In 1988 Tracy Chapman was the most popular recording artist in the world.tracy-chapman.jpg This was strange, because in a world newly dominated by Madonna, Chapman was far from what was “in” at the time. She was a dark skinned woman, who had just started locking her hair . She sang in a deep alto voice, and played acoustic folk/rock music, likened to “folkies” in the seventies “Peace Movement”. She wrote highly political lyrics and used them as a form of protest. Nothing “safe”. Of course, those who Chapman protested against were her biggest fans. Like, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, and several other great Black artists, Chapman had a hard time getting her message across to her own people. She’s even spoken about how painful it is that Blacks don’t listen to her music, in several interviews throughout her career.

I understand that genre of music is a matter taste, and everyone may not like folk/rock. But unfortunately, many of us have allowed ourselves to be pigeonholed as listeners, and close our ears to anything that sounds remotely different than what we are used to. Some say Black music has to have “soul”. I would argue that “soul” comes through sincerity, not through funky basslines, high-hats, and raspy vibrato.

So, Miss Chapman, I, and un-mute magazine plan to expose your soul. As a matter of fact, I think I may have a Tracy Chapman moment every week, with a new song (and there are TONS of them) until I think people have gotten a clue.

Behind The Wall from self-titled debut, Tracy Chapman

Last night I heard the screaming
Loud voices behind the wall
Another sleepless night for me
It won’t do no good to call
The police
Always come late
If they come at all

And when they arrive
They say they can’t interfere
With domestic affairs
Between a man and his wife
And as they walk out the door
The tears well up in her eyes

Last night I heard the screaming
Then a silence that chilled my soul
Prayed that I was dreaming
When I saw the ambulance in the road

And the policeman said
“I’m here to keep the peace
Will the crowd disperse
I think we all could use some sleep”

Last night I heard the screaming
Loud voices behind the wall
Another sleepless night for me
It won’t do no good to call
The police
Always come late
If they come at all