Every Tracy Chapman Song, a new series begins

Twice a month, we’ll explore Tracy Chapman’s music song by song. First up tomorrow: “3,000 Miles.”

Tomorrow, I’ll send you the second paid newsletter, and the first installment of a new series I’m launching: an in-depth exploration of every single Tracy Chapman song.

When possible, I’ll share quotes and insights from Tracy herself, drawn from interviews and press materials I've collected over the years.

In the 1988 press release sent out for her debut album, Tracy had set a certain tone:

“I’m really into letting people work the songs for themselves. The few times I’ve tried to explain the songs, it just hasn’t worked out.” Tracy Chapman

So, don’t be surprised if I don’t uncover each song. Especially early in her career, Tracy wasn’t too keen on explaining her lyrics. After the overwhelming success of her debut and months of back-to-back interviews, she’d had enough:

“They [journalists] want to know what the songs are about, and I refuse to do that. Because I’ve done my bit by writing them. It’s up to the people to figure what they’re about.” Tracy Chapman ¹

(Don’t worry, her relationship with the press softened over time.)

In these newsletters, I’ll try to offer my own perspective on the meaning of the songs: how we can hear them, how they fit into Tracy’s body of work, and the context they emerge from.

But more importantly, this will be an invitation to you: to share your thoughts, interpretations, and maybe even your personal connection to a particular song. These posts will come with a comment space open to all paid subscribers. I’d love for it to become a kind of book club for Chapman’s music.

Twice a month, we’ll sit down together with one song, listen with fresh ears, and talk about what we feel, remember, or discover.

It might even be a chance for you to rediscover tracks you’d overlooked or hear them for the first time.

Honestly, I can’t wait to begin this journey with you. It’s exciting!

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🗓️ 2025 Editorial Calendar (First 16 Songs)

• June 4: 3,000 Miles

• June 18: Across The Lines

• July 2: A Hundred Years

• July 16: All That You Have Is Your Soul

• July 30: Almost

• August 15: America

• August 27: Another Sun

• September 10: At This Point In My Life

• September 24: Baby Can I Hold You

• October 8: Bang Bang Bang

• October 22: Be And Be Not Afraid

• November 5: Be Careful Of My Heart

• November 19: Before Easter

• December 3: Behind The Wall

• December 17: Born To Fight

• December 31: Bridges

That’s 16 songs this year alone. Tracy’s full discography includes 91 tracks. So yes… we’re in this for the long haul and I couldn’t be happier about that. 👏

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See you tomorrow!
Aurélie

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Disclaimer

All interview excerpts used in this newsletter are all properly sourced in the notes. The references are provided at the bottom of the page. Therefore, we can consider all quotes attributed to Tracy as accurate. However, there is always a possibility that a journalist may have misquoted or misinterpreted what Tracy intended to say. If that is the case, I disclaim all responsibility for any such misinterpretation.

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Written by Aurélie M

Editor, researcher, and founder of about-tracy-chapman.net. I’ve been curating Tracy Chapman’s legacy since 2001—online, in print, and through this newsletter. Co-manager of the Tracy Chapman Online Community (2.7M followers).

1. Revolt in Style, Juke Magazine, September 3, 1988