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Tracy Chapman — Tell It Like It Is
Album: New Beginning
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 643









Released: 1995
Length: 6:00
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Say it say it say it Tell it like it is
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 harden to the world
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
Comments (29)add comment
I loved her first album. This sounds a bit tame to me.
I have never heard this one of hers before. Just another great song, by a singer who has a most unique, and beautiful voice. As well, a wonderful genuine song writer, if I recall, writing her own music.
Never less than most excellent, a beautifully crafted song.
 rhw wrote:
Tracy Chapman is awesome.
 
Right On!
This song is WAY too long... I said it.
 david630 wrote:
enough of the Tracy Chapman
 
Just.say.no.
This is not bad.  But when I first saw the title (before I clicked play), I wondered if this was a cover of Irma Thomas' song of the same name.  A New Orleans classic from the 50s that wears very well.  Bill: how about more Crescent City music?
say what you think.  why not?
Sound with some attracted charm. I translate a text.
enough of the Tracy Chapman
ploafmaster wrote:
ploafmaster wrote: Oi...second Chapman song today... I don't hate her stuff, but I don't find it all that special, either. 8-<
spartan wrote:
Agreed. One song in a day is PLENTY.
I was just thinking the same thing, not bad... just does not do anything for me.
Is she related to Gary Coleman in any way?
Tracy... singing from her Soul. I gotta love it, and I do.
Its rare to find a singer/songwriter with this much talent. Social consciousness and muscial talent! Great album as well.
Monotonous. I find her boring. 3
catmaven wrote:
His/her singing is as irritating as Stevie Wonder's. This is so excruciating that I have to tune out now.
ahhhh, the subtle ways of homphobia/misgyny, and a touch of racism thruought! How nice. Tracy Chapman is a woman, a lesbian, and an artist. A very fine, socially conscious artist to boot! Also, damn handsome too ;)
radiojunkie wrote:
Sheesh. You have cats who actually LIKE you?
A maven is an expert on a given subject, not necessarily one who attracts it. Any answer to the gee-tar question below? I'm interested to know who's been ripping off Pete Townshend. ;-)
ploafmaster wrote:
Oi...second Chapman song today... I don't hate her stuff, but I don't find it all that special, either. 8-<
Agreed. One song in a day is PLENTY.
Oi...second Chapman song today... I don't hate her stuff, but I don't find it all that special, either. 8-<
catmaven wrote:
His/her singing is as irritating as Stevie Wonder's. This is so excruciating that I have to tune out now.
Sheesh. You have cats who actually LIKE you?
His/her singing is as irritating as Stevie Wonder's. This is so excruciating that I have to tune out now.
anybody know who that is playing the kewl blues guitar leads on this song?
That guitar is very Pete Townshend-esque, no? Reminiscent of "Eminence Front"... Decent tune. At least it's more varied than a lot of what I hear from her.
Far superior to crappy cover of a great bill monroe tune heard right before. This is a great artist and a great song.
Good tunes there, whenever I hear Chapman I\'m reminded of the Wayan\'s sister doing that skit on Living Color. Double bonus, Living Color was good stuff and Tracy lays down great tracks.
Tracy Chapman is one of the most gifted songwriters that I know of.
Tracy Chapman is awesome.
I don\'t own too much music.... though I did plunk down the dough for this one. That tells ya something, huh? I really like this tune and also \"Cold Feet\" from that album.