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
Born To Fight
Tracy Chapman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
By stripping me of everything I own
They're tryin' to hurt me inside
And make me into a white man's drone
But this one's not for sale
And I was born to fight
I ain't been knocked down yet
I'm the surest bet
There ain't no man no woman
No beast alive that can beat me
'Cause I'm born to fight
They're tryin' to dig into my soul
And take away the spirit of my God
They're tryin' to take control
And monitor my every thought
I won't let down my guard
And I was born to fight
I ain't been knocked down yet
I was born to fight
I'm the surest bet
There ain't no man no woman
No beast alive that can beat me
'Cause I'm born to fight
Tracy Chapman's song "Born to Fight" speaks to the struggles of fighting against oppression and prejudice. The lyrics convey the message that regardless of how powerful the oppressors may seem, the fighting spirit of the oppressed will not falter. The first verse begins by expressing how the oppressors are trying to strip the singer of their pride by taking everything away from them. They also try to control their thoughts and turn them into a conformist drone working for the white man's interest. However, in the midst of such adversity, the singer asserts that they are not for sale because they were "born to fight." This sentiment is echoed again in the chorus and in the next verse, where the singer becomes even more resistant to the oppression they face.
The second verse speaks specifically to the oppressors' attempts to take the singer's faith and spirit away from them. Despite this, they vow not to lose their guard to protect themselves and their beliefs. The overall message that is communicated in the song is one of resistance and perseverance against societal and cultural constructs that aim to suppress and moderate the individual voice. The song is a reminder that every person is born with an inherent capability to fight against injustice and discrimination, and that no one deserves to be muted or denied the right to stand up for themselves and their beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
They're tryin' to take away my pride
They are attempting to rob me of my dignity
By stripping me of everything I own
By taking everything I possess
They're tryin' to hurt me inside
They are trying to emotionally damage me
And make me into a white man's drone
And coerce me into becoming a conformist to a white man's authority
But this one's not for sale
I'm not for sale and cannot be bought
And I was born to fight
But I was born to struggle and resist
I ain't been knocked down yet
I haven't been defeated thus far
I'm the surest bet
I'm the most certain outcome
There ain't no man no woman
There isn't a man or woman
No beast alive that can beat me
Or any creature that can overpower me
'Cause I'm born to fight
Because it's part of my nature to persevere and struggle
They're tryin' to dig into my soul
They're attempting to penetrate my essence
And take away the spirit of my God
And take away my faith in God
They're tryin' to take control
They're attempting to exert control over me
And monitor my every thought
And supervise every aspect of my thinking
I won't let down my guard
I will protect myself
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRACY L CHAPMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mabdivinedivine9682
Me too. And that was back home in Congo (Africa). That's how loved and famous she was. I'm not sure if Tracy knows it or not.
I used to listen to her back to back and knew to sing her songs as a teenager although a French speaker back then. And my brother used to take the boombox to take a shower 😆
We just loved her in my family. My siblings and I, especially my elder brother and I, were so fond of her music ❤🧡💙💚💛💜🤎🤍
I remember the first time I brought The "Crossroads" album home. My brother jumped when he listened to "Subcity", and said, "is it her new album? Woooooowww..."
Beautiful memories... 🥰
Love you, Tracy 💝
@alexsalangkaty8739
They're tryin' to take away my pride
By stripping me of everyhing I own
They're tryin' to hurt me inside
And make me into a white man's drone
But this one's not for sale
And I was born to fight
I ain't been knocked down yet
I was born to fight
I'm the surest bet
There ain't no man no woman
No beast alive that can beat me
'Cause I'm born to fight
They're tryin' to dig into my soul
And take away the spirit of my god
They're tryin' to take control
And monitor my every thought
I won't let down my guard
And I was born to fight
I ain't been knocked down yet
I was born to fight
I'm the surest bet
There ain't no man no woman
No beast alive that can beat me
'Cause I'm born to fight
@MissTFromToronto
Happy Black History Month ❤ Beautiful Black Lady Auntie Tracy and this Beautiful song 🎵
@kevikevness
This is an amazing early video that Spike Lee directed at the Gleasons Gym in NY. The video was shot in 1 day and Ms. Chapman was nervous when she shot. She really only communicated w/ Spike and took his direction to the t. Personally I got the feeling Tracy didn't realize her beauty- - -I wanted to go up to her and tell her she was the most beautiful woman in the world. Beyond Dark Chocolate Beauty. Notwithstanding her words had the power to crack the earth and the song is the rage a black person feels at the height of injustice. Born to fight. Director of Photography: Ernest Dickerson.
@jamhombre
Thanks for the info@kevikevness
@sylvia3988
When I first heard this tune, it touched the inner part of my soul! It was like the ancestors were speaking to me through her and telling me to don't give in or up to this corrupt system! The struggle continues...
@reneerobinson3559
Tracy Chapman grew up an eclectic, dark-skinned Black girl in a poor, Ohio neighborhood. So did I. It doesn't seem like she was accepted much growing up ❤️
@junklady63
I agree
@Laura-sg6ss
@@reneerobinson3559 🥺❤️🖤💚
@deathfromtheislands
The view count is insulting. This should have 8 billion views.
@ayannanicole8672
I know right!!! Thank you 😫😫😫
@asabovesobelow7981
seriously though!! 2 years later and i concur!!!!!