Top 10 Best Tracy Chapman Songs

The Top Ten
Fast Car

One of the best songs in the last 50 years of mainstream American music. I believe that this song expresses the longing that each person has - the longing to belong and the feeling that we can be someone. A masterpiece.

Many people thought that she was going to be a one-hit wonder after this song. Well, some artists would've rested on their laurels with this one and made a career off of it.

Understandably so. It's that good.

The simplicity of beauty and a voice alone.

The Promise

I heard this for the first time recently (that I can remember) on "It's A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood." Both the film and this song are very touching and very beautiful.

I can't believe this song didn't chart when released as a single but has over 4 million YouTube hits. Deserves its high place on the list.

An old friend of mine said that this song was a love song from someone who isn't sure that the one she loves loves her back. I think that's right. That accounts for the sad tinge to this love song.

The strings are beautiful. The whole song is beautiful. "Say you'll hold a place for me in your heart."

For You

I love Tracy Chapman's love songs. This one is one of her best. So simple and heartfelt.

The most beautiful and heartfelt song! Love it!

Give Me One Reason

Lots of people would put this song higher because it has such a great beat and was so popular. The theme is great, too - it's an ultimatum.

What an empowering song. Give me a reason to stick around. I've done what I can to make things work, and now the ball is in your court. But if you don't make things right, I will walk.

Great song. Fantastic voice and presence. My favorite.

Just love the rhythm and the lyrics of this song.

Smoke and Ashes

This is a unique Tracy song. It has one of the widest vocal ranges of any of her songs, and it's also quite long. Like many of Tracy's songs, it is ambiguous.

On the one hand, the narrator spends most of the song detailing what was wrong with the relationship that has become "smoke and ashes, baby." But at the end, the narrator longingly exclaims, "Baby!" over and over again, as if to say that she wants her ex back in spite of it all - or at least misses her ex dearly.

Simply beautiful.

I'm Ready

Tracy has said that this song was written in regard to the death of her beloved grandfather. It is written from the perspective of someone who has lived a long life and is ready to move to the next, with confidence that heaven will be better than Earth.

A Hundred Years

This one is from the point of view of a lover who is desperate for her beloved to come back to her, regardless of the lover's transgressions.

"I've been so lonely. These few days feel like a hundred years."

Baby Can I Hold You

Such a deep and emotional song that touches the heart of true love only seen in one's eyes.

I heard this song for the first time on the street by a street artist in Porto, Portugal, and fell in love with it.

Simply one of the best ever.

Bang Bang Bang

Powerful song. What if our society were transformed by the power of love?

Dreaming On a World

Fabulous anthem for sheer, unadulterated idealism.

The Newcomers

? Why?
? The Rape of the World

Amazing song.

The Contenders
Talkin' Bout a Revolution

Great song. Tells the story with heart.

To me, by far the best song.

So many memories.

Sing for You

I am not quite sure what this song is about, but it's very pretty.

Everything about her songs is beautiful.

For My Lover
Crossroads

It's a beautiful song. The rhythm always touches me deeply, and the lyrics are beautiful. It's about facing one's fears and making the right decisions.

Change

This is one of my favorite Tracy songs. It seems simple, but to me, it's philosophical. I think this song questions the powers of truth and ignorance.

Will knowing the truth and finding wisdom really help us change all those ugly parts of human nature? Can the knowledge of the difference between right and wrong be enough to make us choose right?

Tracy doesn't answer this question, but this song is emotional and has a simple beauty that's hard to forget. I would definitely place this song in my top seven songs by Tracy!

Across the Lines

Just love this song. But all her songs are great.

Unsung Psalm
Matters of the Heart
3000 Miles

This is only second to Fast Car.

So
Telling Stories

Why did I have to add this? My favorite Tracy song used to be my #1 favorite song until Taylor Swift's "Innocent" overtook it.

Just love that soft rock sound. Beautiful organ too!

Be and Be Not Afraid
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