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
Tell It Like It Is
Tracy Chapman Lyrics
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Say it say it say it Tell it like it is
What breaks your heart
What keeps you awake at night
What makes you want to breakdown and cry
But say you'll never turn your back
Say you'll never try to still the rhythms in your breast
Say you'll never look at the evil among us and try to forget
Say you'll tell it like it is
Say it say it say it
So everyone can hear
Say it say it say it tell it like it is
What breaks your hear
What keeps you awake at night
How your anger and grief
Make you want to cry out
And tell it like it is
But say you'll never close your eyes
Or pretend that it's a rosy world
Say you'll never try to paint
What is rotten with a sugarcoat
Say you'll talk about the horrors you've seen and the torment you know
And tell it like it is
Say it say it say it
So no one can forget
Say it say it say it Tell it like it is
What breaks your heart
What keeps you awake at night
What makes you want to break the ties that silence and bind
And tell it like it is
Say you'll never cover your ears and close your mouth
And live in a silent world
Say you'll only run as far or as fast as you need to be secure
Say that then you'll tell the truth
When a lie could cross your lips
And tell it like it is
Say it say it say it, Say it say it say it
Say it say it say it, Say it say it say it
Say it say it say it, Say it say it say it
Say it say it say it, Say it say it say it
In this song by Tracy Chapman, the artist prompts listeners to speak their hearts and minds and to tell the truth, no matter how difficult it might be. The song initially asks listeners what saddens them, what makes them sleepless, and what causes them to want to break down and cry. It then challenges them to remain open and empathetic, not to turn their backs on the world, and to keep their hearts open to the rhythms of life.
Furthermore, the song urges people never to ignore evil or to pretend that the world is perfect. It encourages them to face the horrors and torment that they see around them and not to sugarcoat what is rotten.
Tracy Chapman's song "Tell It Like It Is" is a stirring reminder that honesty and truthfulness are always the path to freedom and healing. No matter how difficult it may be, the song insists that we must be truthful about our emotions and the world around us.
Line by Line Meaning
Say it say it say it Tell it like it is
Encourage one another to be honest and upfront about how they feel
What breaks your heart
What are the things that hurt you deeply or make you feel sad?
What keeps you awake at night
What are the thoughts or fears that keep you from getting rest?
What makes you want to breakdown and cry
What are the situations that bring you to tears?
Say you'll never turn your back
Make a promise to always remain open and vulnerable despite what may happen
Say you'll never harden to the world
Commit to staying soft and not letting the hardships of life make you callous
Say you'll never try to still the rhythms in your breast
Promise to not suppress your inner desires or passions
Say you'll never look at the evil among us and try to forget
Pledge to not ignore the injustices and wrongdoings that are present in the world
Say you'll tell it like it is
Be upfront and truthful, regardless of the consequences
Say it say it say it So everyone can hear
Speak with clarity and intention, ensuring that your message is heard loud and clear
How your anger and grief Make you want to cry out
Describe how intense emotions can drive one to speak out
But say you'll never close your eyes Or pretend that it's a rosy world
Never ignore or deny the harsh realities that exist in the world
Say you'll never try to paint What is rotten with a sugarcoat
Don't sugarcoat the negative aspects of life
Say you'll talk about the horrors you've seen and the torment you know
Be honest about the difficult experiences that you've had
So no one can forget
Ensure that the truth is not overlooked or ignored
What makes you want to break the ties that silence and bind
What are the things that motivate you to break free from silence and speak the truth?
Say you'll never cover your ears and close your mouth
Don't ignore important issues or pretend they don't exist
And live in a silent world
Don't be content with a world that is unjust, speak out
Say you'll only run as far or as fast as you need to be secure
Don't put yourself in needless danger or seek unnecessary risks
Say that then you'll tell the truth
Promise to be truthful in all situations
When a lie could cross your lips
Even if it's tempting to tell a lie, you promise to tell the truth
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRACY L CHAPMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind