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
Be Careful of My Heart
Tracy Chapman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You and your tantalizing ways
You and your honey lips
You and all the sweet things that they say
You and your wild wild ways
One day you just up and walked away
You left me hurting
You taught me something
Something took half my life to learn
When you give all yourself away
Just tell them to be careful of your heart
Be careful of my heart, heart
Be careful of this heart of mine
Be careful of my heart, heart
It just might break and send some splinters flying
Be careful of my heart, heart
Be careful
You you you
You you you
You you you
Took my love
Thought you took it all
You you you
You you you
You you you
Took my love
And now you're gone
But I'm not breaking down
And I'm not falling apart
I just lost a little faith
When you broke my heart
Given a chance I might try it again
But I wouldn't risk it all this time
I'd save
A little love for myself
Enough for my heart to mend
A little love for myself
One day I just might love again
One day some sweet smile might turn my head
One day I just might give all myself away
One day
One day
One day
The song "Be Careful of My Heart" by Tracy Chapman is a powerful reflection on love, heartbreak, and learning to move on. The opening verse describes the singer's initial infatuation with a lover's smile, mannerisms, and words that were once so sweet. However, the relationship came to an abrupt end when they left the singer hurting. Although the singer has forgiven their lover, they have learned a lasting lesson: that it is important to tell others to "be careful of your heart" when giving all of oneself away. The singer warns that their heart is delicate and vulnerable to pain, and encourages others to tread lightly to prevent more heartache.
The chorus of the song repeats the warning to be careful of the singer's heart, as it may break and send splinters flying. The second verse acknowledges the pain and loss that the singer has experienced, but shows strength and resilience in not breaking down or falling apart. They have lost faith in love and the ability to risk everything for it. However, they have not given up on finding love again someday, and will be cautious in approaching it. The song ends with the repetition of "one day," suggesting that the singer is still hopeful for the future and the possibility of loving someone again.
Overall, "Be Careful of My Heart" is a poignant and relatable portrayal of the ups and downs of love and heartbreak. It showcases Tracy Chapman's raw and emotional lyrics, and her ability to connect with listeners through her powerful words.
Line by Line Meaning
You and your sweet smile
The singer is addressing her former love interest and how his charming smile captivated her.
You and your tantalizing ways
The singer is referring to the seductive behavior of her former lover.
You and your honey lips
The singer is describing how she was drawn to the physical appeal of her former lover, specifically his lips.
You and all the sweet things that they say
The singer is recounting how her former lover would manipulate her with sweet words.
You and your wild wild ways
The singer is referencing her former lover's reckless behavior which eventually damaged their relationship.
One day you just up and walked away
The singer describes how her significant other left her suddenly and without any explanation.
You left me hurting
The singer is explaining how her significant other's departure was painful and caused her emotional distress.
But I can forgive you for that now
The singer is suggesting that she has put the past behind her and has forgiven her former lover.
You taught me something
The singer acknowledges that the experience has taught her a valuable lesson.
Something took half my life to learn
The singer is stating that this lesson is something that she had to learn the hard way after years of experience.
When you give all yourself away
The singer is conveying that she gave her all in the relationship, possibly to her detriment.
Just tell them to be careful of your heart
The singer suggests that others should be wary of the effects of giving their all in relationships.
Be careful of my heart, heart
The singer reiterates the warning about not giving too much of oneself in relationships.
Be careful of this heart of mine
The singer is referencing her own heart as a cautionary tale for others.
It just might break and send some splinters flying
The singer is warning that a broken heart can have far-reaching emotional pain, like splinters flying in all directions.
You you you
Took my love
The singer is acknowledging that her former lover took advantage of her love.
And now you're gone
The singer acknowledges that her former lover has left her behind.
But I'm not breaking down
The singer suggests that she has found the strength to move on in life.
And I'm not falling apart
The singer emphasizes her mental and emotional strength.
I just lost a little faith
The singer suggests that she may be a bit jaded or less trusting after experiencing heartbreak.
When you broke my heart
The singer references the moment her heart was broken as a result of her former lover's actions.
Given a chance I might try it again
The singer suggests that she might be open to love again.
But I wouldn't risk it all this time
The singer suggests that she would be more cautious in the future and protect her heart.
I'd save
A little love for myself
The singer suggests that she would be more mindful to reserve some love for herself in the future.
Enough for my heart to mend
The singer suggests that this reserved love would help her heal after heartbreak.
One day I just might love again
The singer suggests that over time, she would open herself to love again.
One day some sweet smile might turn my head
The singer expresses how she may become enamored with someone's charming demeanor in the future.
One day I just might give all myself away
The singer suggests that she may still be willing to give herself fully in a relationship, but with more caution than before.
One day
One day
One day
The singer repeats 'One day' three times, expressing optimism about the future and her openness to love again.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRACY L CHAPMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind