#256 Tracy Chapman, 'Tracy Chapman' (1988)
Previously #263
In 1985 Tracy Chapman was studying a B.A. degree in Anthropology and African studies at Tufts University in Massachusetts. A fellow student, Brian Koppelman heard her playing and brought her to the attention of his father, a music publisher. Koppelman Sr. offered to sign her, but she never took him seriously. After coming across a demo of ‘Talkin’ ‘bout a Revolution,’ at Tufts Radio Station, Koppelman Jr promoted the song to radio, which subsequently got her signed to Elektra Records following her graduation in 1987.
This album almost never happened. The man that was due to produce the record was killed in a car accident before recording started. The label brought in David Kershenbaum, an inexperienced producer, to produce the record. The subject matter on the album was that of social and political commentary. The song that got her signed talks about the tables turning for poor people; “Poor people gonna rise up/And get their share/Poor people gonna rise up/And take what's theirs.” First single from the album, ‘Fast Car’ is about a poor woman trying to break the cycle of poverty. Third single, ‘Baby Can I Hold You’ is a departure from the first two singles, an apology song. I immediately remembered ‘She’s Got a Ticket’ from last time. Great song! But the real stand out on a record of stand outs is ‘Behind The Wall.’ An a cappella song about a man who had been physically abusing his wife. She sings about not having any faith in the police; “It won't do no good to call/The police always come late/If they come at all.” She goes on to say that the police wouldn’t interfere. And then the chilling last verse: “Last night I heard the screaming/Then a silence that chilled my soul/I prayed that I was dreaming/When I saw the ambulance in the road/And the policeman said
"I'm here to keep the peace/Will the crowd disperse/I think we all could use some sleep".” That song goes into ‘Baby Can I Hold You,’ and finally after years of hearing it on the radio out of context, it makes sense. Incidentally, Brian Koppelman went on to create the TV show, ‘Billions,’ co-write ‘Ocean’s Thirteen,’ write ‘Rounders’ and direct ‘Solitary Man’ with Michael Douglas.
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