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
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She's Got Her Ticket
Tracy Chapman Lyrics
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I think she gonna use it
I think she going to fly away
No one should try and stop her
Persuade her with their power
She says that her mind is made up
Why not leave why not
Too much hatred
Corruption and greed
Give your life
And invariably they leave you with
Nothing
Young girl ain't got no chances
No roots to keep her strong
She's shed all pretenses
That someday she'll belong
Some folks call her a runaway
A failure in the race
But she knows where her ticket takes her
She will find her place in the sun
And she'll fly, fly, fly...
Tracy Chapman's song "She's Got Her Ticket" tells the story of a young girl who has decided to leave her life behind and embark on a journey to find her own place in the world. The first verse sets up the premise of the song and establishes the idea that the girl has made up her mind to leave. She has a ticket to go somewhere, and the singer assumes that she is going to use it to fly away. The second verse describes the girl's mindset and her determination to follow through with her plan, in spite of anyone who may try to persuade her otherwise.
The chorus of the song is a plea for the girl to leave her current situation behind, to abandon the hatred, corruption and greed that she has encountered, which has left her with nothing. The final verse gives context to the girl's situation; she is an outsider in the society she lives in, with no roots or sense of belonging. People have labeled her as a failure, but she knows that the ticket she holds will take her to a place where she can find her purpose and feel like she belongs. The repetition of the word "fly" in the final line of the chorus emphasizes the sense of freedom and possibility that the girl is seeking.
Tracy Chapman's "She's Got Her Ticket" was originally released in 1989 as a single from her album "Crossroads". The song was a top 40 hit in the US and performed well on the charts in several other countries. The song's theme of finding one's own way in the world resonated with many listeners and has made it a timeless classic.
Line by Line Meaning
She's got her ticket
She has the means and intention to leave her current situation.
I think she gonna use it
It seems likely that she will use her ticket to leave.
I think she going to fly away
She will escape and start anew.
No one should try and stop her
No one has the right to obstruct her path to freedom.
Persuade her with their power
People in positions of power may try to influence her decision.
She says that her mind is made up
She has made a decision and is resolute in her choice.
Why not leave why not
Why not escape a situation that is oppressive and unjust?
Go away
Leave behind a toxic environment.
Too much hatred
The negativity and hostility is unbearable.
Corruption and greed
Dishonesty and selfishness have pervaded the surroundings.
Give your life
Sacrifice everything for a flawed system.
And invariably they leave you with
But ultimately the system will discard and abandon you.
Nothing
Leaving you with no rewards or fulfillment.
Young girl ain't got no chances
A young woman lacks opportunities and resources.
No roots to keep her strong
She lacks a strong foundation or support system.
She's shed all pretenses
She has abandoned any notions of conformity or false appearances.
That someday she'll belong
That someday she will fit in or be accepted.
Some folks call her a runaway
Others may negatively label her for wanting to leave.
A failure in the race
Regarded as a failure for not fitting into societal expectations.
But she knows where her ticket takes her
She has a clear destination and purpose for leaving.
She will find her place in the sun
She will finally attain her rightful place and her own happiness.
And she'll fly, fly, fly...
She will soar and thrive once she is free.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRACY L CHAPMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind