Born in Cleveland, Ohio,U.S., Tracy Chapman began playing guitar and writing songs as a child. She received a scholarship through A Better Chance that allowed her to attend Wooster School in Connecticut, and was eventually accepted to Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts.
Tracy Chapman helped restore songwriters to the spotlight in the '80s. The multi-platinum success of Chapman's eponymous 1988 debut was unexpected, and it had lasting impact. Although Chapman was working from the same confessional songwriter foundation that had been popularized in the '70s, her songs were fresh and powerful, driven by simple melodies and affecting lyrics. At the time of her first album, there were only a handful of artists performing such a style successfully, and her success ushered in a new era of songwriters that lasted well into the '90s. Along with 10,000 Maniacs and R.E.M., Chapman's liberal politics proved enormously influential on American college campuses in the late '80s.
Official Website: http://www.tracychapman.com
Fansite: http://www.tracychapmanonline.com
Baby Can I Hold You
Tracy Chapman Lyrics
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Is all that you can say
Years gone by and still
Words don't come easily
Like sorry, like sorry
Perdonami
È una parola che
E non ti è facile dire a me
Perdonami, perdonami
But you can say baby
Baby, can I hold you tonight?
Maybe if I told you the right words
Ooh, at the right time you'd be mine
Io t'amo
È una parola che
Tu non dici mai
Words don't come easily
Like I love you, I love you
Ci sono parole
Che tu non sai dire, o non vuoi
Quando a volte non c'è bisogno di più
Di uno scusami, se mi vuoi
Baby, can I hold you tonight? (Che tu non sai dire, o non vuoi)
Maybe if I told you the right words
Ooh, at the right time you'd be mine
Se mi vuoi
You'd be mine
Se mi vuoi
You'd be mine (se mi vuoi)
Tracy Chapman’s song, “Baby Can I Hold You,” is a melancholic ballad about the difficulties of expressing one’s emotions, especially when it comes to apologizing and expressing love. The lyrics of the song convey a sense of regret and longing for what could have been if only the singer had been able to communicate their feelings better. The first verse of the song begins with “Sorry, is all that you can’t say” and talks about how years have gone by, yet words still don’t come easily. This suggests that the inability to apologize may have led to the deterioration of a relationship. The second verse continues in a similar vein with the line “Forgive me, is all that you can’t say,” emphasizing how difficult it is for some people to admit they are wrong.
The chorus of the song starts with “But you can say baby, baby can I hold you tonight?” which is the closest thing to expressing emotions that the singer can muster. Instead of apologizing or saying “I love you,” the singer seeks physical comfort, a hug. The line “Maybe if I told you the right words, oh at the right time you’d be mine,” suggests that the singer missed their chance because they were unable to express themselves earlier. The second refrain repeats the same pattern, with the singer singing “I love you, is all that you can’t say,” which might be the very thing the other person in the relationship wants to hear.
The repetition of the verses and chorus paints a picture of someone who is unable to articulate their feelings properly and is stuck in a spiral of regret and longing for what could have been. The lyrics of the song are simple yet evocative, and Chapman’s voice conveys the emotion of the song perfectly.
Line by Line Meaning
Sorry
You find it hard to express regret for your past actions and apologize.
Is all that you can't say
The only thing that seems difficult for you to articulate is an apology.
Years gone by and still
Despite a significant amount of time passing, you still struggle to apologize.
Words don't come easily
It is hard for you to find the right words and express yourself with ease.
Like sorry, like sorry
Similar to saying sorry, there are other things that you find difficult to say.
Forgive me
Instead of saying sorry, you wish to be forgiven for your past actions.
But you can say baby
Despite struggling with apologies and finding the right words, you can still express love and affection.
Baby, can I hold you tonight?
You long for physical intimacy and a deeper connection with your partner.
Maybe if I told you the right words
You believe that by finding the right words to express your feelings, you could have a closer relationship with your partner.
Ooh, at the right time you'd be mine
You believe that by finding the right words at the right time, you could win over your partner's heart.
I love you
The ultimate expression of love and affection that you struggle to say.
You'd be mine
By finding the right words and expressing your love, you believe you could have a deeper and more meaningful relationship with your partner.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Tracy Chapman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind