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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Woman's Work
Tracy Chapman Lyrics
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The woman's work is never done
And it's not because she doesn't try
She's fighting a battle with no one on her side
She rises up in the morning
And she works 'til way past dusk
The woman better slow down
Or she's gonna come down hard
Early in the morning she rises
The woman's work is never done
Tracy Chapman's song "Woman's Work" is a powerful ode to the tireless and often unrecognized labour that is performed by women every day, all around the world. The song begins by describing the early morning routine of a woman who is already hard at work before most people have even opened their eyes. Despite her best efforts, the work never seems to end, and the woman is constantly battling against the tide of responsibilities and duties that have been thrust upon her.
Throughout the song, Chapman underscores the fact that the woman's work is not just physical labour, but also a mental and emotional struggle. The woman is fighting against a system that doesn't value her contributions, and she often feels as though she's doing it alone. Despite this, she persists, working long hours well into the night and sacrificing her own well-being in order to get things done.
Line by Line Meaning
Early in the morning she rises
At the crack of dawn, she wakes up to start her day
The woman's work is never done
Despite her efforts, her work is never truly finished
And it's not because she doesn't try
She puts in her best efforts, but still has to keep going
She's fighting a battle with no one on her side
She has to fight alone without any support
She rises up in the morning
She starts her day with energy and purpose
And she works 'til way past dusk
She works tirelessly into the night
The woman better slow down
She needs to take a break or risk exhaustion
Or she's gonna come down hard
If she doesn't rest, she will face serious consequences
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: TRACY L CHAPMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind