Tracy Chapman’s Grammy Moment of Pure Americanism

Breitbart ^ | 4 Feb 2024 | John Nolte

[yldstrk]

Agree.

[workerbee]

Oliver Anthony really screwed himself when he pretended not to have any political slant to his song.
But, who knows?

[Albion Wilde]

How lovely and gracious!

[drSteve78]

Old enough to have in my iTunes collection. Worthy of night driving comfort.

[Albion Wilde]

Never heard this song before so forgive me if I don’t get it. Nothing special about it, not to me at least. Why all the fuss?

I think the appeal, besides the hypnotic melody, is that this young black person in very sad, dire circumstances -- quit school to take care of an alcoholic father after her mother left and dumped the burden on her; she is working in a convenience store; she is living with in a shelter -- still has the dream of going somewhere with her friend, starting over, getting jobs and working their way out of poverty and hopelessness.

This was the American dream shared by so many people then -- you can be someone if you are willing to work. It was inspiring as the story unfolds of one strike against her after another, and yet she was willing to try.

[Political Junkie Too]

While her solo acoustical rendition speaks to her self, this "country" version adds a dimension from just the instrumentation that is typical of country songs. The accenting slide guitar, the emphatic picks, and the finale crescendo give her song a new vitality.

Her solo performance at the 1988 Nelson Mandela tribute concert also stands apart as a tour de force of the power of her own persona performing the song, but it really shines in this country setting.

The story goes that Stevie Wonder was supposed to perform at the Mandela tribute but refused to play because of a last-minute technical glitch, so the producers pushed Chapman out in front of 70,000 people at the last minute with just her guitar. You can hear her shaky voice in the beginning, but she pulls herself together and finishes the song with the strength of her voice and message.

-PJ

[umbagi]

Need to start calling TayTay “Cameo” for popping up anywhere there’s a camera.

[Rummyfan]

A great song, probably the best one hit wonder, and that is nothing against Tracy.

Some artists have many hits in them. McCartney for example. Some have only one. Better to have one than none and no shame in that. Chapman did have one other though - Give Me One Reason.

[Rummyfan]

That performance by Chapman is also referenced at the link.

[Rummyfan]

Oh well. I suppose it is far better than Rap and current Pop.

You can say that again!

[jdsteel]

He did it as a cover.

‘Nuff said.

[Jamestown1630]

I think she could have done lots more if she had wanted to.

One of the reasons I admire her is that she has kept herself and her personal life TO herself.

Not everyone wants to give it all to the ‘business’.

[Jamestown1630]

Here she is with Pavarotti:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQdnl0_IuRg

[DIRTYSECRET]

Columnist Steven Chapman wrote a critical article on her in the 80’s. Had to do with her song about revolution.