My older sister encouraged me from early on and bought me one of the first guitars I had. She listened to all of the crappy songs that I wrote when I was 8 years old and encouraged me to keep…

Quote by Tracy Chapman

Topics: Tracy Chapman Quotes

The songs are not necessarily autobiographical. A lot of songs are a combination of influences....

The songs are not necessarily autobiographical. A lot of songs are a combination of influences....

At this point in my life I'd like to live as if only love mattered.

At this point in my life I'd like to live as if only love mattered.

I learn all these things about the record talking about it after it's finished.

I learn all these things about the record talking about it after it's finished.

I end up writing about all kinds of things. I never make an attempt to...

I end up writing about all kinds of things. I never make an attempt to...

You have to pay attention to the moment and make it the best it can...

You have to pay attention to the moment and make it the best it can...

Some things remain fragments, just the lyrics and melodies or a line or two or...

Some things remain fragments, just the lyrics and melodies or a line or two or...

I dressed up as a veterinarian for a Halloween costume party. I had the lab...

I dressed up as a veterinarian for a Halloween costume party. I had the lab...

We all must live our lives always feeling, always thinking the moment has arrived.

We all must live our lives always feeling, always thinking the moment has arrived.

I'm a hopeful cynic.

I'm a hopeful cynic.

After it's finished, sometimes I can trace a path that goes back to the possible...

After it's finished, sometimes I can trace a path that goes back to the possible...

I often write either really early in the morning, or really late at night.

I often write either really early in the morning, or really late at night.

When you feel like you've had a good show, you go backstage and you talk...

When you feel like you've had a good show, you go backstage and you talk...

If you wait, I will come for you...remembering your touch, your kiss, your warm embrace....

If you wait, I will come for you...remembering your touch, your kiss, your warm embrace....

People's real hopes and dreams can be distorted and misdirected and packaged until you're not...

People's real hopes and dreams can be distorted and misdirected and packaged until you're not...

Everyone is looking for connections between the songs. I don't usually approach a record as...

Everyone is looking for connections between the songs. I don't usually approach a record as...

We have more media than ever and more technology in our lives. It's supposed to...

We have more media than ever and more technology in our lives. It's supposed to...

With other people, you're always swapping music. Somebody is always listening to something you've never...

With other people, you're always swapping music. Somebody is always listening to something you've never...

I see some recurring themes: things that feel threaded together, some symbolic references, and songs...

I see some recurring themes: things that feel threaded together, some symbolic references, and songs...

Songwriting is a very mysterious process. It feels like creating something from nothing. It's something...

Songwriting is a very mysterious process. It feels like creating something from nothing. It's something...

I may be revered or defamed and decried; But I tried to live my life...

I may be revered or defamed and decried; But I tried to live my life...