Nearly 30 Years Later, Tracy Chapman’s ‘Fast Car’ Is Still Painfully Relevant
http://www.liberalamerica.org/2015/07/01/nearly-30-years-later-tracy-chapmans-fast-car-is-still-painfully-relevant/
An anthropology student at Tufts University spent her time busking at the local street performance stomping ground of Harvard Square. Eventually, she was noticed by a fellow student, and he was so impressed by her that he brought her to his father’s attention. Why does this matter? His father just happened to be music producer Charles Koppelman, and the student? None other than the now-famous and revered Tracy Chapman.
Chapman was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1964, and at a young age, she moved with her family to Connecticut, and later attended Tufts University where she studied anthropology and African studies. In 1987, following her happenstance with Charles Koppelman, Tracy signed with Elektra Records and released her eponymous debut album the following year.
From her album’s single, ‘Fast Car,’ Tracy would become a global sensation. She became most exposed by her performances at Nelson Mandela’s 70th Tribute Concert, where she performed “Fast Car” in front a large crowd, and was broadcasted to roughly 600 Million watching the vastly televised event. Tracy would go on to receive immense praise, and won the “Best Female Pop Vocal Performance” for “Fast Car” at the 1989 Grammy Awards. The song also made its way onto Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs f All time, coming in at #167.
The ballad is a gloomy reflection on the struggle of living with poverty. Chapman’s voice is one of the most recognizable in the business because of her “rich timbre, bluesy flexibility, and deeply honest presentation,” according to vocal arts teacher Joanna Cazden.
We've got to make a decision, leave tonight or live and die this way...
= new reply since forum marked as read
) 
