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Talkin' 'bout a Revolution

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"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.

"Talkin' 'bout a Revolution"
Single by Tracy Chapman
from the album Tracy Chapman
B-side
  • "If Not Now..."
  • "Behind the Wall" (live)
  • "She's Got Her Ticket"
ReleasedJuly 1988
GenreFolk[1]
Length2:39
LabelElektra
Songwriter(s)Tracy Chapman
Producer(s)David Kershenbaum
Tracy Chapman singles chronology
"Fast Car"
(1988) 		"Talkin' 'bout a Revolution"
(1988) 		"Baby Can I Hold You"
(1988)
Official audio
"Talkin' 'bout a Revolution" on YouTube

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.[2]

The song received heavy radio play in Tunisia in 2011 during the Tunisian Revolution.[3][4] The song was also used as an unofficial theme for Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign, played before speeches at his campaign rallies.[5]

After five years of 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"[6][7][8][9]

Charts

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Chart (1988) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[citation needed] 66
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[10] 29
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[11] 36
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[12] 42
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[13] 78
France (SNEP)[14] 22
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[15] 21
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[16] 18
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[17] 32
UK Singles (OCC)[18] 85
US Billboard Hot 100[19] 75
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[20] 45
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[21] 24
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[22] 78
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[23] 22

Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[24] Gold 45,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[25] Gold 50,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[26] Gold 400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Cover versions

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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,[27] it was later re-released as Revolution Sounds.[28]

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".[29]

Clarence Bekker, of Playing for Change, sang a cover version to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 2017.[30]

References

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  1. ^ Molanphy, Chris (August 30, 2024). "Building a Herstory Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
  2. ^ "100 Best Albums of the Eighties: Tracy Chapman, 'Tracy Chapman'". Rolling Stone. November 16, 1989. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  3. ^ Fisher, Marc (March 26, 2011). "In Tunisia, act of one fruit vendor sparks wave of revolution through Arab world". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  4. ^ Kulsum, Caroline; Al Khatib, Noor (June 25, 2011). "Minstrels of the Arab Revolution". Gulf News. Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved March 1, 2017. 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.
  5. ^ Wagner, John (February 8, 2016). "Songs of 'revolution' and others that make Bernie Sanders's playlist". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  6. ^ "Watch Tracy Chapman Sing "Go Vote" in Rare TV Performance on Seth Meyers". Pitchfork. November 3, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  7. ^ Tracy Chapman Makes Rare TV Appearance With Performance of 'Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution' | 11/3/20, November 3, 2020, retrieved February 9, 2024
  8. ^ Watch Late Night with Seth Meyers Clip: Tracy Chapman: Talkin' 'Bout A Revolution - NBC.com, retrieved February 9, 2024
  9. ^ Sisario, Ben; Knight, Heather (February 6, 2024). "Where Has Tracy Chapman Been?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  10. ^ "Tracy Chapman – Talkin' bout a Revolution" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  11. ^ "Tracy Chapman – Talkin' bout a Revolution" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  12. ^ "RPM 100 Singles". RPM. Vol. 49, no. 1. October 22, 1988. p. 6.
  13. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 46. November 12, 1988. p. 18.
  14. ^ "Tracy Chapman – Talkin' bout a Revolution" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  15. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 38, 1988" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  16. ^ "Tracy Chapman – Talkin' bout a Revolution" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  17. ^ "Tracy Chapman – Talkin' bout a Revolution". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  18. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  19. ^ "Tracy Chapman Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  20. ^ "Tracy Chapman Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  21. ^ "Tracy Chapman Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  22. ^ "Tracy Chapman Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  23. ^ "Tracy Chapman Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  24. ^ "Danish single certifications – Tracy Chapman – Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  25. ^ "Italian single certifications – Tracy Chapman – Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved September 16, 2024. Select "2024" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  26. ^ "British single certifications – Tracy Chapman – Talkin' 'Bout a Revolution". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  27. ^ "None".
  28. ^ Revolution Sounds, December 31, 2014, retrieved February 9, 2024
  29. ^ Talking About an Arab Revolution on YouTube
  30. ^ Talkin' 'bout a Revolution | Clarence Bekker | Playing For Change on YouTube
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