You're the One
Chapman (Tracy) Lyrics

Um hmm
Tracy Chapman hums at the beginning, setting the relaxed and soothing tone of the song.

Some say you're crazy
Rumors surround the person she loves, with some source claiming that the individual is insane or mentally unstable.

Say that you're no good
People spreading negative gossip about the person, stating that they are not good human beings.

Say your family's cursed with bad blood
Superstitious beliefs that the family or lineage of the person she loves is marked with misfortune or tragedy.

But I think you're cute and misunderstood
Tracy herself, on the other hand, finds the person adorable and simply misinterpreted by everyone else, adding a positive outlook to the situation.

And I wouldn't change you if I could
She accepts and loves the person as they are, flaws and all, and wouldn't even consider changing them.

Let 'em talk you down
She advises her partner to ignore the words of others that might belittle them.

Call you names
The insults and put-downs directed towards her partner are not worth responding to, according to her.

My mind's made up
Tracy has made up her mind and will stand by her partner, no matter what the rumors are.

It ain't gonna change
Her feelings for her partner won't waver despite the criticism and negative comments thrown their way.

I'm sure in my heart
Tracy is confident in her own heart that her partner is the right one for her, despite being bombarded with rude opinions.

Happy and free
Being in love makes Tracy feel content and liberated.

You're the one, You're the one, You're the one for me
Tracy reassures her partner that all of the negativity from others won't affect the bond between them, emphasizing that her lover is, indeed, the one for her.

Some say you're bitter
Another rumor circulating is that the person she loves is bitter, sour, or resentful.

Think you're mean
People are perceiving her lover as being cruel, unkind, or even vicious.

Uncouth untamed and unrestrained
People also associate her partner with being unrefined, wild, and untethered.

But I think you're sensitive and sweet
Despite the negativity surrounding her partner, Tracy sees them as tender and lovely individuals.

Stay as you are, don't change a thing
Tracy loves them just the way they are, and she doesn't want them to alter anything about themselves.

Some say you're bawdy, Wicked and wild, A restless useless juvenile
More criticism her partner has to deal with is being called offensive, naughty, immoral, and having no direction in life.

But I think you're funny and I like your smile
Despite people attaching negative labels to her partner, she finds them hilarious and fell in love with their smile.

Want to be with you
Tracy desires to stay and spend time with her partner.

Want you to stay a while
Tracy expresses her wish that her partner will stay with her for a long time.

A no count mixed up, Amount to nothing, A day away from a bum on the street, Some low class kind of royalty
This is how people describe her partner to her, meaning they are people of low status, almost beggars, and have no value or potential for success.

That's what they say about you, When they're talking to me
Tracy feels that people usually talk about her partner in negative ways whenever she is around.

Some say you're bad, A bad bad seed, You love to play with fire, you love gambling
People are judging her partner as being mischievous, even dangerous, and enjoy taking risks for treacherous things like gambling.

But I know what you love and I know what you need, And I like it when you play with me
Despite how people view her partner, Tracy knows what they desire and what they necessitate, and she takes pleasure in letting her partner be playful with them.

I'm sure in my heart, Happy and free, You're the one, You're the one, You're the one for me
She reiterates how her partner brings joy and freedom to her life, and reemphasizes the fact that her lover is undoubtedly, entirely the one for her.