The song is about the cycle of poverty and just how hard it is to escape the cycle of poverty. I think it's intended to be both uplifting and deeply sad.

@LuckykidA

2 жыл бұрын

Agree. Very sad as it also highlights the cycle of the behavior that is stereotypical of the impoverished, which I guess could be argued as the same thing?

@oreally8605

2 жыл бұрын

Being impoverished in America is more of a mental state. The same homeless person can rise to riches.. Don't say it isn't true...

@leonardshevlin7260

2 жыл бұрын

She condemned herself to a low station in life by inviting a lazy deadbeat drunk to live off her meager income.

@rmhanseniii

2 жыл бұрын

I don’t think it’s about poverty so much as it is about young people seeing a path of life laid out before then that they don’t want but will most likely take… The moment when a young person sees how hard life is being an adult

@Halderic

2 жыл бұрын

@@oreally8605 it's not true, it is however what we tell ourselves as a people so we don't have to care or help.

The quiver in her voice fit the song perfectly. It sounded like she was on the verge of tears, explaining why they just couldn't go on that way.

@desrever1138

2 жыл бұрын

Which is fitting, because after hearing this song thousands of times in the last 33 years, I have yet been able to make it through the entire song without tearing up. It's a masterpiece.

@timstarkes173

2 жыл бұрын

Its a light yodel that comes from celtic culture which permeates folk music everywhere in the world

@matthewhudson5685

2 жыл бұрын

@@timstarkes173 Ain't it funny how that "yodel" says so much? Across cultures, across languages, across time. It resonates in the human spirit.

@bradprice8040

2 жыл бұрын

@@matthewhudson5685 I always thought she was using a vibrato in her voice. I love the people who can do that as well as the yodel.

Tracy is considered a "contralto", which is typically the lowest of the female vocal ranges. Such powerful resonance is less common in female voices, thus the tendency to hear it as more "masculine". Personally, I find contralto to be perhaps the BEST female vocal range for conveying "stories", such as the story in this piece. Tracy Chapman deserves her legendary status. 🎵🎶

@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665

2 жыл бұрын

I would like Courtney Hadwin and Diana Ankudinova to have the chance to listen to her and Joan Armatrading .... and see what happens. Tracy and Joan both have that very warm but cerebral quality to their song writing... and the lower voice.

@Peejay1966

2 жыл бұрын

You should maybe, as is stated by Clive, try listening to Joan Armatrading; another wonderful artist. Drop the Pilot might be a good one to check out.

@joeadcock5030

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely

@SeansMusicVault

2 жыл бұрын

@Miles Doyle OK.

@RonRezendes

2 жыл бұрын

She could not possibly hit this song any better- simply saying that there will NEVER be a "better" cover of this song, ever! How would that even be possible?! One day, I may be proven wrong, and I will be far more amazed than everyone else!

This song is really brilliantly constructed. The song is about a woman stuck in the cycle of poverty, unable to escape to a better life, and the instruments reflect that. In the verses, when she's talking about being stuck and unable to escape, the guitar just plays the exact same simple riff over and over and over again. The riff isn't going anywhere, it's just repeating the same pattern, just like her. The only time the music changes, when it kicks up into the bigger, happier sound is when she's remembering what it was like to go driving in the guy's fast car, back when they were younger and she still had dreams of escaping her small, poor life and becoming someone. Back when she still felt free and like there was a brighter future ahead. But then the song keeps dropping back into that simple, repetitive riff as we time jump forward and they're still stuck. And he's not helping. She's inadvertently ended up with someone just like her father: a drunk who doesn't work, a guy whom she has to take care of because he's not even trying. Also, at the beginning of the song, when she still has hope, she tells the guy that they need to make a decision: "we can leave tonight or live and die this way." Basically saying we need to get out of this dead-end life and find something better or we'll die never having gone anywhere or done anything. By the end of the song, she's just telling the guy "YOU need to make a decision / leave tonight or live and die this way" because she's given up hope that she'll ever escape to something better. She's giving him the option to go but she's accepted her fate that she's never going anywhere. And the song ends with that same repetitive riff because she's still stuck in that life, forever. It really is a gorgeous, heartbreaking song that is genius in its construction, beginning to end. I'm sad that you both got so caught up in giggling at and trying to figure out the tone of her voice that you basically ignored the song and missed everything that makes it such a genius piece of art. I usually enjoy watching y'all but this time I'm honestly disappointed in the reaction.

@muleb384

2 жыл бұрын

ngl I kind of felt the same, but also I guess that's on me. I really like this song and the message, and I want anyone who hears it to appreciate it the same way, but that's not really realistic to expect everyone to be moved by and value the same things. Reaction channels have built up a sort of culture for their reactions that doesn't easily lend itself to introspection or being moved by a song, just moving through a list, liked it or didn't like it, next, next, next. IDK, hopefully they or other people hearing it for the first time give it some more spins and the story sinks in. I don't think I fully appreciated this song the first time I heard it, of course I was a teenager heh.

@muleb384

2 жыл бұрын

My favorite part is the shifting meaning of the phrase "I had a feeling I could be someone", in each verse it takes on a different color of emotion, just like the phrase "you got a fast car". Much more emphasized in a live performance.

@grilledspaghetti

2 жыл бұрын

The chorus also comes more frequently as she fantasies more about the good times later on. Never looked at it that, thanks.

@AugieDoggyDoo

2 жыл бұрын

I agree. Great description. This song always pulls at my heart, to this very day. Tracy Chapman is amazing. Incredible voice and lyricist and the pain in her voice in this song is profound. Definitely disappointed in this reaction because I love her so much. The entire album with this song is amazing.

@arts872

2 жыл бұрын

maybe the song hit too close to home for them to admit it

If you want to watch one woman with one guitar captivate tens of thousands of people watch her perform this at Wembley stadium...

@markwilken2492

2 жыл бұрын

@Lauren Lewis I’m jealous!!! That must’ve been UNBELIEVABLE!!!

@skygazer858

2 жыл бұрын

@@markwilken2492 Me too.

@phillipharrison2836

2 жыл бұрын

You're being unfair picking on her. Her voice is different but clearly a talented folk singer. If you want weird voices try Buffy St. Marie, Bob Dylan, Axel Rose, Lee Marvin etc. all distinct all worth listening to.

@toddgersh

2 жыл бұрын

I saw her at old JFK stadium in Philly probably 80,000 there. We were all captivated.

@glennburch1081

2 жыл бұрын

@Lauren Lewis I'm jealous......big time. I love TC!

Come on guys, shape up. Now was NOT the time to switch roles. Brad, you should be in your element here, this is all about the words, the pathos, the story…… Get over the fact that this is sung by a woman with a superb deep voice, and listen to the tale she tells. This is profound class.

@goryj2248

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed. They totally muddled their experience trying to listen for something else. This song is too great for that mess.

@SaturnusDK

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I was almost offended by how little they actually paid attention to the lyrics and the composition of the song.

@mr.scary22adrian82

2 жыл бұрын

Masterpiece. Shame it wasn't given a little more respect

@woahblackbettybamalam

2 жыл бұрын

@@SaturnusDK They are trailer trash what do you expect

@bertpainter8385

2 жыл бұрын

@@woahblackbettybamalam Move on with that shit. It's not KZread that sucks. Trail this.

Tracy is one of the best American poets. She captures America in her words.

She won 3 Grammy awards for this..the song, the album and as female performer!

@wizardsghost876

2 жыл бұрын

And that was totally earned.

@TheConservativeinaction

Жыл бұрын

she deserved it

😭 I'm probably going to catch grief for saying this but it's how I feel.. This song is so iconic and so beloved that y'all's reaction kind of ruined the vibe it's meant to have. You worried more about her her voice and if she was a girl or a guy that you missed the beauty of Tracy's masterpiece and her beautiful story. I hope you listen to it again without the "ha ha" mindset. 🎧🎤✌

@MelonMcGee

2 жыл бұрын

No, you're right. Absolutely.

@tammyford2357

2 жыл бұрын

Totally agree.

@sikksotoo

2 жыл бұрын

Despite being a big fan of them, they do this kind of often. Don't feel bad for mentioning it, it's the only way for them to possibly realize.

@sdhartley74

2 жыл бұрын

I've never thought Tracy had a masculine voice... I don't understand how that was a concern for them!

@sikksotoo

2 жыл бұрын

@@sdhartley74 I've seen one reactor call her a man through the entire reaction and then they had a comment pinned about it. Not naming names

She has emotion in her voice. It’s a song about trying to change her circumstances, if not now maybe it will be never. It’s a powerful song in my opinion.

[Everyone]: "Such a powerful critique on the cycle of generational poverty, trapping people to relive the lives of their parents in abusive relationships" [Brad & Lex]: "It was a vibe with a yodelling voice."

@markharris1125

2 жыл бұрын

Ha, so true.

I was staying in a homeless veterans living facility, they had a dinner for us and Tracy Chapmans mother sang for us… beautiful voice and a beautiful person I wish gods love upon her

@struthersboyz4990

2 жыл бұрын

@THE ACOUSTIC CAGE do you think god is offended? Or just u?

@struthersboyz4990

2 жыл бұрын

@THE ACOUSTIC CAGE see I have more confidence in god, I give gif more credit than u do! I don’t think god would be so PETTY as to be offended by such trivial things ….. but now god knows what u think

You should pay attention to her lyrics both of this but also all of her songs. They are beautiful and full of meanings. Fast car always gave me the feeling of dreaming of getting out of poor and bad life situation, young dreams, maybe not too realistic but that keep you going and not thinking at your misery. Sad enough it didn't come true like it doesn't come true for most of people. Everybody highlight the "American dream" but I love the fact of writing a song of the impossible dream.

@SaturnusDK

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I was almost offended by how little they actually paid attention to the lyrics and the composition of the song.

@bertpainter8385

2 жыл бұрын

Normally I'm not one to pay attention to lyrics whatsoever, especially for songs from my era in the 60's,70 and 80's, but there are a few songs exactly like this that cry out and please listen to what I have to say. This is one of those songs. On the other side of the coin, I have rarely learned the words to any songs. In fact most of my group back in the day made up some of the words when we did want to sing along. We mostly knew the catchy parts. Today it's the opposite it seems. Lex is the exception that one reason she reminds me of people I grew up with. I assume she gets it from her mom. Not to be offended. It's not about disrespecting or not paying attention intentionally. It's just a different way of hearing music some of us have. Brad usually dissects lyrics and tbh, that kinda drives me nuts. That's my side of the coin.

@mairyhuff7102

2 жыл бұрын

I've finally had it with this channel their lack of understanding of this song goes way beyond a joke and the mocking of her voice, well Tracy Chapman has more talent in her strumming hand than these two will ever have

@Duke_2373

2 жыл бұрын

@@mairyhuff7102 settle down

@mcsquared981

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed, musical ignorance is not a good look in a music review.

I absolutely adore you two but this reaction hurt my heart a little. This song made people face homelessness and poverty when it was so easily ignored.

I think we're all agreed that Brad & Lex let us down on this one. 😁🤦‍♂️

@derekgiesbrecht1554

Жыл бұрын

They missed it entirely, just worried about her voice and trivial matters, if she sounds like dolores o riordan, or whether its a guy or girl singing

@johnnydelmar

Жыл бұрын

How much of a song can you take in on one listen? Singles used to come out, the Lp came out, and you played them over and over. Then maybe there's another single, another album, perhaps not. The singer is a girl, she tells her story, her job changes, he gets a job finally, kids come along and life goes on. Our narrator is dissatisfied. Her man is an alcoholic like the father she sacrificed her education for, she herself feels like she's drunk, there's a lot packed into the lyric. I don't think Tracy Chapmen ever made a better album than the one this song is on. The story in Tracy Chapman's "For My Lover" is more pleasant for me to contemplate. There are many car songs in the annals of Rock and Roll. "Road Runner" by Jonathan Richman, "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen, "Deadman's Curve" by Jan and Dean or whoever.

@peachesb-georgia1125

5 ай бұрын

I guess you two need to move to your own planet and have the fake a-- life you deserve... won't be listening to anything else you put out there...

one of the best songs ever recorded, Anyone with a dream of living better can relate.

This is one of the most hopeful, sad, and overall soulful songs I ever heard. I was a fan when it came out. It still brings a tear to me eye lol. Look at where she's at in this, her feelings, her aspirations. Real blues.

This is way too good a song to have this poor a review. One of the best written and most emotional songs from the 80’s and you guys missed it. Felt like guys were just looking at this review as “on to the next one..”

@PvPNokills

Жыл бұрын

I remember buying this cd back in the 80's cause of the song 'Baby can I hold you tonight' and i got to admit that when i heard fast car for the first time which, was near the start of the cd....I wasn't blown away by it. I really wanted to hear the song i bought the cd for. But, after listening to the album a few more times, this song just absolutely grows on you and it's my favourite and the only one i really listen to after all these years. An absolute masterpiece

@ZeeZee9

Жыл бұрын

80s? How about the last 40 years. Just sayin

One of the greatest songs ever written right there.

This masterpiece went over their heads.

@mikeozzy4936

Жыл бұрын

Totally

@ZeeZee9

Жыл бұрын

Fr lol

@clivejones1152

Жыл бұрын

They weren't crying by half way through so yep they weren't listening

@rollotomassi4768

Жыл бұрын

@@clivejones1152 or maybe they grew up in the suburbs, and didn't have the same experiences

@clivejones1152

Жыл бұрын

@@rollotomassi4768 I didn't grow up as the story went. Still got it

One of the most beautiful song ever written.

@rossmacintosh5652

2 жыл бұрын

I agree James. I'm kinda bummed that Lex & Brad didn't really get the poignant meaning about the cycle of poverty. It's sad that even with dreams of a better life sometimes people seem destined to stay on an endless treadmill.

@danamuller554

2 жыл бұрын

I agree.

@bowtangey6830

2 жыл бұрын

👌👌👌👌👌

The comment below (by Cate) is correct to say that the song is about how hard it is to escape the cycle of poverty. Equally, it's about a lady finding herself in a repeating cycle of negative relationships. The lady in the lyrics was trapped, looking after her alcoholic father and left that situation only to find herself as the sole breadwinner for her family with an alcoholic husband. A tragic story of dreams being crushed by reality.

@martinmyers8329

2 жыл бұрын

You said it Marc .Dissapointed that Brad and Lex didn't interpret the feeling of this beautifuly sad song. Love Tracy Chapman

@kierstenridgway4634

2 жыл бұрын

Don't assume it's a husband.

@robs715

2 жыл бұрын

@@kierstenridgway4634 😂 shut up

@st0n3p0ny

2 жыл бұрын

@@kierstenridgway4634 You're not wrong actually, and I never considered that. Tracy might be singing about her girlfriend.

@CygnusXII

2 жыл бұрын

@@kierstenridgway4634 exactly

Tracy Chapman was a homeless street performer in Boston back in the day, she would work the subways, street corners and the like, she was discovered near the Boston Garden by a music producer who threw a 100 dollar bill in her case and his business card.

@BIGBLOCK5022006

2 жыл бұрын

And the rest as they say is history.

@MarcosElMalo2

2 жыл бұрын

I remember when Tracy Chapman hit. The Queen of Folk was Joni Mitchell and the New(ish) Kid was Suzanne Vega. Chapman hit the scene and claimed her space on the folkie stage with her powerful lyrics and her distinctive voice and musical style. She introduced a rawness that had been missing, no disrespect to Joni or to Ms. Vega. I’m not sure Folk is the most accurate label-let’s call her a brilliant singer-songwriter and leave it at that.

@letsrock1729

2 жыл бұрын

@@MarcosElMalo2 As an absolutely massive Joni fan and a medium-sized Suzanne Vega fan, there will always be a place for all three of them.

Complete and utter failure by both of you for missing the sadness and meaning in this song. It's an absolutely beautiful and sad song, but that was totally lost on you. You can't see the forest for all the trees in the way.

@thediaz07

2 жыл бұрын

So what. Perception is in the eye of the beholder. They cover MANY SONGS a month and it's difficult to pinpoint what the true meaning is on their first take.

@thediaz07

2 жыл бұрын

@The Vinyl Music Life I agree. KZread how a quota though on videos made per week. It's their living. I can't take anything away from em.

@chasingbirds3073

2 жыл бұрын

@@thediaz07 For Brad to claim he tries to understand the meaning behind the lyrics of most songs he reacts to, yes, it was a failure.

@thediaz07

2 жыл бұрын

@@chasingbirds3073 well I guess he should start putting a disclaimer up saying "open for my own interpretation".

Wow...one of the most profound songs to hit the radio waves...and Brad misses it!!!! We can usually depend upon Brad to get the meaning of the lyrics. Bummer! The "fast car" is a metaphor for dreams & hopes. The story starts when she is a teenager. She quits school to take care of her worthless dad. Then, she turns to her boyfriend & asks him to take her away. But, her boyfriend is as worthless as her dad. She takes care of him. She takes care of the kids. Poverty follows her. Her dreams are empty.

@sikksotoo

2 жыл бұрын

In my experience, Brad gets it about half the time, Lex about 5%

@db212006

2 жыл бұрын

@@sikksotoo Lex was a bit charming right away, but it got old fast. She's always trying to compare something to another and it drives me nuts. It's not funny or cute anymore.

@bullshitcaller1541

2 жыл бұрын

BRAD missed it? Lex didnt get ANY of it.

One of the best songs ever. Heartbreaking and hopeful. Still not tired of it after all these years!

@bowtangey6830

2 жыл бұрын

👌

@Xendava

2 жыл бұрын

I can always listen to it and feel it like I did the first time I heard it.

Please listen to this masterpiece again so you can focus on the story Tracy is telling you and hear the music. When the tempo goes up it reflects the speed of the "fast car" and captures that feeling, that expectation, that hope that you can become something larger than your circumstances, that maybe your dreams will come true despite your limitations, responsibilities and problems. It's beautiful and heartbreaking and she is an awesome singer and artist.

@shoelessdaishi2754

2 жыл бұрын

They're idiots, they won't get it

@One.Zero.One101

2 жыл бұрын

Wow I never noticed that when she is singing about the fast car, the tempo of the chorus also increases. Great observation.

I can't believe there missing the song. Really disappointing considering how beautiful the music and lyrics are.

@sikksotoo

2 жыл бұрын

Despite being great on the couch, they're really bad at breaking down music.

@bonsai67

2 жыл бұрын

Where?

@jaywoody2368

2 жыл бұрын

But it's still fun

This one of the 80s songs I play and sing because so many people can relate to it.

The one song where the lyrics are so important and Brad is vibing 😆

"Leave tonight or live and die this way" gets me every time.

I love these guys, but that was a pretty ho-hum reaction to a perfectly written song with immense meaning and emotion

"Baby Can I Hold You" is my favorite Tracy Chapman song. This is my second favorite.

Simple story but it went right over their heads. For a couple living in a trailer part you'd think they'd understand the story rather than prattle on about who Tracy sounds like or whether she' s a man or woman. The story tells us how easy it is leave one loser with a similar loser who happens to have the means of escape. Then the new boss becomes the same as the old boss.

I was in Middle School when this came out. My mom was just divorcing my dad because of his drug problem, inability to hold a job, and abuse to us all because he couldn’t deal with his own failures. So this song resonated very hard with her (and me), and it still hits me hard to this day. You should hear her song “Gimme One Reason”, it’s a blues banger, completely different vibe from this one.

@MelonMcGee

2 жыл бұрын

Zac, I know your struggle. If you want another relatable one about going through that, try Jason Isbell's Dreamsicle. Another one that'll hit you in the feels.

@ZacCostilla

2 жыл бұрын

@@MelonMcGee thanks, I’ll check it out.

I’m a metal head, but when my wife turned me on to Tracy knowing I listen for talent and I was completely blown away, incredible amount of talent.

Great song!! She was discovered in NY. She was playing for money by the subway. She was homeless.

@st0n3p0ny

2 жыл бұрын

Would be an interesting series to do, singers discovered that way. Jewel had a similar story.

One of the most painful songs ever written. Heartbreaking 💔 Edit. A beautiful human who could be far more being dragged down by others. But loyalty is more important than personal achievements. Heartbreaking 💔

@bowtangey6830

2 жыл бұрын

👌

This was massive back in the day. It was the 80s and Chapman gave voice to the unlucky underdog.

One of the most beautiful songs ever written, full of hope in parts, sadness, regret, and yet still hope at the end too. Very melancholic. Beautiful voice too.

It's hard to imagine a world were there are people hearing this song or Tracy Chapman for the first time. Her first album was every, where all the time when it came out. It's seared into my brain. Groundbreaking and soul stirring. Thanks for doing this.

Listen to the words. Its about the words. About trying to escape poverty with your high school love, filled with ambition you run to the city, but fail to make it. You then look back at that ambition with sorrow at the failure of opportunity.

Brad & Lex, not only does Tracy Chapman have a fantastic Alto voice, she is also the queen of lower register vibrato - that's the 'wavering-Delores' you're interpreting. This song tells the story of two young people - one in particular, wishing to run away from the harsh life & alcoholic dependent Father - & escape to the city (where they consider that the streets are paved with gold & ambition) - but as is often the case, their destitution re-establishes itself at this new location. A cyclical, inescapable, life-long struggle.

My bestest friend and I grew up in dysfunctional homes on the poor side of town. Can't believe it almost 20 years ago she told me that this song reminded her of us. That we were gonna make it out. We were in college at the time & on our way to rising. We both graduated but only one of us gained momentum and eventually left the hometown. Now in our 40s, this song makes me sad as I hope and pray she can also get out of there.

One of the most beautiful songs ever written, in my opinion. So much passion and HEART ❤️

One of the most emotional songs in my lifetime. Tracy came out of nowhere in '87 or '88 with this and the world fell in love with her, and this song.

Its SOUL! She is so amazing. I could listen to her everyday, and it would never get old. She can sing something so personal, yet have everyone living it with her.

Amazing artist, this is an amazing song about fear, hope, and poverty. A lot of people refuse to hear the message of this song.

She came out like a tsunami!!! She blew everyone away with her first album, her voice, her sound, her lyrics!!! She's one of a kind, unique!!!

@bertpainter8385

2 жыл бұрын

Whatever happened to her.

Ya sometimes you guys just don't seem to get it, I mean the lyrics were right there, how could you not know what it's about ? This is such a sad song, some of the comments have explained it well enough, about being trapped in the cycle of poverty & alcoholism, and of having hope that things can get better.

@theendoftheworldpodcast

2 жыл бұрын

cuz theyre not good listeners

This is probably one of the best songs ever recorded. It’s devastating, heartbreaking, and uplifting all at the same time. You spent the entire time listening for her singing tone instead of the story she’s telling. The song is an entire ocean and all you did was stick your toes in

The desperation to escape her life is so well delivered in those lyrics. Sorry you guys missed it.

Lex is talking about vibrato and mixing it up with what vocal style Irish singers do. If you want the queens of vibrato, you have to listen to some Pretenders. Chrissy Hynes masters it.

@EthanTodd.

2 жыл бұрын

Chrissy Hynde, and yea she’s 🔥

@peterworth9403

2 жыл бұрын

Don't forget Beth Hart.

@EthanTodd.

2 жыл бұрын

@@marlew6629 who?

@ClickToPreview

2 жыл бұрын

Nah, Lex is talking about how Dolores flips the ends of her words with a falsetto lilt.

One of the most beautiful songs ever written. Emotional and tragic yet inspiring. Love Tracy Chapman.

This song DESERVES a REDO! Brad listen to the lyrics, that's your forte! Lex don't distract him!

@yoitsgiook

Жыл бұрын

They should just stop doing these altogether after this. Forget a redo lol

@ALTeRedEgO67

9 ай бұрын

I just like the fact they cover so many songs I like. Lex is funny and cute. As far as reactions I think they are the worst reactors I've ever heard. Brad never knows what the song is truly about even though he's usually reading the lyrics and lex just liked the beats 90% of the time. Nothing Else.

One of my favorite songs of all time. Reminds me of my childhood. Mom picking me up from school listening to this on the way home. As I got older the song took on a whole new meaning to me. Funny how you don’t realize things when you are young and innocent. This song always gets me in the feels when I think of those memories. Makes me appreciate my mom even more being a single mom, getting a second job when I was born, working 7 days a week because my lame ass “dad” left when I was a baby. Thanks for making it all seem so easy mom

Brad ain't lettin' just any voice be in the same universe with Delores. Lol! Tracy Chapman's voice is so unique though!

@jackieblue1267

2 жыл бұрын

They both are unique and don't sound like each other. Both Tracy and Delores are very special to a lot of people.

sad story, but oh so true to so many lives. I absolutely love how in the beginning it was "We gotta make a decision", and it turned to "YOU gotta make a decision" at the end. A true classic song.

The song was deep when it came out and still holds its own to this day

I love this. I think she kills it and it's just such a smooth sound. The whole thing.

Wow! This is solid gold hits. I’m surprised you couldn’t hear that. Tracy Chapman is one of the best singers ever and a classic. You have to listen to the lyrics. She is a great story teller. Thought for sure you both would pick up on that.

The voice wow ! Every time I hear her wow !

Please try more of Tracy, she has a unique voice...and is such a talented songwriter and singer. So many GREAT songs of hers did not get the recognition they deserved, just as she in my opinion does not get the attention and praise that she deserves. A few of her songs you should listen to are "Give me a reason" / " Talkin' bout a revolution" / "Cold Feet" / "At this point in my life" / "Smoke and Ashes"....just please try a few of those and you will be pleased I am sure !! Love your reactions and just your honest approach to each artist and song you are discovering.

@AlBarzUK

2 жыл бұрын

Behind The Wall

I was just starting out as a young adult when this song came out. It always hit me as a beautiful coming of age song. You want so much more than what you saw growing up but then somehow you settle for the same and repeat the trauma to the next generation

Amazing singer, amazing song. I think many of us in our youth when going through tough times wished we could just hop in the car and get away from tough things we were facing

@bertpainter8385

2 жыл бұрын

Many of us did.

I typically, genuinely enjoy you two and Lex esp how often you’re on point/ tuned in to enjoying the music.. Brad with the lyrics painting such a clear story many of us are surprised you ‘totally missed’ the meaning this time! Lex, she was Not kicking him out. This was a young woman whose mother left the situation creating the circumstances where she was the only one left to try to take care of her father.. (who had a drinking problem) She was dreaming of a better life wanting to escape and the boyfriend (gf) fast car was likely both a reality as well as a symbolism of opportunity for them to leave, find out what their lives ‘could be’ instead of stuck living/ taking care of an ‘absent’ parent.. please listen again having read the replies shared here..🤷‍♀️😉👍🙏

An absolutely beautiful song about trying to change your circumstances in life. I know people in the comments are all mad you aren't taking it the way "you're supposed to", but I, for one, am just glad that people are listening to this song for a first time in 2022, and maybe it will stick with you like it did with us when we were little and heard it on the radio.

I get what you are saying, Lex. Dolores and Tracy both have primal vocals.

The song is hauntingly beautiful. Some songs are so poignant and sad that they can bring you to tears.

It's all in the lyrics. A simple song, beautiful yet heartbreaking. All she wanted was for a better life, he had other ideas. All she sees now is a repeat of what her parents went through. Tracy Chapman is profoundly talented 🖤

The reason her voice sounds like that is because there’s so much emotion behind it, and she was holding back tears while singing

I love Tracy Chapman’s voice! It is so rich and her song writing is Poignant and beautiful! You guys never know what the song is about and you have the words! How is that possible? 😂This song is so straight forward…she wanted a better life than she was raised with but it didn’t turn out as she hoped for! It’s alternative rock and she is amazing! If you had checked out the video you would have seen she’s a woman! She had another great hit that was a bit of a groove called Give Me One Reason!❤️❤️

Fast Car is a metaphor/euphemism for living recklessly and/or in the moment and the juxtaposition of how living recklessly makes you feel alive in the moment (“I had a feeling I could be someone”), but you’re also sacrificing your future for the present (“leave tonight or live and die this way”). This was arguably the most relatable song of the masses when it came out because the lyrics can be imposed on anyone’s life when the metaphor is understood. That’s why she used to get comments all the time from fan’s saying to her they felt like this song was written for them personally. There is also a class element to the song because of the menial jobs, alcoholism/addiction, and other things she uses to illustrate the things going on. That’s because she grew up in working class Cleveland and it’s what she saw-people trying to survive, trying to balance getting ahead in life with enjoying life, and then realizing that you eventually make decisions in which your pursuit of gratification and pleasure cost you the ability to get ahead in life if you aren’t careful. And how you realize it often times when it’s too late because life in and of itself is also a “fast car.”

@abelashes2676

2 жыл бұрын

I never thought of the car as a metaphor. I always thought it was literal and maybe the only thing in her life that really brought her happiness was going for rides in her dad's car.

@barscotch

2 жыл бұрын

Also, there are references to when two people have different priorities for their lives, and to what it's like when your life becomes a circle in which you seem to be stuck.

Such a tragically beautiful song

One of the best story tellers of my Twenties.

This is a powerful song, real life shit. Tracy's spitting real world facts here. Its so good.

There's a really cool story behind this song. I forget the details but I believe it was a concert at Wimberley in 1988 where she was one of the performers in a decent lineup that included Stevie Wonder. Apparently somebody lost Stevie's prerecorded background music or something like that and he got really upset and left. The organizers went around frantically looking for someone to fill the slot and when Tracy heard this she agreed to go back on stage. This was before she had made her name big in the music industry having only released I believe one album so far. She had been working on this song for a while but hadn't played it for anyone yet but she decided to give it a shot and as she began playing and singing the crowd got quiet and at the end everybody cheered. There's a video of it, it's pretty cool. kzread.info/dash/bejne/ppmO1aOYk8yTZ6g.html I suggest the next song of hers that you react to should be "At This Point In My Life" kzread.info/dash/bejne/l4Z23Lahg7eemKg.html

@robinjohnston24

2 жыл бұрын

Wow - loved this song for years but I’d never seen that Wembley video before.

@jamesdavisjr6937

2 жыл бұрын

Never saw this before very cool

@Levi_Amongst_the_Watchers

2 жыл бұрын

@@jamesdavisjr6937 I gotta give credit for even knowing this story to The Professor of Rock, he covered this story on his channel. I highly recommend anyone who loves music to check his channel out, he's very knowledgeable about all generas of music from between the 1950's to the early 2000's. Here's a link to his channel: kzread.info

@davidjames3080

2 жыл бұрын

The song had already been released as a single about 2 months before when she appeared at Wembley (Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute Concert on 11 June 1988) but hadn't done too well. It had just charted the week before the concert at number 88 in the UK, but this concert pushed it up the charts, to eventually peak at number 5 in the UK (and number 6 in US). I remember the concert, I was 20 at the time, and I think that was probably the first time I heard the song (although I probably heard it almost every day for the next few months!), but didn't know about the Stevie Wonder thing. Apparently some of his equipment 'went missing' and he returned later and played using Whitney Houston's instruments.

@Levi_Amongst_the_Watchers

2 жыл бұрын

@@davidjames3080 You're right, I was a little off about the release. I decided to actually look it up to be sure and from what I can find Stevie Wonder had lost a prerecorded disk of synthesized music for his set and he left the stadium crying with some of his entourage. It didn't say whether or not he returned but it'd be kinda messed up if he didn't.

Great song. Really sad, but deeply beautiful.

She is one of my favorites. She is a true artist. Singer. Songwtiter and poet. She studied poetry. Love her unique voice. "Give Me One Reason" won a Grammy. You to listen to it again. It is a story. You need to see her live. She did a song with Pavarotti on Pavarotti and Friends.

There is a recent cover of this song where they managed to sing it without a single scrap of emotion. Makes you appreciate this one so much.

Her voice is great but the lyrics are incredible

You two are so focused on the sound of Ms. Chapman's voice that you missed the story. This song broke my heart the first time I heard it. The repetition of the melody mirrors the repetition of day after day existence in poverty. The fast car represents the hope of getting out-of getting ANYWHERE. It's tragically sad and brilliant. And it still puts tears in my eyes.

This song provides such good visuals in your mind. It's like you can imagine yourself being in that situation.

"While a student at Tufts University, Tracy Chapman would sing and play her guitar in nearby Harvard Square-a place so desired by buskers for its heavy foot traffic that people have to obtain a permit from the Cambridge Arts Council to perform there." That's where I first became aware of her. Didn't know she was at Tufts.

One of the few times I want Brad to focus like a laser on the lyrics and he decides to flake on them in favor of listening to see if Tracy sounds like Dolores--whoever the hell Dolores is. Missed opportunity, brother. As for you, Lex, you are a hoot and a half. Having said that, I wish you hadn't distracted Brad from the poignant story being told.

@SaturnusDK

2 жыл бұрын

They're thinking about Dolores O'Riordan, RIP, who was the singer in Cranberries. They sound nothing alike though, and a real shame it took their entire focus away from one of the great songs of the 80s.

@sdhartley74

2 жыл бұрын

@@SaturnusDK absolutely right. The only thing these singers have in common (aside from being female) is a strong voice that can bring people to tears.

@steffe689

2 жыл бұрын

lol...

Amazing song and singer. I think to really appreciate it, it's one of those songs that you have to watch the singer (Tracy Chapman) singing it. Her performance brings a whole new level to the song.

@sadfaery

2 жыл бұрын

100% agreed.

@kendittrick

2 жыл бұрын

This. This is the way.

@kendittrick

2 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/q6p7yLidqJDNftI.html

I've always loved this song. Tracy's voice, performance, and song writing ability has always been a gift in my mind! I had the pleasure of seeing her in concert about 15 years ago. She was still as much a true talent then as she was in the early days.

This song's about the cycle of poverty, and how hard it is to break. Her father is a drunk, and she puts her future on hold so she can take care of him. But then she meets this guy, and sees an opportunity to run off with him and have a real future. Fast forward, he ends up being a drunk like her father and she leaves like her mother did to again try and escape from her shitty situation. It's a sad song, but she delivers it so beautifully that you really feel it.

This song was on the very first CD I ever owned after I got my first CD player in high school. I love the entire album that this song is from. Tracy Chapman is an amazing singer-songwriter, and her folk music style pairs beautifully with her voice, which is a unique voice, but that's good because it means you're not going to mistake her voice for anyone else's. I definitely recommend watching a video of her singing this song to match a face to the voice. I think that would bring even more depth to your understanding of the music. And yes, she does have a very androgynous sound and look. But that's part of her uniqueness.

The whole album is one great song after another. Across the Lines, Baby Can I hold you, Mountains O' Things, For My Lover, ....

I saw her on the library steps in Cambridge MA in the early 80s and headlining the Lilith Fair years later. She and her band are awesome! Great singer/storyteller/guitarist.

Tracy Chapman is one of the greatest American songwriters alive. She is overlooked because she is semi-retired. Her best album, in my opinion, is New Beginnings. Best song is definitely At This Point in My Life. She has that great deep vibrato voice. A master story teller. She wrote this song in her early 20s. She has always been an old soul.

10 seconds in.. And I'm already tear up... So many memories good and bad...❤️

Without question, this is one of the best songs you'll ever hear. Classic.

She told a powerful and kind of sad story. It gets to me everytime. Tracy hit a home run with this one. Surprised it didn’t hit you guys too.

Tracy Chapman...sublime. I love her songs, her voice and her humble stage presence.

She went from being among the least well-known acts at the Mandela 70th birthday concert in London back in 1988 to being one of the most talked about after she sang this. We later found out it was an unplanned reappearance after the scheduled performer, surprise act Stevie Wonder, decided seconds before he was due onstage that he couldn't play because of a technical issue. She sold 10x as many albums in the two weeks following the concert as she had done in the two MONTHS before it.

Story mode was needed for this one. The lyrics where definitely a important one to listen to in this song. Great song. Needed a lyrical break down review. Definitely a wrong time to switch roles 😂😂 in a Tracy chapman song! lol

Tracy Chapman is huge here in the UK, I knew the lyrics to this by the time I was 4 if the drinks are coming out you can guarantee this tune is on at some point of the night and EVERYONE is singing along because we all relate to struggle in whatever form it takes and this song captures the beauty that rides hand in hand with struggle.

That was my first concert ever, 1988 she has played as support for Bruce Springsteen in Bremen (Germany) Was just great