This article needs additional citations for verification .(June 2021) |
"Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Tracy Chapman | ||||
from the album Tracy Chapman | ||||
B-side |
| |||
Released | July 1988 | |||
Length | 2:39 | |||
Label | Elektra | |||
Songwriter(s) | Tracy Chapman | |||
Producer(s) | David Kershenbaum | |||
Tracy Chapman singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Official audio | ||||
"Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" on YouTube |
"Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" is the second single from American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman's self-titled debut album. The politically aware song peaked at No. 75 in the United States as opposed to its predecessor, "Fast Car" which reached No. 6. It also charted in several other countries, reaching the top 40 in Austria, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
This song was in Chapman's repertoire while she was studying at Tufts University, before the start of her professional music career, and was among several demos of her songs she had recorded for her college radio station WMFO for copyright purposes, in exchange for the station's right to play her songs. Fellow Tufts student Brian Koppelman showed his father Charles Koppelman, who ran SBK Publishing, a tape of this song that he had smuggled from the station, leading Chapman to sign with the record company. [1]
The song received heavy radio play in Tunisia in 2011 during the Tunisian Revolution. [2] [3] The song was also used as an unofficial theme for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign, played before speeches at his campaign rallies. [4]
After 5 years with no public appearances, Chapman recorded a performance of the song to air on Late Night with Seth Meyers on the eve of the 2020 United States elections. She changed the lyrics at the end to "Talkin' 'bout a revolution, Go Vote" [5] [6] [7] [8]
Chart (1988) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[ citation needed ] | 66 |
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40) [9] | 29 |
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) [10] | 36 |
Canada Top Singles ( RPM ) [11] | 42 |
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [12] | 78 |
France (SNEP) [13] | 22 |
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) [14] | 21 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100) [15] | 18 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [16] | 32 |
UK Singles (OCC) [17] | 85 |
US Billboard Hot 100 [18] | 75 |
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [19] | 45 |
US Alternative Airplay ( Billboard ) [20] | 24 |
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs ( Billboard ) [21] | 78 |
US Mainstream Rock ( Billboard ) [22] | 22 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [23] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [24] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
The song was first covered by the group Living Colour, who not only performed the song on occasion on various tours but released a live version in the compilation album What's Your Favorite Color (1995). The German punk band, Ausbruch, recorded their cover version of the song on the album, Auf Alte Zeiten (1994). English punk band Leatherface released their cover version of the song on their EP "Compact and Bijou" in 1992.
In 1989 there was a cover version from Pliers of Chaka Demus & Pliers and the Firehouse Crew released, [25] it was later re-released as Revolution Sounds. [26]
It was subsequently covered by singer Ben Jelen on the Russell Simmons/Babyface-produced all-star compilation Wake Up Everybody in 2004. This song was also covered by Reel Big Fish on their 2005 album We're Not Happy 'Til You're Not Happy and Chamberlain as a B-side to "Five Year Diary". In 2010, this song was translated into Cree and covered by Art Napoleon on his album Creeland Covers. In February 2011, Israeli band Shmemel covered the song and added a verse inspired by the Arab Spring revolutions, with the new song being given the title "Talking About an Arab Revolution". [27]
Clarence Bekker, of Playing for Change, sang a cover version to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 2017. [28]
Tracy Chapman is an American singer-songwriter, widely known for her hit singles "Fast Car" (1988) and "Give Me One Reason" (1995).
Tracy Chapman is the debut album by the American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, released on April 5, 1988, by Elektra Records. The album was recorded at the Powertrax studio in Hollywood, California. In 1987, Chapman was discovered by fellow Tufts University student Brian Koppelman. He offered to show her work to his father, who owned a successful publishing company; however, she did not consider the offer to be serious. After multiple performances, however, Koppelman found a demo tape of her singing "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution", which he promoted to radio stations, and she was eventually signed to Elektra.
"Twist and Shout" is a 1961 song written by Phil Medley and Bert Berns. It was originally recorded by the Top Notes, but it did not become a hit in the record charts until it was reworked by the Isley Brothers in 1962. The song has been covered by several artists, including the Beatles, Salt-N-Pepa, and Chaka Demus & Pliers, who experienced chart success with their versions.
Let It Rain is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, released on October 15, 2002, by Elektra Records. The album was co-produced by John Parish. It produced two singles: "You're the One" and "Another Sun".
"Jive Talkin'" is a song by the Bee Gees, released as a single in May 1975 by RSO Records. This was the lead single from the album Main Course and hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100; it also reached the top-five on the UK Singles Chart in the middle of 1975. Largely recognised as the group's comeback song, it was their first US top-10 hit since "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" (1971).
"Fast Car" is a song by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, released on April 6, 1988, by Elektra, as the lead single from her self-titled debut studio album (1988). Chapman's appearance on the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute helped the song become a top-ten hit in the United States, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, it reached number five on the UK Singles Chart in 1988.
"You Got It (The Right Stuff)" is a 1988 single from New Kids on the Block. The lead vocals were sung by Jordan Knight and Donnie Wahlberg. The second single from the group's second album Hangin' Tough, it peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart in early 1989, while topping the UK charts in November 1989. On the album, it was simply listed as "The Right Stuff"; the change to the single was probably to avoid confusion with Vanessa Williams' debut hit "The Right Stuff", which charted earlier that year. A Spanish version of the song was made ("Autentica") and peaked at number 11 in Spain.
Collection is a greatest hits album by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, released on October 30, 2001, by Elektra Records and WEA International.
"If I Were a Carpenter" is a folk song written by Tim Hardin in the 1960s, and re-recorded with commercial success by various artists including Bobby Darin, The Four Tops and Johnny Cash. Hardin's own recording of the piece appeared on his 1967 album Tim Hardin 2. It was one of two songs from that release performed by Hardin at Woodstock in 1969. The song, believed by some to be about male romantic insecurity, is rumored to have been inspired by his love for actress Susan Morss, as well as the construction of Hardin's recording studio.
"Ain't Talkin' 'bout Dub" is a song by English electronic music group Apollo 440. It was released in February 1997 as the second single from their second studio album, Electro Glide in Blue (1997). Successful on the charts in Europe, it peaked at number one in Romania and within the Top 10 in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the UK.
"Happenin' All Over Again" is a song written and produced by Stock Aitken & Waterman (SAW) for American singer Lonnie Gordon's first album, If I Have to Stand Alone (1990). The song mixed SAW's Europop sound with the blooming Italo house music which was becoming big in the UK charts at the time. It was released as the album's second single on January 15, 1990, and reached number four on the UK Singles Chart, but this 1990 version was never released in the US. A different version of the song was included on Gordon's 1993 album Bad Mood, and this version was released as a US single in 1993, peaking at number 98 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at number one on the Billboard Dance chart. In 1998, Gordon recorded the song for a second time and released it as a single.
"Wrapped" is a song written by the Peruvian singer and songwriter Gian Marco and sung by Gloria Estefan, released as the first single from her tenth studio album Unwrapped. The single returned commercial success to Gloria, having charted in various countries.
"Baby Can I Hold You" is the third single released by American contemporary folk artist Tracy Chapman, released in October 1988. The song reached the top 50 in the United States, unlike its predecessor, "Talkin' 'bout a Revolution", but it failed to become Chapman's second top 40 hit, peaking at number 48. It did, however, give her a second chart entry on the US Adult Contemporary charts, peaking at number 19 in early 1989. Given the commercial decline Chapman suffered following the release of her second album Crossroads, "Baby Can I Hold You" also became her last top 50 hit until 1996's "Give Me One Reason". In July 1990, the song reached number one in Portugal. Chapman re-released the song in 2001, in support of her first greatest hits album Collection.
"Give Me One Reason" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman. It was included on her fourth studio album, New Beginning (1995), and was released as a single in various territories between November 1995 and March 1997, her first since 1992's "Dreaming on a World". The song is Chapman's biggest US hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. It is also her biggest hit in Australia, where it reached number three as well, and it topped the charts of Canada and Iceland. Elsewhere, the song reached number 16 in New Zealand, but it underperformed in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 95 in March 1997.
"Stumblin' In" is a song written by Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn, performed by Chris Norman and Suzi Quatro. Originally released as a standalone single, it was later added to some editions of the Quatro album If You Knew Suzi... It was Norman's first single as a solo artist.
The discography of Tracy Chapman, an American singer-songwriter, consists of eight studio albums, two compilation albums, and 22 singles on Elektra Records. In the United States, Chapman has four Platinum albums, two of which are multi-platinum, and two Gold albums. All of her studio albums have charted on the U.S. Billboard 200, with five charting in the Top 40, and three in the Top 10. Five of Chapman's singles have charted on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, with "Fast Car" and "Give Me One Reason" reaching the Top 10 on both charts. The latter was also certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Both singles also hit No. 1 in Canada.
All the Way is the fifth studio album by American singer Brenda Lee. The album was released August 7, 1961, on Decca Records and was produced by Owen Bradley. It was the second of two studio albums released by Brenda Lee in 1961 and spawned the single "Dum Dum", which became a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and a UK single "Speak to Me Pretty", which reached No.3 on the UK singles chart.
Luke Albert Combs is an American country music singer and songwriter. Born and raised in North Carolina, he began performing as a child. After dropping out of college to pursue a career in music, he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he released his debut EP, The Way She Rides, in 2014.
Greatest Hits is a greatest hits album by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, released on November 20, 2015, by Elektra and Rhino.
American country music singer and songwriter Luke Combs has released four studio albums, four extended plays, and eighteen singles. Of his eighteen singles, sixteen have gone to number one on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
In 1964, Dylan released The Times Are a-Changin' to support the American civil rights movement. Tracy Chapman sang Talkin' 'bout a Revolution in 1988, which has also been played repeatedly on Tunisian radio stations in the recent months.