Top 97 Quotes & Sayings by Tracy Chapman - Page 2

There's a time and place for everything, and my focus is music. So that's what I prefer to spend most of my time doing, and not talk about making music.

You need to keep something for yourself. As a writer, I feel that even more strongly. I feel like I need to be able to freely observe the world. That's the way I like to move through the world; I don't need to be the focus of attention. If I am, it impairs my ability to write and to do what I do.

My first record was almost not my first record.

I never travelled when I was younger.

I won't get into it any more than to say that there are parts of me in all the songs that I write.

As I started to consider a career in music, I hoped for success, truthfully. I didn't imagine anything that would amass the level of the first record, but I hoped that I would be able to sustain a career.

I always considered trying to make a living playing music. But it was always really clear to me, at the various stages in my life, that it really wasn't a possibility unless some phenomenal thing happened.

When we started making 'Where You Live', I bought a bunch of Polaroid cameras in so that people could record the experience. Some of those pictures are in the CD sleeve.

I was raised in a Baptist tradition, but then I went to an Episcopalian high school, and they were very accepting of people of all faiths.

I could make records at home in a vacuum, but that is not the situation. I'm just taking it one phase at a time.

That's one of the things I like about San Francisco. It's not like anywhere else in the world.

I decided to do whatever I could to make sure the business side of music didn't intrude on the creative part.

It all comes together. It's - that's the way it's always worked for me with songwriting.

We are the spirit, the collective conscience. We create the pain, and suffering, and beauty in this world.

There's a power in words. There's a power in being able to explain and describe and articulate what you know and feel and believe about the world, and about yourself.

Renounce all those material things that you gained by exploiting other human beings.

Why do babies starve /When there's enough food to feed the world /Why when there's so many of us /Are there people still alone

I'll toss my coins in the fountain, Look for clovers in grassy lawns Search for shooting stars in the night Cross my fingers and dream on.

My old man's got a problem, he lives with the bottle.

It's time to start all over/make a new beginning.

I'm not sure if the next song I write is going to be about love or a song about a tree.

I got a plan to get out of here, I've been working at a convenient store.

Who took away the part so essential to the whole Left you a hollow body Skin and bone.

Consume more than you need This is the dream Make you pauper Or make you queen I won't die lonely I'll have it all prearranged A grave that's deep and wide enough For me and all my mountains o'things

So don't be tempted by the shiny apple Don't you eat of a bitter fruit Hunger only for a taste of justice Hunger only for a world of truth 'Cause all that you have is your soul.

Now love's the only thing that's free /We must take it where it's found /Pretty soon it may be costly

I'm never sure if I'll ever write another song, what the song will be about and if what initially sparked the beginning of a song might complete it.

Have faith in humankind a respect for what is earthly and an unfaltering belief in peace and understanding

As a child I spent a lot of time at the library.

You got a fast car But is it fast enough so we can fly away We gotta make a decision We leave tonight or live and die this way.

Love is hate War is Peace No is Yes And we're all free.

I don't want someone to squeeze me, that might take away my life. Just want someone to hold me, and we'll rock through the night.

I've seen and met angels wearing the disguise of ordinary people living ordinary lives.

I really love playing music with other people. It's more fun to be on the road with others. It's kind of lonely out there when you play on your own!

Words don't come easily, like forgive me.

At this point in my life Id like to live as if only love mattered.

This youthful heart can love you and give you what you need, but I'm too old to go chasing you around wasting my precious energy.