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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Why?
Tracy Chapman Lyrics
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When there's enough food to feed the world
Why when there are so many of us
Are there people still alone
Why are the missiles called peace keepers
When they're aimed to kill
Why is a woman still not safe
Love is hate
War is peace
No is yes
And we're all free
But somebody's gonna have to answer
The time is coming soon
Amidst all these questions and contradictions
There are some who seek the truth
But somebody's gonna have to answer
The time is coming soon
When the blind remove their blinders
And the speechless speak the truth
Tracy Chapman's song "Why?" is a powerful commentary on the state of the world and humanity's struggles with inequality and injustice. The lyrics explore a series of questions that challenge the status quo and highlight the stark realities of poverty, oppression, and violence. The verses about babies starving and people being alone despite the abundance of resources evoke a sense of frustration and anger, while the lines about missiles being called peacekeepers and women being unsafe in their own homes point to the twisted nature of power and powerlessness.
The chorus of the song, with its paradoxical statements about love and hate, war and peace, and freedom and oppression, adds to the overall sense of confusion and disorientation in the world. It suggests that things are not as they seem and that the truth is often hidden behind layers of propaganda and distortion.
Despite the bleak picture painted by the lyrics, the song ends on a note of hope and a call to action. The repeated refrain "somebody's gonna have to answer" suggests that there is a need for accountability and responsibility, and that individuals have the power to speak out and demand change. The final lines about the blind removing their blinders and the speechless speaking the truth imply that there is a possibility for a future in which justice and equality are possible.
Line by Line Meaning
Why do the babies starve
Why do innocent babies have to suffer and die from starvation?
When there's enough food to feed the world
Despite having enough food, so many babies and children are dying of malnutrition and hunger.
Why when there are so many of us
With so many people in the world, why are some people still left alone in their misery and suffering?
Are there people still alone
Despite being surrounded by others, individuals still experience loneliness and isolation.
Why are the missiles called peace keepers
Why are weapons designed to kill people being given labels that suggest they are for peacekeeping and protection?
When they're aimed to kill
Peacekeeper missiles have lethal force that can threaten people's lives.
Why is a woman still not safe
Despite living in their homes as well, why are women not always safe and subjected to gender-based violence?
When she's in her home
The dangers that women face are even more harrowing in their domestic environments where they should feel secure.
Love is hate
Contrary to the very definition of love, some individuals associate love with feelings of hate and disdain.
War is peace
War and peace are two opposite ideals, yet some people try to justify war as a means for peace.
No is yes
Some individuals try to manipulate and confuse others by stating the opposite of what is true.
And we're all free
Despite contradictory statements and ideas, we continue to believe that we have freedom.
But somebody's gonna have to answer
Accountability is necessary for the present predicament of the world to find a solution to these problems.
The time is coming soon
The time for action is near where collective responsibility and accountability will pave the way for change.
Amidst all these questions and contradictions
Although in the presence of unanswered questions and contradictions, some are still committed to finding the truth.
There are some who seek the truth
While many ignore the injustices of the world, some still strive to uncover the underlying truths that are often hidden from plain sight.
When the blind remove their blinders
When we stop ignoring and staying uninvolved in the face of global problems, we can work towards finding solutions and creating change.
And the speechless speak the truth
Even those who have no voice, marginalized and oppressed communities can come forward with their experiences and help us all move forward together.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TRACY L CHAPMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind