Her first hit in the United States is "Thunder and Lightning," released in May 1972. By August it reached #17 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, and #12 on the U.S. Record World top 100 record chart and U.S. CashBox top 100, #18 on the Canadian RPM magazine charts, and #4 on the German hit list. It drove her first album, "Chi Coltrane", to stay on the charts for three months. The song "Go Like Elijah" also received considerable airplay, and held the #1 position on the Holland hit list for one month.
After her first album was released, she released the album Let It Ride early in 1974 (on the Columbia label), Greatest Hits and Best Of albums in 1975, and in 1977 another album, Road To Tomorrow as well as Silk & Steel in 1981 . She subsequently moved to Europe where she lived for a few years. She was voted Best Female Artist for two consecutive years). She released several albums on the Teldec label during the 1980s,[1] including Live! in 1982 (it reached #12 on the European charts),and Ready to Roll (1983), and The Message (1986). In the European “100 Best Musicians of the Century” list, she was listed in the top 50.[citation needed] Golden Classics was released in November 1996 (Collectibles label). She has done TV soundtrack work, and collaborated with Tangerine Dream in 1991. She returned to Los Angeles in 1993, where she built a recording studio and worked with underprivileged groups.
In 2009 Coltrane resumed her music career, releasing a new compilation "The Essential Chi Coltrane - Yesterday, Today & Forever". The collection featured material from her 1980s albums "Live!", "Ready to Roll", and "The Message". It also contained three new recordings, including the title track which featured a Paul Buckmaster string arrangement.
Coltrane's first comeback performance was a concert in Vienna at the Donounselfest in 2009, where she drew 100,000 people. She then did a tour in Holland in October of 2009. Her CD went to #55 on the charts within two weeks. She then signed with Sony and did another tour in Holland as well as a highly successful tour in Germany. She is now preparing for additional touring in Germany, and another tour in Holland as well as a tour in Switzerland. She has committed to working next on a studio album of new material, to be released in 2012.
Let It Ride
Chi Coltrane Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Long before you learn how to begin
Just open up, you’ll receive
But you must try to believe
Let it grow, let it grow
And don’t fear what you don’t know
Just let it happen, it will help you
Al I ever wanted for you
Was to see you walk as well as run
And when you do
That you do it in the light of day
If you care, if you care
Then you cannot leave it in the air
For you must exit the way that you came
Without name
Let it ride, let it ride
And don’t let it tear you up inside
‘Cause there’s an answer to your wonder
Just reach up to His light
All I ever wanted for you
Was to see you walk as well as run
And when you do
That you do it in the light of day
In these lyrics, Chi Coltrane urges her friend to not give up before even starting, but rather to open up and believe in oneself. She encourages growth, without being afraid and letting the unknown take over. Coltrane wants her friend to come into the light, to not hide in the shadows and to walk and run freely without any clouds over their head.
The concept of "letting it ride" is also present throughout the song. She refers to not letting things tear you up inside and reminds her friend that there is an answer to their questions and doubts, all they have to do is reach out to the light. The lyrics also touch on the importance of taking action and not leaving things unsaid or undone. If you care, you cannot leave it in the air, but must exit and finish the way you started.
This song is an uplifting and motivating message, encouraging listeners to not give up, to embrace growth and perseverance, and to take actions towards their goals. The lyrics speak to the importance of facing challenges head-on, and not letting fear hold one back.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, my friend, do not end
Hey there friend, don't give up or quit
Long before you learn how to begin
Don't quit before you even start learning how to begin
Just open up, you’ll receive
Be open and you'll receive what you need
But you must try to believe
However, you need to believe and have faith
Let it grow, let it grow
Let whatever is happening grow
And don’t fear what you don’t know
Don't be afraid of the unknown
Just let it happen, it will help you
Just let it happen, it will be of help
Let it come, let it come
Let it come as it may
Al I ever wanted for you
All I've ever wanted for you
Was to see you walk as well as run
Is to see you do well in all aspects of life
And when you do
And when you achieve success
That you do it in the light of day
You do it honestly and openly
If you care, if you care
If you genuinely care
Then you cannot leave it in the air
Then you can't leave things hanging
For you must exit the way that you came
You have to leave the way you entered
Without name
Without any recognition or fame
Let it ride, let it ride
Just let it ride out
And don’t let it tear you up inside
Don't let it emotionally affect you
‘Cause there’s an answer to your wonder
Because there's an answer to your questioning
Just reach up to His light
Just reach up to God's light for guidance
All I ever wanted for you
All I've ever wanted for you
Was to see you walk as well as run
Is to see you do well in all aspects of life
And when you do
And when you achieve success
That you do it in the light of day
You do it honestly and openly
Contributed by Alice V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bo Thisted Simonsen
Have been searching for Chi Coltrane the last 25 years. She is even better than I remembered - amazing voice, vibration, feeling, power!
Peter Ruark
I think a lot of us are on some level “searching for Chi Coltrane.”
Karen Blohm
When I first heard her, my aunt had the album. She special ordered one for me.
Todaylight
For me one of the greatest music stars forever- Amazing voice, great piano player and songwriter
Grey Wolf
All of these years later and she still impacts me deeply. this is one great album.
ormehul
what a voice...amazing.
Heard Chi for the first time in 1973 - still amazing
Pelhampete
She is absolutely as good as a musician can be. And such a distinctive singer/songwriter ... one note out of her mouth and I know exactly to whom I am listening. My favorite song of her's is Forget Love but Let It Ride is a close second ... I love how this song gets quiet all of a sudden at 4:12 ... it is SO dramatic!
nogoy55
What a great performance! Thank you!
steve58502
Heard this the 1st time today. Unbelievable. She is amazing.
Beverly Lyle
God, what a talent!!!