04/07/2020
3rd Strike Rock
It's time for a much over-due #RockOfSages. As you know, things have been on hiatus because of the #CoronaVirus chaos. We missed February which is #BlackHistoryMonth and March which is #WomensHistoryMonth, so we wanted to get back into the swing of things by honoring a woman who has won multiple #GrammyAwards, singer, songwriter, and activist, #TracyChapman.
Tracy Chapman is the embodiment of the American Dream.
She grew up in #Cleveland, #Ohio in a working class neighborhood. Her parents divorced when she was only four years-old. She was raised by a single mother who received welfare. She was often bullied in school. Since she was interested in music at a very young age, her mother bought her a ukulele. Inspired by the country music on the tv show Hee Haw, Chapman began to write her own music at the age of eight. Although Chapman was raised a Baptist, she was accepted into the A Better Chance program which sponsored her, and allowed her to attend a private Episcopal high school in Connecticut. She excelled in school, and, later, attended #TuftsUniversity, where she majored in Anthropology and African Studies.
It was a colleague at Tufts University who proved to be a game changer for Chapman. Fellow student, Brian Koppelman, introduced his father, Charles Koppelman, to Chapman's music. Charles Koppelman, head of SBK Publishing signed Chapman, and helped her get a deal with Elektra Records, after her graduation from Tufts University in 1987, In 1988, Tracy Chapman released a self-titled debut album, featuring the song "Fast Car", which she performed at the televised #NelsonMandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert in June 1988. Later that summer, the song hit no. 6 on the Billboard chart. The album went mult-platinum, and won Chapman three Grammy Awards. Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song #167 on their 2010 list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Later, in 1988, Chapman performed for Amnesty International on their Human Rights Now! Tour.
Chapman has released eight studio albums, some of which earned her more Grammy Awards and nominations, and one Greatest Hits album which was released in 2015. She continually tours North America and Europe. In 2006, she performed at the 5th Gala of Jazz at #NewYorkCity's #LincolnCenter, and, in 2007, she performed in a #TEDTalk in #Monterey, #California. In 2008, Tracy Chapman was commissioned by the #AmericanConservatoryTheater to compose music for its production of #AtholFugard's #BloodKnot about #Apartheid in #SouthAfrica. Chapman was an anti-Apartheid activist. She has, also, been an activist for children's charities and #AIDS, as well as taking part in efforts to end #poverty. She is a staunch feminist. Chapman works with public schools in her hometown of Cleveland and works to raise awareness about Black History. She has been given honorary doctorates by #SaintXavierUniversity in Chicago and her alma mater, Tufts University, in recognition of her #SocialActivism.
"Fast Car"
You got a fast car
I want a ticket to anywhere
Maybe we make a deal
Maybe together we can get somewhere
Any place is better
Starting from zero got nothing to lose
Maybe we'll make something
Me myself I got nothing to prove
You got a fast car
I got a plan to get us out of here
I been working at the convenience store
Managed to save just a little bit of money
Won't have to drive too far
Just 'cross the border and into the city
You and I can both get jobs
And finally see what it means to be living
See my old man's got a problem
He live with the bottle that's the way it is
He says his body's too old for working
His body's too young to look like his
My mama went off and left him
She wanted more from life than he could give
I said somebody's got to take care of him
So I quit school and that's what I did
You got a fast car
Is it fast enough so we can fly away?
We gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way
So remember when we were driving driving in your car
Speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
You got a fast car
We go cruising, entertain ourselves
You still ain't got a job
And I work in a market as a checkout girl
I know things will get better
You'll find work and I'll get promoted
We'll move out of the shelter
Buy a bigger house and live in the suburbs
So remember when we were driving driving in your car
Speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
You got a fast car
I got a job that pays all our bills
You stay out drinking late at the bar
See more of your friends than you do of your kids
I'd always hoped for better
Thought maybe together you and me would find it
I got no plans I ain't going nowhere
So take your fast car and keep on driving
So remember when we were driving driving in your car
Speed so fast I felt like I was drunk
City lights lay out before us
And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder
And I had a feeling that I belonged
I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone
You got a fast car
Is it fast enough so you can fly away?
You gotta make a decision
Leave tonight or live and die this way
By: Tracy Chapman, 1988
Album: Tracy Chapman (self-titled debut album)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIOAlaACuv4
Green & Woke is a program for the African-American community discussing health, wellness, and sustainability. We provide nutritious recipes, and feature indie musicians who do great things in their local communities.
Live well, live green!
