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Tracy Chapman Forum :: Tracy Chapman Fan Forum :: General Board :: How you found Tracy!

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Topic: How you found Tracy! (Read 184 times)

Stef
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How you found Tracy!
« Thread Started on Apr 22, 2008, 9:52am »

Tell us of how Tracy Chapman came into your life.
Where and when was your first listen, what song or album was it and who introduced you?

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Luth
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Re: How you found Tracy!
« Reply #1 on Apr 24, 2008, 10:12am »

About three years ago my brother showed me some of her songs. I knew that he liked really good music, so I listened to the album called "Tracy Chapman". I was so amazed that I just screamed "Wow! How wonderful voice HE has!" And then it turned out that Tracy is a woman. Then there was a long break, I didn't listen to Tracy's music, but about two months ago I saw the Telling Stories music video and I just fell in love with everything connected with Tracy again. And I won't let her go out of my life.

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sims2lover
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Re: How you found Tracy!
« Reply #2 on May 19, 2008, 5:35pm »

1989, I guess.

I first heard "Fast Car" on the radio when it was a brand new song and Tracy has occupied the place of favorite musician in my heart ever since. The very first time I bought the Debut all those years ago was on cassette tape. Lol.

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knockon
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Re: How you found Tracy!
« Reply #3 on May 26, 2008, 3:49pm »

First saw her at the Nelson Mandela Concert in london...way back in the 80's!!

Such a change of pace, a great storyteller though she was the new (improved?) Bob dylan !?

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qilla
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Re: How you found Tracy!
« Reply #4 on Jul 8, 2008, 10:37am »

In 2005, while sitting, waiting for the professor to enter the classroom, a classmate commented that I looked like Tracy Chapman. Before I knew it, many of the surrounding students began to agree, pointing out my short locks and facial features. Sadly, at the time, I had no idea who Tracy Chapman was, and had never heard her music. Of course, I was anxious to know what beautiful woman was walking around wearing my face. So, after class, I immediately went online and searched for “photos of Tracy Chapman”. Although I found that there were some similarities, I didn’t think that the resemblance was too striking.

I began to ask my friends whether they thought I looked like Tracy Chapman. The responses varied, but all agreed that there was some resemblance. When I asked my proud Jamaican friend who had an appreciation for Tracy’s music, he shrugged his shoulders and laughed it off. A few days later, he brought in the "Let it Rain" CD, and allowed me to borrow it for as long as I liked.

I cannot say that Tracy’s music was love at first sight, especially during a time when Rap and R&B dominated the music industry. Her deep melancholic alto, paired with her edgy folk-rock style was something entirely new to me. After focusing more on the lyrics, however, I found that the more I listened to the CD, the more I liked it. It was like listening to music that spoke to the soul when, all my life, I had only head music that spoke to my ears. In addition, besides the fact that I’m a musician myself, I found it especially pleasing to see such a talented and accomplished woman that looked like me.

Next thing I knew, I was going online, buying all her CDs from the 80’s and 90’s. ..As one might presume, I never returned the “Let it Rain” CD to my friend. After having it so long, and becoming so zealous about Tracy and her music, I guess he would’ve felt guilty to take it back. That’s what friends are for

lol

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verity
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Re: How you found Tracy!
« Reply #5 on Jul 14, 2008, 8:30pm »

i grew up listening to her music all the time, i first listened to her self titled album at a very young age and fell in love with her songs

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fuzzpaul
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Re: How you found Tracy!
« Reply #6 on Oct 23, 2008, 6:55am »

Three phases for me:

Phase 1 - I was a little kid, somewhere between 5 and 6 years old. My sister (7 years older than me) discovered Tracy Chapman debut album. So I heard the album quite a lot as a little kid and loved it... but things went quiet with Tracy until...

Phase 2 - High school. I was in Year 8 (about 14 years old) and I was given a gift voucher for my birthday. I decided to buy a Double CD (Tracy Chapman and Crossroads) and that was the rediscovery. Great music, loved the voice, great memories of my sister (who'd been living overseas at the time for a couple of years at this stage). The following year Give Me One Reason hit the charts and it was awesome, but I didn't warm to New Beginnings. Instead, things went quiet again. Until...

Phase 3 - After School. I think it was 2002, I was 19, very miserable and an absolute mess. And then I discovered "Telling Stories" in the $10 basket at a small music store. I bought it simply because it was Tracy. On the album was the one song that to this day touches my soul (which seems to happen to a few of you guys with Tracy's music!)...

I was alone at home and listening to the album on random play in the backgound while I lay there on the couch in a state, just hoping, praying, asking for an answer to all the things I was struggling with.

And that's when First Try came on. And it spoke to me so, so deeply and personally. I couldn't believe it. To this day it still gives me goosebumps when I listen to that song, and others of hers that I've discovered since. Tracy is the only artist whose song lyrics are so personal to me. Just like Qilla said, her music speaks to my soul, not just to my ears.

So, here I am a few years later and teaching in a high school, and I'm converting a few of my students to Tracy fandom lol. In past reflections we've had, I've used a couple of Tracy's songs and a few of the teenagers have gone out and bought her music.

Man I can't wait for Our Bright Future to be released.

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from the brain of fuzzpaul

1s2a3s
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Re: How you found Tracy!
« Reply #7 on Sept 22, 2009, 3:48am »

I came across Tracy when I asked my cousin what to getmy mum for her birthday a few years back. And we started brainstorming some ideas, and coming up with different artists since I wanted to get her a CD. We had Lauryn Hill, Joan Armatrading, and these other women who reminded me of my mum in looks and style/vibes...but Tracy Chapman spoke to me the most, and I got my mum as CD which I turned out to love as well as my mum! I am also drawn to Tracy Because she looks like my mum as well, hehehehehe, it's just my mum is more girly.

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