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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Thinking of You
Tracy Chapman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What can not be proven
What can be assumed
Once when I was younger
In the bloom of youth
I received an honest answer
When a lie would do
And now all I do is sit
In my darkened room
And on occasion break my silence
To howl at the moon
To curse every nerve
And neuron in my brain
That won't stop the pain I'm feeling
And let me stop thinking
I used to think
Galileo would agree
That the world was round
And you'd come round to me
But I have looked for you
And you're nowhere in sight
The world must be flat
The Babylonians were right
[Chorus:]
I used to think
Consider gravity
If I placed you on a pedestal
You'd slip and fall for me
But you floated on the air
Far away at light speed
I guess some objects do defy
The laws that we conceive
[Chorus:]
I used to think
It took all my time
Analyzing you
Your mind on my mind
Your name my mantra
Repeated on my lips
That once tried to kiss you
A memory unrepressed
[Chorus:]
Stop thinking of you
Stop thinking of you
Stop thinking of you
In Tracy Chapman's song "Thinking Of You," the songwriter seems to be grappling with the struggle between what one knows to be true and what they assume. The first verse suggests that the truth is something that can be assumed, while the second suggests that honesty is the only way to find what is real and true. The chorus talks about the pain of thinking too much and being unable to turn off one's thoughts. The singer expresses anger towards their own mind for not stopping the pain they're feeling.
The second verse introduces the idea that the world may not be what it seems, and that assumptions can be proven wrong. The songwriter references Galileo and the idea that the world was once believed to be flat. Similarly, the singer's assumptions about the object of their affections were proven wrong when they did not come around. In the third verse, the songwriter suggests that even established laws, like gravity, can be broken by some objects, just like the object of their affection appears to defy their assumed laws of attraction.
Ultimately, the repeated chorus highlights the difficulties of being unable to stop thinking of someone or something, and the pain it can cause. The verse's shifting from assumptions and proven truths highlights the difficulty of putting one's thoughts to rest.
Line by Line Meaning
About what's real and true
Exploring the notion of what actually exists or is factual.
What can not be proven
The idea that some concepts are unverifiable by proof or evidence.
What can be assumed
Expressing the belief that certain things can be deduced or inferred without being confirmed.
Once when I was younger
Looking back on a past experience from a time of youth.
In the bloom of youth
Suggesting a period of life where everything seemed fresh, new and alive.
I received an honest answer
Reflecting on a time when someone was truthful, rather than choosing to deceive.
When a lie would do
Contrasting the concept of honesty, with the more expedient but less truthful, deception.
And now all I do is sit
Presenting a current state of being, spending time in contemplation, rumination and introspection to make sense of life.
In my darkened room
Painting a picture of isolation and withdrawal from the outside world to be alone with thoughts.
And on occasion break my silence
Suggesting that even when alone, talking to oneself to make sense of thoughts can happen.
To howl at the moon
The idea of looking for an outlet to express pain and despair.
To curse every nerve
Expressing feelings of frustration and anger that can overwhelm a person.
And neuron in my brain
Describing the pain and mental anguish that can result from unrequited love.
That won't stop the pain I'm feeling
The realization that even with understanding and insight, some emotional pain cannot be cured.
And let me stop thinking
Feeling a desire to escape the cycle of rumination, and find peace from obsessive thoughts.
I used to think
Reflecting on past thoughts and beliefs that were once held.
Galileo would agree
Describing the confidence and certainty that was previously felt, with the conviction that the laws of science would prove true in matters of the heart.
That the world was round
Feeling a sense of conviction about what was once held to be true, and struggling with the reality that these beliefs may not always hold up.
And you'd come round to me
Hoping that the person we love will eventually come back to our side.
But I have looked for you
Expressing the realization that the person is not coming back and that hope needs to be abandoned.
And you're nowhere in sight
Feeling of disappointment and sadness, realizing that the person is gone and may never return.
The world must be flat
Concluding that previously held beliefs and assumptions may have been wrong, and may require rethinking.
The Babylonians were right
Acknowledging that sometimes, there's merit in ancient beliefs and knowledge that were once considered archaic.
Consider gravity
Turning to science once again, looking for rational solutions to emotional conundrums.
If I placed you on a pedestal
Reflecting on the idea of idolizing or worshipping someone, and the dangers of having unrealistic expectations.
You'd slip and fall for me
Realizing that idealizing someone can distort reality, making them seem unattainable or perfect, rather than seeing them as they are.
But you floated on the air
Expressing a sense of distance and detachment, of the person being beyond our reach or understanding.
Far away at light speed
An idea of infinite separation that cannot be bridged, beginning to settle the idea that the person is gone for good.
I guess some objects do defy
Acknowledging that some things are impossible or difficult to comprehend or understand.
The laws that we conceive
The notion that what we consider to be the immutable laws of nature may not be applicable to the vagaries of human behavior and emotion.
It took all my time
A confession of obsession, time and energy spent in trying to figure out someone else's thoughts and feelings.
Analyzing you
Expressing the idea of being caught in a cycle of trying to understand someone, without considering that they may be beyond comprehension.
Your mind on my mind
A reflection of how a person can occupy the entirety of one's thoughts, even when they are no longer present.
Your name my mantra
The idea of repeating someone's name like a prayer, in the hope that it will bring them back or stop the pain of their absence.
Repeated on my lips
Describing the idea of constant repetition of thoughts, turning them over in our minds as we try to come to terms with what has happened.
That once tried to kiss you
Reflecting on a moment in time when there was the possibility of reciprocating love, but realizing that it may never happen again.
A memory unrepressed
A description of how the memory of the past, the good and the bad, remains a part of our lives.
Stop thinking of you
The poignant reminder that in spite of all the pain, the constant rumination and wondering, it's finally time to let go and move on.
Stop thinking of you
A repeating of the previous line, emphasizing once again how important it is to let go of the past and focus on the future.
Stop thinking of you
A final cry, a plea to oneself to truly let go of the pain and start afresh with new hope and possibilities.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ASA LIVINGSTON, JASON CHAPMAN, JEFFREY TIMMONS, RIC MOLINA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind