are simple but effective and Chapman has a great voice

It's ok

I feel Fast car being such a strong lead single over shadows just how stong the rest of this album is. Talkin bout revolution is every bit as powerful as Fast car and in tandem are hard to beat. Her voice has so much depth and warmth to it which is emphasised by the fairly simplistic musical arrangements of most songs. Baby can i hold you and She’s got her ticket are other stand outs in a really good album.

I’ve never listened to the entirety of this, but assumed I would like - and like it I very, very much did. It is absolutely beautiful, from start to finish. Evocative lyrics that tackle issues like racial divide, racism, and domestic violence that - sadly - are as relevant today as they were in 1988. The album features tracks from a multitude of genres including country, reggae, and the beautiful acoustic sound that I automatically associate with Tracy Chapman. Aside from the “hits” that I already knew and loved, standouts for me were “Mountains O’ Things” and “She’s Got Her Ticket”, but all of the tracks were so good that the album got a (very rare for me) second play.

Track 1 I know best through Reel Big Fish's ska version so this was a very different experience, although I have always loved the "run, run, runs". Away from Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution I knew Fast Car and Baby Can I Hold You, the latter also mostly via a (terrible)cover version. The former has great lyrics that I honestly never really paid much attention to before. I actually enjoyed this quite a lot, which I think might have a been helped by listening to this in an airport (AKA a place I find extremely stressful) because she has an extremely relaxing voice. It might not be the most exciting album in the world but it was extremely lovely. More a 3.5 for me, but I'm plumping for: 4/5

I was familiar with 3/4 or her singles. Always appreciated her voice and the stripped back music itself without ever really having any affinity to it. While it was nice to hear the rest of the album and k absolutely can see why it’s here (I don’t think there has ever been a successful imitation) I still don’t see myself choosing to listen to it. I’ll probably give it a three, but it’s a 3.5

tracy the goat

I grew up relatively poor, surrounded by the stereotypical poor people problems. Relatives were disgruntled alcoholics. Friends died of overdoses. The power was cut from my first apartment multiple times. I’ve seen neighbors get evicted. I was never homeless myself, but I knew the names of the homeless in my neighborhood. The surrounding mentality is that there’s no winning this game. A good friend of mine often spoke of a revolution that is bound to erupt. This Tracy Chapman album, for obvious reasons, made me remember my friend and these hard times. Maybe occupy Wall Street was that revolution, and maybe the fact that nothing came from OWS is why I don’t hear people talking about revolt anymore. Maybe I’m just on better footing in life and surround myself with more stable people. That’s a longwinded way of saying, I know the people in these songs, and I’m familiar with the pain that TC’s communicating. I also resist that mentality because I know what a trap it is, and while in the world of these songs, I feel that trap closing-in around me. It really got me down. There is an artistry here, transmitting a feeling of defeat and oppression. It’s not a feeling I love sitting in. Art doesn’t have to be cozy, just powerful. TC’s power is subtle. For these reasons, I’m glad I’ve heard the album, and I understand its place here. It’s achieved the aim of true art. I will probably not be returning to it, though, because it relates a whole world, a whole mentality, that I spent a decade trying to rise out of.

such a beautiful voice

I don't know ... I can see why a lot might like it. For me personally it's a earache.

No

Great album front to back

soft folk music. it's produced in a way where it can pass off as country or acoustic pop. lots of people have fond memories of this album, especially when it comes to their parents, and i can relate. chapman's humble and determined tracks work for a lot of listeners. she's got a really good voice and some of the standouts in the album are amazing. i like the attitude she presents to the listener, about moving forward and not getting left behind. some of the other tracks blend in, and there's a few songs that use some pretty corny synthesizers, but for the most part you're getting something relatively solid here. you'll like most of what you hear, even if those filler tracks are a bit of an acquired taste.

Liked the first half, second not so much

Meh

Nostalgic

This is not to my taste but clearly a very good album by a talented artist. It has stood the test of time.

This is the hundred ninety eighth album I’m rating. Every Tracy Chapman song I’ve listened to has been pretty good. Adding to my Playlist - Talkin’ Bout a Revolution, Fast Car, Across the Lines, Behind the Wall, Baby Can I Hold You, Mountains O’ Things, She’s Got Her Ticket, Why?, For my Lover, If Not Now…, and For You. Not Adding to my Playlist - Nothing. All in all I liked 11/11 songs. Some of the gayest folk ever.

ну фолк, что с него взять. В целом не худший образец. Не, кал

Classic

Weeping and wailing and rending my garments

classical

Good, folky but with various twists, including melodic percussion and the occasional reggae-inflected rhythm section. Chapman's plaintive and personal lyrics are a feature here, so if you're not aligned on all the issues she sings about, it may not land (Erlewine for AllMusic is critical of her use of "begged questions" and truisms, so apparently rhetorical techniques are up for musical criticism now, too). 'Fast Car' was absolutely everywhere on the radio, growing up in the 90's, so this album had a crater to go with its impact. It was a sizeable debut and starkly different in an era defined by hair metal. A political singer-songwriter didn't often make a splash in those days and this kicked something off. How does it hold up to the ears of a (aging) modern listener without the need for a palette cleanser from hair metal (which is actually refreshing to hear occasionally in 2025 -- see the 'Peacemaker' soundtrack)? It's OK. Folk-inflected and singer-songwriter music in the late 80's and early 90's was often wordy (a crude imitation of Michael Stipe? a desperate need for an editor?) and that is often the first thing that hits me. 'Fast Car' is kind of an all-timer but the rest of the album sounds a bit like a competent mid-billing act from Lilith Fair. That's no an insult, either -- just the most distilled description I can give you. If nothing else, the album is only 36 minutes long. If you're looking for a female singer-songwriter, you might be better served with Ani DiFranco from this era, or Lauren Hill from a little later (her second pseudo-album, especially). Carly Simon or Joni Mitchell from earlier. Lucinda Williams, Sarah Harmer or Madison Cunningham if you want to get, stepwise, more modern. You won't be sad you listened to this -- and it's short -- but I'd suggest that to really grasp the impact on the music scene of its time, you'll need to do quite a lot of reading. That's not necessarily disqualifying, but it is qualifying -- and that's exactly the sort of pedantic, lexicographical nadir that is typical of this style of music. If you hated that last sentence, maybe listen to something else. 3/5

A lot of hits on this album, really good songs with music that stick in your mind

Wow, I really liked her voice! ofc the only song I have heard is "Fast Car", I had no idea it was from her though, very timeless. Lovely playlist but nothing I'd listen to regularly!

teetering between a 4 and a 5. Should maybe be a 5. I am going to push it to a 5

She's so authentic that even when the lyrics veer towards preachy it's still good...addressing issues before they became trendy and (unfortunately) they're still relevant today. Fast Car is an all time classic of course, but For My Lover is a standout track too

Nice

I am not really into singer/songwriter music, but her voice is really good. I also like the topics of her songs, although they are quite serious and not fun at all.

Nice chill background songs Fast Car stuck in my head ALL day I liked Baby can I hold you, that's deffo been in a few rom com montages

did-not-listen PSYCH! 🤪 Our Trace is neither a chap nor a man but my goodness does she have a lot to say. What a beautiful yet chilling album. The accapella track Behind the Wall is really arresting. You would hope that an 80s album with commentary on domestic violence and racism wouldn't resonate so much today. Alas.  Who am I to give this album anything less than 5 stars.

Sincere and engaging in a way that some singer-songwriter styles fall short. Dynamic and lively, sometimes mournful and haunting. The generally light touch of the production stops it feeling dated. I think a lot of this would translate really well into live performances. By the end of the album I'd grown suspicious and distrusting because it made my burnt-out husk-brain do some feelings.

Laaaaaaaaavely

Across the lines and behind the wall. The album is at risk of the over played pop songs pigeon holing it as twee and radio 2 but its really a beautiful folk album.

A lovely voice and a lovely listen.

TC by TC has been my favourite album of this process so far. fast car was the only song I was aware of going in but clearly someone should’ve done a better job of telling me how good the rest of this album is. Disappointed with family, friends the school system and the universe for not telling me about this sooner and may never trust them again but at least I’ve got TC to get me through this difficult time

A seminal album in the folk-pop revival that emerged in the mid to late 80s with strong melodies and thoughtful lyrics that touch on the full array of topics in the folk tradition - including protest songs. “Fast Car” remains the album’s highlight, but there are others nearly as good. And it all wraps up in a tight package of less than 40 minutes.

Classic

Love the album!

A really wonderful Album.

Solid writing

Exemplary entry in the singer-songwriter category. I’d heard Fast Car like everyone else on this planet, but was unprepared for the raw emotion of the rest. Excellent.

Lyrics are deep and depressive af. Good messages but the music is so fucking depressing I never want to listen to the album ever again.

The extremely warm and comfy album from how folksy and small everything feels, obviously the lyrics are a huge highlight (Fast Car, hello) but I think the best thing about this album is that I feel comforted listening to it

Personally not my type of music, but nice lyrics and songwriting

Fast car is legit. The rest of the album this dumbass is complaining about the police. Groundbreaking

This album is great, and I'm glad she's being rediscovered, but I just got over having "Fast Car" stuck in my head for 30 years so gonna pass on actually listening to it again.

This brings me back to high school in the late ‘80s and makes me realize, given its popularity, how much this album cut against the grain of the popular culture at the time. It was of a piece with the likes of REM and Edie Brickell but was more explicitly concerned with social and political issues than either of them. Some really good songs, along with a couple I don’t love, weighed down by overly slick production.

What a voice! Glad to see this album on the list.

I'd only heard fast car. This is sincere and nice but I don't think I'll revisit much.

It's held up. A lovely listen.

2.75

Melodies and voice are nice, but extremely mellow for my taste

tried this like 5 times in my life, absolutely can’t get into it

Enjoyed. Funny enough my intro to Tracy was a Reel Big Fish cover of the first track on this good album.

Yo this would rule if it didn’t sound like Kohl’s. (Good hooks / songwriting but holy shit this sounds like it was recorded directly to Casio keyboard demo mode)

Honestly somewhat shocking how subversive some of the lyrics on this album are. Fast Car sucked up all the attention, and then you miss a lot of things like "Don't ya know? / They're talking about a revolution / It sounds like a whisper / Poor people gonna rise up / And get their share." Tell me, why do the babies starve? When there's enough food to feed the world Why when there are so many of us Are there people still alone? Why are the missiles called Peacekeepers When they're aimed to kill? Why is a woman still not safe When she's in her home?

Good album, skip track 4, behind the wall

Day 2 of rolling highly praised Folk/Singer Songwriter albums. This one is marginally better than the one from yesterday. It grew on me enough to bump it up from an initial 2 to a 3. The subject matter is obviously immensely depressing and I don’t want to listen to it past today, but as a whole it was a worthwhile experience. It’s an important album for addressing many political and social issues plaguing the African American community, through the music of someone with a beautiful voice. While depressing, her voice is somewhat uplifting and soothing at the same time, which makes you really want to keep listening. My favorite song on this album was “Why?”. I like the rapid fire questioning and tempo of that song specifically. Hoping I don’t get stun locked into a bunch of Folk/Singer Songwriter albums. I’d like to get back to some good old Rock that I'm more familiar with, but this album was pretty good. Not something I would want to come back to, but it was good. Just, for the love of God, please give me a happier album tomorrow!! Please!!

Tracy has such an effortlessly precise voice. Very compelling listen, though the music at times lost my interest. But I think the themes and lyrics really hooked me. My favorite songs were probably the first two.

Fast cars is indeed a good song. I would have never thought to play this and definitely 88 vibes.

Loved it! Wish it was a little bit longer.

44/1001 :: Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman Heard before? ❌ Would I revisit? ✅ Rating: 7 Fav Tracks: Fast Car, Behind The Wall, For My Lover Fun Fact: Tracy Chapman went to Wooster High School which is a small arts focused private school in my hometown. I know very little about her time there but I know that shortly after her time there she made this record. Fast Car is such a damn good song and I’ve loved it since the 80s. I had never heard this album before but recently considered buying it because it had been reissued and I know it had been out of print for so long. After hearing it though I’m probably gonna hold on that. Overall, It was an enjoyable listen but TBH I wish the songs were a little more stripped down. There’s a lot of instrumentation on here that feels kinda 80s in a We Are The World or Paul Simon kinda way. I still kinda want to own this but It’ll probably have to be good used copy find than a must have.

Pleasant to listen to and I liked her voice.

Look everyone knows “Fast Car” which is an excellent piece of music with very good lyrics, but outside of that song I was completely unfamiliar with this record. I liked opener “Talkin’ ‘Bout A Revolution” and “Across The Lines”, I really liked “Baby Can I Hold You”. I wasn’t a fan of the accapella of “Behind The Wall”, and look the whole record sounds 80s but the 80s on “Mountains O’ Things” is not my thing, and I do need to make clear, I have a fairly low tolerance for 80s production, sometimes the songwriting can rise above the production but things that sound really 80s are things I often have issues with and it’s generally specific parts of 80s sounds, if you went and looked at my other reviews you’d 100% see what I mean. Anyway, “Why?” Was really good. I also liked “For My Lover” overall this album was good,

I know there is a lot of hype around this album, and while she does have a great voice it sounds a little like elevator music after a while.

It was fine. The feature song is Fast Car.

hey schono kuul, es paar songs sind au es zitli lang mal mega in gsi. generell gfalled mir singer-songwriter-albe nöd so, will ichs meistens langwiilig find. das da findi jetz uf de interessantere siite, en a capella song, verschiedeni instrumentierige, nöd nur gliichförmigi harmonie und rhythme.

Wonderful, I kept coming back to it. Very enjoyable 4-5

Some sublime moments on this incredible debut. Acoustic rock powered by Chapman's great voice and political lyrics.

Never listened to the whole album before. Not bad.

Forgot how good this album is. Deceptively simple songs with great delivery.

It's not just the classics that still hold up all these years later, but the tracks I'd not heard before. Silky smooth vocals

Forgot how much i loved this album.

Oh my what an album. Haven’t heard this in over 20 years and still know every word.

A lot better than I remember. Perhaps I've mellowed in my old age,

Very nice. This album works best when she isn’t trying to be the voice of a movement, but rather the voice of a single life caught in a larger system. The folk-protest roots are there, but the emotional knockout punch comes when she’s just telling you about one person’s kitchen-table reality. "Talkin' Bout a Revolution" is probably the exception, it’s about the poor rising up, and she sings it like she’s right there on the street with them. It's all about her voice, minimal accompaniment, "Fast Car", "For my Lover" and "Behind the Wall" really give that "person at the kitchen table view of the world she lives in. Very nice.

One of a kind. Phenomenal album.

At first I had speculation because I was not into a what I thought was a blues or jazz artist. Then I was going to work one morning I heard Fast Cars. Deep meaningful and sad voice came out of the radio. To me she was the artist of that year. Now world known, but some places cannot figure where to put in the music genre.

Middle of the road, like a fast car. I find "behind the wall" boring.

Loved this album from the first time I heard. Captured the heart and soul of those who struggle and reminded me of a Steinbeck novel. Fast Cars is the crowd pleaser but there are multiple great songs captured on this one. Was happy to see Luke Combs recognized and brought Fast Cars back to life.

Álbum muito agradável. Gostei! Moondrop May.

Album 859 of 1089 Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman (1988) Rating : 3 / 5 Not feeling my best today, but still managed to give this one a listen. Tracy Chapman’s debut is a fine album—thoughtful, powerful songwriting and a calm strength in her delivery. It’s not something I usually reach for, but it’s easy to appreciate the talent and heart behind it. A solid listen from a truly gifted artist.

I've been listening to this since the 80s. What a powerful, personal, political, perfect folk album. I hope to listen to it a hundred times again.

oh...

Input > output but enough to keep me interested

Nice

Beautiful from start to finish. Big love for Tracy. I have all her albums, this is only the 1st of many that are FANTSTIC from start to finish. Seeing her in concert was a musical highlight and a privilege, just thinking about it gets me teary!

This album cuts deep. She very publicly displays her inner pain, passion, love, fear, and heartache. It's beautiful.

What a way to open a a debut album. Any album really. Taking Bout a Revolution feeling like could have been written 20, 30, 50 years earlier. Simple. Thoughtful. Open. And to follow that with Fast Car. I mean. There's a whole career in those verses. Everything is a wrung below but still riveting. That this album could enchant a dumbass teen like myself - and continues to - speaks volumes. This is what talent looks like - and when it finds the right time and outlet - magic happens.

Never heard a full album of hers. But she's worth it. Her vibrato is what makes she famous. Not why I like her, though. 3,3

Good

Devastatingly beautiful debut album from Ms. Chapman. Her delivery is so raw, poignant, and power.... We still have so much work to do.

I like that it did not follow the norms of what was popular back in the late 80s, but I dont see why it should be an album that someone must hear before they die. Fast Car? Yes indeed, but the whole project nah.

Vroooom vroom fast car

Great story telling like Dylan except with a beautiful voice to tell those tales.

this makes me want to kill myself in the best way

I know I should like Fast Car, but it makes me want to throw up. Everything else sops up that vomit tho!!!!

Banger after banger. NGL I had no idea this was from the 80's. It was one of the top played CDs in my Mom's car when I was little.

Kind of boring overall

Really good but such a debbie downer of an album

I didn’t appreciate this that much when I was younger, but an enjoyable album.

I really enjoyed this album, and the songwriting is exemplified when listened as a cohesive body of work. I was so tired of Fast Car covers on X Factor, I felt I never wanted to hear Tracey Chapman again, how wrong I was!

4/10

Not my genre

Absolutely fantastic album that is still so relevant today. Hup the altos as well, a true authentic representation

Critically acclaimed. Much loved. So, it's me, not you, I just don't care for it, or her. Sorry. 2

I was lucky enough to get this album when I had a long drive ahead - I listened to it twice. It was awesome

such a beautiful thing

Amazing amazing album, but not quite a 5. A lot of 5 star tracks though.

Powerful record. Fast Car is an all time song, I also love the simplicity of most of these songs especially Behind the Wall. Compact songs that don't overstay their welcome.

i have already heard ts

One of my favorite records. I listen to this one on vinyl from time to time.

So excellent

What a great voice she has!

Loved it then, love it now. This came out at a time when the women singer/song writer genre had a huge resurgence. Indigo Girls, Michelle Shocked, Suzanne Vega all had hits around the same era. Tracy, in my opinion, is the best of them.

I will keep this short, but it funny that this album follows Sinead who I was pretty harsh on. I didnt dislike it, I just felt she was bringing down the room in every song. I am ok with dark stuff in music, Tracy has plenty, but the music sounds great and you can really get into it. Its all about delivery and the way you present the dark stuff, and Tracy does thks very well, translating her message into teally good music. Favorites are Talking About A Revolution, of course Fast Car, Mountains O Things, Why?, For My Lover, there is really not a bad track on this album.

I realize I need to expand my mind and my library. I understand why this is a good record but it does nothing for me thus I don’t ever think to listen to it.

Wow. Unbelievably moving album. She is so incredible the lyrics and her vocals and songwriting are just so elite. Need to come back to this

Really great songs… fell asleep tbh but good

Wonderful

Best of the best

This was really good. Need another listen

Strong voice and story telling. One great song, some average, some derivative

Really nice. I love her voice. Who doesn't love Fast Car. Four stars

"Fast Car" is a fantastic song, but it's far from the only one on this album. The bass tone on "Across the Lines" reminded me of the bass on Peter Gabriel's "Mercy Street"; turns out both were by Larry Klein. Chapman's voice is top notch.

This was quality. Just really instant when listening to it, production was great. Fantastic songwriting.

Just not for me

For decades I took Tracy Chapman for granted, given how much radio play Fast Car gets. What a wild launch to fame she had. Great voice, 3* Highlights: fast car

she has a great voice and she writes songs very well. at times the album felt a little bit repetitive but overall it was great.

This album could’ve been 20 fast cars and it still would get a five from me. Incredible project!

Outside of Fast Car there wasn't a huge amount here that I found memorable. Face Tune: Fast Car

Classic. Devastating. Inspiring. What else is there to say, maybe perfect.

She's like the daughter of Cat Stevens and Joni Mitchell. Ugh. I have to look away from Fast Car if I don't want to sob at work. So heavy, so solid. PS her wiki article sucks! So dry haha

Subdued socially conscious music with lots of variety, not always for the best though. Shout out to Larry Klein, who kills it on the bass!

This was a very good album.

I could listen to this album while hosting a dinner party, taking a good drive, or even just relaxing and reading a book while it plays in the background. Chapman's voice is hypnotic, and these are solid, very listenable songs. Very enjoyable overall.

3,25

Give me one reason to stay here...was not on this album.. but fast cars was those were the only two I was familiar with. I don't think I was in quite the headspace to listen to this when I did so I will need to give it another listen sometime soon. Otherwise it was good 90s coffee shop music.

A simple-but-powerful sounding album. Smooth and pleasant to have on. Will have to revisit to actually dig into the songs. Favorite song: Mountains O' Things

Absolutnie przepyszne

Really good album

Solid record, I'm not too crazy about it. Fast Car is a phenomenal tune but now I know that Tracy Chapman has more in the bag than what I knew previously (7/10, 3/5 on this scale)

Yas queen

Killer debut by Tracy Chapman, perfect for the 1001 Mist Hear List with messages on human suffering, downtrodden females, and social injustice. You can feel that she sings from the heart, and likely personal experience. L = (5.0*s) could listen to this over and over, and I have. J = (4.1*s) still holds up, sad and sadly still talking about that revolution…

Oh Man did this album Chap my ass growing up. Mom almost melted the CD with how much play it got...please stop! After this listen however, I don't despise it as much. "Fast Car" is actually not that bad and the rest of the record is pretty nice. Nice little jungly scene and pipes on "Mountains O' Things." I can't believe this was released in '88. Always thought it was a late 90's album. Ahead of it's time which now boosts my overall rating. I'm not doing a full 180 over here but I'll give Tracy some credit. At the budding age of 14 this would've got a 0.0 from me. At 43, it's getting 2.15 stars. Damn...I am getting old😒

I expected this album might show up on this list but didn't realize how worth of an entry it is. First of all, I had no idea this album was from 1988, nor that it brought in multiple Grammy awards. It's well deserving as Tracy Chapman strings together a handful of pretty catchy tunes that tell a story and/or present a message pretty effectively. A handful of tracks feature some raw and emotional vocals that provide some impact. With a more mature ear I can now appreciate how solid of an album this is. As a bratty, snot-nosed high-schooler I constantly ripped on this album. This may have been related to some over-play within the household, but the case stands that perhaps apologies are in order for not realizing how talented Tracy Chapman was. Solid marks to Tracy for bringing it on her debut. 3.06 stars

Great songs and singing

What a talent. Pretty great stuff here, conscientious, melodic, smooth. Not too long, not too short. My only gripe, which isn't a real gripe but is personal taste, and is something I've dinged a lot of albums on, is that it doesn't blow me away. It's good. It's very good. But the mellow tone and simple sound leave me feeling like I want a little more. Shameful 4.

an exhilarating experience. truly a perfect album.

While her melodies are often simple and straightforward, Tracy Chapman has a unique ability to paint a beautiful and complex picture with her lyrics.

"Fast Car" is one of those truly great songs. Even though Chapman was only 23 when this album was recorded, her voice has a weariness to it, that perfectly fits the tone of the record.

Fast car is an excellent song. The rest here suffers from sameness. It’s a bit of a bore. I respect the message and her vocals. But it doesn’t do much for me unfortunately.

Still a relevant album and really her seminal work, it has been nice to see that Tracy is getting more recognition in recent years. Love that it was reissued on vinyl this year which I will pick up at some point. I love Tracy's voice it has a strength and fragility to it and it hasn't diminished over the years. Stand out tracks: - Talkin' Bout a Revolution - Fast Car - Across the Lines - Behind the Wall - Baby Can I Hold You Tonight - She's Got Her Ticket - Why? - For My Lover - For You

I know this artist. I remember listening to this artist and some of her songs on the radio, growing up. Good music. Nostalgic for me.

YEAAAAAAAAAAS i love Tracy so dearly

I've always enjoyed this album. "Talkin' About a Revolution" and especially "Fast Car" are iconic folk bangers. I come from a small town. If it weren't MTV, and the show 120 Minutes in particular, I never would have discovered this artist or album in the 80s. Less a protest album (thankfully) and instead one of the few singer/songwriter albums that eloquently shares personal suffering without it turning into long winded, eye-rolling preaching. As the Gen X, we were extremely lucky to receive Tracy Chapman and Suzanne Vega in the 1980s and 90s. As an aside, I agree with a fellow reviewer here when they said, "The guy who left the Secretary Rock review is absolutely unhinged."

Very good. Such a unique voice. Couple of belters on here and no bad ones

One of those albums that I can't listen to it's too real and it makes me think about things too seriously and then I can't function.

A few good songs, nothing super standout.

It's ok

Such a good album and every song poignant.

Fantastic album, deserving of it's reputation. Having only heard a couple of songs before, I didn't know what to expect from the rest but there's strong messages to each song and that voice will always histand as one of the best.

Think I used to have this album...it's OK

banger

Franchement j’ai passé une super moment

De gros classiques, un peu de mou sur certaines musiques qui lui enlève un point mais globalement solide sur ses appuis.

C'est sympa comme musique de fond.

Was expecting to not like this because of the remake of Fast Car, but this album is great!

Three amazing songs, and eight very good ones.

Wall to wall lesbian anthems right here.

Clever. Well crafted. Eloquent and perceptive. Dull.

Haven’t heard this whole album before, but obviously familiar with Fast Car. It’s an updated take on the folk/protest music of the 1960s that is melodically interesting with important, largely painful and disturbing, but also hopeful lyrics delivered in a clear, powerful voice. Bob Dylan should take some notes. 4⭐️

Not quite my style but super cool lyrics!

this was very pretty, tracy's voice is gorgeous. generally singer songwriter just isn't my jam

It was fine but nothing to write home about. 2.5

Excellent. Easy listening and not too long. 9/10.

Nostalgic, good for a work out, not my favorite anymore. Not the best production.

Excellent.

Poignant album about race, wealth inequality and the struggles of life that is just as sharp nearly 40 years later. Fast Car hits me every time. One of the best songs ever written?

Songs: Fast Car, Across the Line

Not my cup of tea but I can see why it has such a good reputation. The 80’s production make it sound dated but the songs beneath it, especially the first half, are nice enough

Not my kind of stuff, but it's a good album I guess.

That's a great album with well written songs! I'm only having a hard time with the 1988 clean and overproduced sound.

A no contest 5. Great album

Easy 5 this what an album

Good vibe !

This is a beautiful album. Although I listened to it during the late 80s, it wasn’t until this re-listen that I fully appreciate her simple but powerful lyrics. What an amazingly powerful singer/songwriter, The power is in the simplicity of the writing and the performance.

Tracy Chapman's voice and music is incredible, haunting, powerful and hugely impactful for teenage me when I first heard this album! I still remember the day my high school friend loaned me this album (which she had stolen from her mum's girlfriend!), and I still love it nearly 30 years on. I'm forever blown away by the sadness, anger and beauty of her lyrics. I've added For You to the 1001 playlist, but Behind the Wall is actually the most powerful track

I hated the remake by that one guy

7 times replay.

Clarity of the vocals and guitar was excellent. Voice was strong, great variety in tone and the story telling in a few of the songs was excellent

Good but not my thing

A legendary debut album that showcases the mysterious rise of Tracy Chapman and her affect on African American singer-songwriting and music in the late 1980s. Who doesn't love Fast Car?

One of my favorite albums of all time, but it has been a long while since I listened to it. ★★★★★

Some good tracks but overall a politically charged album that draws you out of the narrative

Starts really strong then mellows out, but good throughout.

She’s got her ticket ima prelepu gitaru, podseća me na reggae i neki blues. Album je za sada underwhelming, ima neki built up i mislim da konačno Tracy pušta glas posle ove pesme i zaista dobijam neku celovitu sliku. Jednostavno mislim da ovakav tekst ne ide uz ovaj žanr muzike. Ne možeš ni da plešeš uz ovu muziku jer Tracy priča o nepravdi kroz koju prolaze crnci, ali opet nije ni toliko tužna da sediš. Sama srž albuma je storytelling i gitara, ali me podseća na neki country i southern akcenat što mi se ne dopada. Nisam sigurna kako ću da ocenim ovo.. ima neverovatan glas tho, ja bih volela da ga je drugačije koristila. Ali opet to su moje preference. It’s good for sleeping, nije nešto uzbudljiv. Poslušaću druge albume jer mi izgledaju svežije:)) Drago mi je što je sve što je osećala uspela da pretoči u muziku. Ali i to što je pretočila je nekako too simple i loše napisano. Bavi se ona revolucijom i događajima iz 70-ih, samo je napisano za žene od 40 godina, bez kreativnosti, simbolike i metafore

Such a well produced album.

Such a damn good album

adri: 9, musicalmente adelantado a su tiempo, un estilo muy guay y personal, me ha gustado mucho la guitarra mar: 7, ideal para el momento (cruzando de francia a españa)

5.8/10 good but not my style

Very good 5/5

👎🏻

This is very much not my sort of thing. Fast Car remains a jam, but for me this sort of washes over me like a lot of other socks-and-sandals folk records.

Klar et album som står stærkest de 2 første numre. Men virkelige et godt album alt i alt også.

Magisk album. Så ægte og intens en skildring af livet på bunden.

Recently saw the video from Fast Cars in Wembley and it really put her in a whole new light for me. Brilliant.

I was really impressed by the first few tracks on this album-- the intimate singing, the sincere message, the stripped-down production-- but towards the end I found myself getting a bit bored and realizing some of the lyrics weren't as deep as they seemed. "Fast Car" is obviously the pinnacle of this album and is one of the best songs ever written (I wonder if it raises the bar so high that the other songs seem worse than they really are). Without any instrumentation, "Behind the Wall" spotlights Chapman's moving voice. "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" is just as relevant today as in 1988. "Mountains O' Things" is underrated, love the afrobeat under it. But some of the songs just didn't hit as hard. I think "She's Got Her Ticket" was my least favorite, with its distracting reggae beat and too much going on. Some songs kind of border on protest-song cliches and platitudes, e.g. "Why?" and "If Not Now...". Songs like "For My Lover" and "Baby Can I Hold You" felt a bit cheesy and didn't do it for me. I do think this album is an important classic and it feels very timeless, even if it's not entirely my thing. I'm hovering between 3-4 stars and will round up.

The single best singer/songwriter album. No debate. Doesn't get better after this.

Had heard quite a few songs before and was convinced she was a man because of her deep alto voice Was very solid album with chill acoustic guitar, amazing vocals and politically charged lyrics

Beautiful album Very meaningful lyrics First 5/5

Ultimately these ratings reflect on my personal response to these albums, I'm not grading on an objective/historic basis. So while Tracy Chapman has a beautiful emotive voice and I empathize with these stories and politics... I just can't get into this album. Just don't connect with it and was glad for the relatively short run time. Standouts: Fast Car

Outstanding

Wow this is really good. Not really my kind of music but Chapman is an amazing vocalist, the arrangements are interesting and effective and the songwriting is impeccable. The singles are crazy strong but the album tracks are also on par with them.

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