Tracy Chapman Online
@tracychapmanonline.bsky.social
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https://tracychapmanonline.substack.com/
Verified news, exclusive finds, and deep archival dives into Tracy Chapman’s life and music
https://tracychapmanonline.substack.com/
Verified news, exclusive finds, and deep archival dives into Tracy Chapman’s life and music
Jimmy Cliff’s music carried hope, resistance, and joy across generations. From « The Harder They Come » to « Many Rivers to Cross », he changed music, not only reggae forever. His songs will keep guiding us for many rivers to come. 🕊️💚💛❤️
Photo KMazur / WireImage file
Photo KMazur / WireImage file
November 24, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Jimmy Cliff’s music carried hope, resistance, and joy across generations. From « The Harder They Come » to « Many Rivers to Cross », he changed music, not only reggae forever. His songs will keep guiding us for many rivers to come. 🕊️💚💛❤️
Photo KMazur / WireImage file
Photo KMazur / WireImage file
🌻 Celebrating 30 years since the release of the "New Beginning" album
We'd love to hear your favourite track or memory of this era.
We'd love to hear your favourite track or memory of this era.
November 14, 2025 at 4:50 PM
🌻 Celebrating 30 years since the release of the "New Beginning" album
We'd love to hear your favourite track or memory of this era.
We'd love to hear your favourite track or memory of this era.
This dog's name caught our attention. Tracy Chapman is a beautiful two-year-old German shepherd who is in danger of being euthanized on September 24 if she is not rescued.
Please, somebody save her!
She's in Contra Costa County, California. Call Contra Costa Animal Services 925-608-8400
Please, somebody save her!
She's in Contra Costa County, California. Call Contra Costa Animal Services 925-608-8400
September 22, 2025 at 9:02 AM
This dog's name caught our attention. Tracy Chapman is a beautiful two-year-old German shepherd who is in danger of being euthanized on September 24 if she is not rescued.
Please, somebody save her!
She's in Contra Costa County, California. Call Contra Costa Animal Services 925-608-8400
Please, somebody save her!
She's in Contra Costa County, California. Call Contra Costa Animal Services 925-608-8400
When people say they wore out an album, they literally did! How is your original copy? 😉
#tracychapman #debutalbum #fastcar
#tracychapman #debutalbum #fastcar
August 25, 2025 at 1:19 PM
When people say they wore out an album, they literally did! How is your original copy? 😉
#tracychapman #debutalbum #fastcar
#tracychapman #debutalbum #fastcar
(1/2) Everyone knows Tracy Chapman’s voice.
Few know the voice that shaped it.
Her sister Aneta was the first to hear every song Tracy ever wrote, starting when she was eight. She was also the first to say, “That one’s not good” or “Keep going.”
Aneta wasn’t just a sister...
Few know the voice that shaped it.
Her sister Aneta was the first to hear every song Tracy ever wrote, starting when she was eight. She was also the first to say, “That one’s not good” or “Keep going.”
Aneta wasn’t just a sister...
August 11, 2025 at 3:49 PM
(1/2) Everyone knows Tracy Chapman’s voice.
Few know the voice that shaped it.
Her sister Aneta was the first to hear every song Tracy ever wrote, starting when she was eight. She was also the first to say, “That one’s not good” or “Keep going.”
Aneta wasn’t just a sister...
Few know the voice that shaped it.
Her sister Aneta was the first to hear every song Tracy ever wrote, starting when she was eight. She was also the first to say, “That one’s not good” or “Keep going.”
Aneta wasn’t just a sister...
Tracy Chapman’s first big break didn’t come from a record label. It came from @nataliemerchant.bsky.social who cried while listening to an advance tape of her debut album.
Natalie believed in Tracy’s music and made sure that others heard it, too. She even opened for Tracy at her own show.
Natalie believed in Tracy’s music and made sure that others heard it, too. She even opened for Tracy at her own show.
July 27, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Tracy Chapman’s first big break didn’t come from a record label. It came from @nataliemerchant.bsky.social who cried while listening to an advance tape of her debut album.
Natalie believed in Tracy’s music and made sure that others heard it, too. She even opened for Tracy at her own show.
Natalie believed in Tracy’s music and made sure that others heard it, too. She even opened for Tracy at her own show.
Tracy's final performance at the Lilith Fair 1997 in Camden was unforgettable.
She danced. She grooved.
She led a surprise performance of "Proud Mary."
Sarah McLachlan, Joan Osborne, and Victoria Williams joined her one by one.
There was ecstasy on stage 🕺
She danced. She grooved.
She led a surprise performance of "Proud Mary."
Sarah McLachlan, Joan Osborne, and Victoria Williams joined her one by one.
There was ecstasy on stage 🕺
July 17, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Tracy's final performance at the Lilith Fair 1997 in Camden was unforgettable.
She danced. She grooved.
She led a surprise performance of "Proud Mary."
Sarah McLachlan, Joan Osborne, and Victoria Williams joined her one by one.
There was ecstasy on stage 🕺
She danced. She grooved.
She led a surprise performance of "Proud Mary."
Sarah McLachlan, Joan Osborne, and Victoria Williams joined her one by one.
There was ecstasy on stage 🕺
Guess who’s #1 on The New York Times’ July 4th playlist?
Tracy Chapman’s “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” leads 10 powerful songs of rebellion and justice. 🔥
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/a...
Tracy Chapman’s “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” leads 10 powerful songs of rebellion and justice. 🔥
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/a...
July 4, 2025 at 6:24 AM
Guess who’s #1 on The New York Times’ July 4th playlist?
Tracy Chapman’s “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” leads 10 powerful songs of rebellion and justice. 🔥
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/a...
Tracy Chapman’s “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” leads 10 powerful songs of rebellion and justice. 🔥
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/a...
Songs are not poems. At least not to Tracy Chapman.
She made that distinction early on, in 1982, when she was only 18!
To her, songwriting and poetry serve different purposes.
Poetry, she once said, “calls for actual reading and attention.” Songs? You can hear them while driving, working, living.
She made that distinction early on, in 1982, when she was only 18!
To her, songwriting and poetry serve different purposes.
Poetry, she once said, “calls for actual reading and attention.” Songs? You can hear them while driving, working, living.
June 26, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Songs are not poems. At least not to Tracy Chapman.
She made that distinction early on, in 1982, when she was only 18!
To her, songwriting and poetry serve different purposes.
Poetry, she once said, “calls for actual reading and attention.” Songs? You can hear them while driving, working, living.
She made that distinction early on, in 1982, when she was only 18!
To her, songwriting and poetry serve different purposes.
Poetry, she once said, “calls for actual reading and attention.” Songs? You can hear them while driving, working, living.
Which Tracy Chapman lyric stays with you?
You know the one.
The line you whisper to yourself.
The one you quote when no one’s listening.
Share it.
Let someone else feel it too.
You know the one.
The line you whisper to yourself.
The one you quote when no one’s listening.
Share it.
Let someone else feel it too.
June 25, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Which Tracy Chapman lyric stays with you?
You know the one.
The line you whisper to yourself.
The one you quote when no one’s listening.
Share it.
Let someone else feel it too.
You know the one.
The line you whisper to yourself.
The one you quote when no one’s listening.
Share it.
Let someone else feel it too.
Stuff you learn when you hang out on Reddit: Ry Cooder enjoying Tracy Chapman? Wow!
June 24, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Stuff you learn when you hang out on Reddit: Ry Cooder enjoying Tracy Chapman? Wow!
“He told me to run or he'd shoot me. I didn't run. I stood my ground.”
It’s quiet. She doesn’t raise her voice. But what she says is earth-shattering.
It’s quiet. She doesn’t raise her voice. But what she says is earth-shattering.
June 22, 2025 at 5:28 PM
“He told me to run or he'd shoot me. I didn't run. I stood my ground.”
It’s quiet. She doesn’t raise her voice. But what she says is earth-shattering.
It’s quiet. She doesn’t raise her voice. But what she says is earth-shattering.
Not everyone stays the person they were raised to be.
This first comment, left on a YouTube video, is proof of that.
Racist upbringing.
Changed by one song, "Across the Lines"
From hate to humanity.
From blindness to grace.
They didn’t just hear Tracy’s voice.
They listened.
This first comment, left on a YouTube video, is proof of that.
Racist upbringing.
Changed by one song, "Across the Lines"
From hate to humanity.
From blindness to grace.
They didn’t just hear Tracy’s voice.
They listened.
June 21, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Not everyone stays the person they were raised to be.
This first comment, left on a YouTube video, is proof of that.
Racist upbringing.
Changed by one song, "Across the Lines"
From hate to humanity.
From blindness to grace.
They didn’t just hear Tracy’s voice.
They listened.
This first comment, left on a YouTube video, is proof of that.
Racist upbringing.
Changed by one song, "Across the Lines"
From hate to humanity.
From blindness to grace.
They didn’t just hear Tracy’s voice.
They listened.
“Across the Lines” was one of only 5 songs Tracy performed at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert.
Let that sink in.
With all her repertoire, she chose this one.
Why?
Because freedom fighters recognize each other.
And pain respects pain.
Some songs are sung where change is born.
Let that sink in.
With all her repertoire, she chose this one.
Why?
Because freedom fighters recognize each other.
And pain respects pain.
Some songs are sung where change is born.
June 20, 2025 at 5:43 PM
“Across the Lines” was one of only 5 songs Tracy performed at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert.
Let that sink in.
With all her repertoire, she chose this one.
Why?
Because freedom fighters recognize each other.
And pain respects pain.
Some songs are sung where change is born.
Let that sink in.
With all her repertoire, she chose this one.
Why?
Because freedom fighters recognize each other.
And pain respects pain.
Some songs are sung where change is born.
I'm writing tomorrow's newsletter, which will be about Tracy Chapman’s song “Across The Lines”. My research leads me to walk the streets of Cleveland via Google Street View. Is this the bridge?
"Across the lines
Who would dare to go
Under the bridge
Over the tracks
That separates whites from blacks"
"Across the lines
Who would dare to go
Under the bridge
Over the tracks
That separates whites from blacks"
June 17, 2025 at 5:29 PM
I'm writing tomorrow's newsletter, which will be about Tracy Chapman’s song “Across The Lines”. My research leads me to walk the streets of Cleveland via Google Street View. Is this the bridge?
"Across the lines
Who would dare to go
Under the bridge
Over the tracks
That separates whites from blacks"
"Across the lines
Who would dare to go
Under the bridge
Over the tracks
That separates whites from blacks"
While “Fast Car” is often considered Tracy Chapman’s most iconic track, it was “Give Me One Reason” that climbed highest on the Billboard Hot 100. On this day in 1996, it reached its peak position at #3.
June 15, 2025 at 6:19 PM
While “Fast Car” is often considered Tracy Chapman’s most iconic track, it was “Give Me One Reason” that climbed highest on the Billboard Hot 100. On this day in 1996, it reached its peak position at #3.
Celebrating 37 years since Tracy Chapman’s iconic Nelson Mandela Birthday Concert performance that introduced her powerful voice to the world!
Subscribe now and watch your inbox later today for all the exclusive details! tracychapmanonline.substack.com
Subscribe now and watch your inbox later today for all the exclusive details! tracychapmanonline.substack.com
June 11, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Celebrating 37 years since Tracy Chapman’s iconic Nelson Mandela Birthday Concert performance that introduced her powerful voice to the world!
Subscribe now and watch your inbox later today for all the exclusive details! tracychapmanonline.substack.com
Subscribe now and watch your inbox later today for all the exclusive details! tracychapmanonline.substack.com
Thrilled that the newsletter reached #2 on Substack's Rising in Music ranking! 🎉
The next issue will focus on Tracy Chapman's songwriting process.
If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do so here 👇
tracychapmanonline.substack.com/subscribe
Thanks for your support and interest!
The next issue will focus on Tracy Chapman's songwriting process.
If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do so here 👇
tracychapmanonline.substack.com/subscribe
Thanks for your support and interest!
May 27, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Thrilled that the newsletter reached #2 on Substack's Rising in Music ranking! 🎉
The next issue will focus on Tracy Chapman's songwriting process.
If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do so here 👇
tracychapmanonline.substack.com/subscribe
Thanks for your support and interest!
The next issue will focus on Tracy Chapman's songwriting process.
If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do so here 👇
tracychapmanonline.substack.com/subscribe
Thanks for your support and interest!
Writer-director-actor Max Talisman @themaxtshow shares a definitive mixtape of the love songs that shaped his film « Things Like This », the song « Fast Car » is part of it. Here’s what he said about it:
(Source: Talkhouse.com)
(Source: Talkhouse.com)
May 17, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Writer-director-actor Max Talisman @themaxtshow shares a definitive mixtape of the love songs that shaped his film « Things Like This », the song « Fast Car » is part of it. Here’s what he said about it:
(Source: Talkhouse.com)
(Source: Talkhouse.com)
Tracy Chapman is back on the airwaves!
She joins Jo Whiley today on BBC Radio 2 to celebrate 35+ years since her debut album… and to share the music she loves.
📻 Tune in:
🕢 7:30pm London
🕝 2:30pm New York
🕦 11:30am San Francisco
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
#TracyChapman #BBCRadio2 #FastCar
She joins Jo Whiley today on BBC Radio 2 to celebrate 35+ years since her debut album… and to share the music she loves.
📻 Tune in:
🕢 7:30pm London
🕝 2:30pm New York
🕦 11:30am San Francisco
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
#TracyChapman #BBCRadio2 #FastCar
May 8, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Tracy Chapman is back on the airwaves!
She joins Jo Whiley today on BBC Radio 2 to celebrate 35+ years since her debut album… and to share the music she loves.
📻 Tune in:
🕢 7:30pm London
🕝 2:30pm New York
🕦 11:30am San Francisco
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
#TracyChapman #BBCRadio2 #FastCar
She joins Jo Whiley today on BBC Radio 2 to celebrate 35+ years since her debut album… and to share the music she loves.
📻 Tune in:
🕢 7:30pm London
🕝 2:30pm New York
🕦 11:30am San Francisco
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
#TracyChapman #BBCRadio2 #FastCar
Celebrating more than 35 years since the release of her chart-topping self-titled debut album, Tracy Chapman will join Jo Whiley on her show this Thursday, May 8, 2025, to pick some of her favorite music.
May 6, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Celebrating more than 35 years since the release of her chart-topping self-titled debut album, Tracy Chapman will join Jo Whiley on her show this Thursday, May 8, 2025, to pick some of her favorite music.
Tracy Chapman spoke to the @nytimes.com about the way she is pigeonholed by the songs she writes:
"I am writing. I’m still writing story songs. I know that I have been labeled as a protest singer, and it’s not a label that I accept. I’m not mad at it...
📸 Photo by Nicholas Albrecht
"I am writing. I’m still writing story songs. I know that I have been labeled as a protest singer, and it’s not a label that I accept. I’m not mad at it...
📸 Photo by Nicholas Albrecht
May 5, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Tracy Chapman spoke to the @nytimes.com about the way she is pigeonholed by the songs she writes:
"I am writing. I’m still writing story songs. I know that I have been labeled as a protest singer, and it’s not a label that I accept. I’m not mad at it...
📸 Photo by Nicholas Albrecht
"I am writing. I’m still writing story songs. I know that I have been labeled as a protest singer, and it’s not a label that I accept. I’m not mad at it...
📸 Photo by Nicholas Albrecht
We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of @jillsobule.bsky.social
Let us listen to her music to honor the wonderful singer-songwriter she was. Our hearts go out to her family, friends and fans 🙏
Let us listen to her music to honor the wonderful singer-songwriter she was. Our hearts go out to her family, friends and fans 🙏
May 2, 2025 at 9:22 AM
We are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of @jillsobule.bsky.social
Let us listen to her music to honor the wonderful singer-songwriter she was. Our hearts go out to her family, friends and fans 🙏
Let us listen to her music to honor the wonderful singer-songwriter she was. Our hearts go out to her family, friends and fans 🙏
If we needed yet another reason to love "Fast Car"👇
Did you know that Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" is one of the best songs you can play when testing speaker quality?
@nytwirecutter.bsky.social asked audio expert Brent Butterworth to explain why on this week's episode
Listen here: nyti.ms/42XSZXb
Did you know that Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" is one of the best songs you can play when testing speaker quality?
@nytwirecutter.bsky.social asked audio expert Brent Butterworth to explain why on this week's episode
Listen here: nyti.ms/42XSZXb
May 1, 2025 at 4:26 PM
If we needed yet another reason to love "Fast Car"👇
Did you know that Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" is one of the best songs you can play when testing speaker quality?
@nytwirecutter.bsky.social asked audio expert Brent Butterworth to explain why on this week's episode
Listen here: nyti.ms/42XSZXb
Did you know that Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car" is one of the best songs you can play when testing speaker quality?
@nytwirecutter.bsky.social asked audio expert Brent Butterworth to explain why on this week's episode
Listen here: nyti.ms/42XSZXb
You can now listen to the replay of "Something About the Women", the @wmfo radio show with @bigbluesue.bsky.social here👇 (from 7 minutes and 20 seconds)
www.wmfo.org/popout_archi...
It will be available for 2 weeks.
#tracychapman
www.wmfo.org/popout_archi...
It will be available for 2 weeks.
#tracychapman
April 26, 2025 at 5:37 PM
You can now listen to the replay of "Something About the Women", the @wmfo radio show with @bigbluesue.bsky.social here👇 (from 7 minutes and 20 seconds)
www.wmfo.org/popout_archi...
It will be available for 2 weeks.
#tracychapman
www.wmfo.org/popout_archi...
It will be available for 2 weeks.
#tracychapman