Tracy Chapman — For My Lover
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Total ratings: 1671
Length: 3:08
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Two weeks in a Virginia jail
For my lover for my lover
Twenty thousand dollar bail
For my lover for my lover
And everybody thinks
That I'm the fool
But they don't get
Any love from you
The things we won't do for love
I'd climb a mountain if I had to
And risk my life so I could have you
You, you, you...
Everyday I'm psychoanalyzed
For my lover for my lover
They dope me up and I tell them lies
For my lover for my lover
I follow my heart
And leave my head to ponder
Deep in this love
No man can shake
I follow my heart
And leave my mind to wonder
Is this love worth
The sacrifices I make
For my lover for my lover
Twenty thousand dollar bail
For my lover for my lover
And everybody thinks
That I'm the fool
But they don't get
Any love from you
The things we won't do for love
I'd climb a mountain if I had to
And risk my life so I could have you
You, you, you...
Everyday I'm psychoanalyzed
For my lover for my lover
They dope me up and I tell them lies
For my lover for my lover
I follow my heart
And leave my head to ponder
Deep in this love
No man can shake
I follow my heart
And leave my mind to wonder
Is this love worth
The sacrifices I make
Comments (64)add comment
Just so glad to be hearing more Tracy. Excellent stuff.
h8rhater wrote:
Maybe Loving vs. Virginia?
Loving v. Virginia - Wikipedia
The are multiple perspectives to view this history from, including embarrassment over what was once law or optimism or how things have improved. I interpret this song as being about struggles for rights in multiple situations, with the above case being one example.
Maybe Loving vs. Virginia?
Loving v. Virginia - Wikipedia
The are multiple perspectives to view this history from, including embarrassment over what was once law or optimism or how things have improved. I interpret this song as being about struggles for rights in multiple situations, with the above case being one example.
Chongo1959 wrote:
I think you hit the nail on the head.
I think she is a Lesbian, and talking about her lover, which was probably jailable back in the bad old days!!
I think you hit the nail on the head.
Chongo1959 wrote:
And, were the educated message?
I think she is a Lesbian, and talking about her lover, which was probably jailable back in the bad old days!!
And, were the educated message?
the more we disliked her in those young ones days, the more I understand her today in her art.
I think she is a Lesbian, and talking about her lover, which was probably jailable back in the bad old days!!
flatop wrote:
..I second that!
Great song! Now we just need some Ryan Adams on this station!
..I second that!
Great song! Now we just need some Ryan Adams on this station!
dmcanany wrote:
My guess is it's about sodomy laws in the south. Thank "God" we have moved forward on some fronts.
pcicatar wrote:
That's actually miscegenation. Sodomy is sex w/o procreation, whereas miscegenation is "interbreeding of people between different racial types." I am thankful that many have moved past this belief, but as a New Englander/Pacific Northwestern transplant in the South, I can assure you it hasn't moved far. :(
No not far at all....I think this distance between my brother and his only daughter is her choice in some of her boyfriends... You'd think all that would have gone away after all this time, but no. We were raised in PA, but when he moved to VA and then NC, my brother embodied all that is the South, including the racism. Sad really.
A great song from a great album full of great songs. 9.
dmcanany wrote:
My guess is it's about sodomy laws in the south. Thank "God" we have moved forward on some fronts.
That's actually miscegenation. Sodomy is sex w/o procreation, whereas miscegenation is "interbreeding of people between different racial types." I am thankful that many have moved past this belief, but as a New Englander/Pacific Northwestern transplant in the South, I can assure you it hasn't moved far. :(
My guess is it's about sodomy laws in the south. Thank "God" we have moved forward on some fronts.
That's actually miscegenation. Sodomy is sex w/o procreation, whereas miscegenation is "interbreeding of people between different racial types." I am thankful that many have moved past this belief, but as a New Englander/Pacific Northwestern transplant in the South, I can assure you it hasn't moved far. :(
fredriley wrote:
My guess is it's about sodomy laws in the south. Thank "God" we have moved forward on some fronts.
"Two weeks in a Virgina jail for my lover" - sounds like a story being told. Anyone know what the lyrics refer to? Lovely song - 7 from the Nottingham jury.
My guess is it's about sodomy laws in the south. Thank "God" we have moved forward on some fronts.
h8rhater wrote:
Maybe Loving vs. Virginia?
Most women in prison are there because they did something illegal with their male partner: drug charges, prostitution, robbery. Read more here:
https://www.aclu.org/other/words-prison-did-you-know
It's not like Orange Is the New Black.
Maybe Loving vs. Virginia?
Most women in prison are there because they did something illegal with their male partner: drug charges, prostitution, robbery. Read more here:
https://www.aclu.org/other/words-prison-did-you-know
It's not like Orange Is the New Black.
fredriley wrote:
Maybe Loving vs. Virginia?
"Two weeks in a Virgina jail for my lover" - sounds like a story being told. Anyone know what the lyrics refer to? Lovely song - 7 from the Nottingham jury.
Maybe Loving vs. Virginia?
be4con wrote:
Agreed. Anything by Tracy Chapman.
I can't do anything other than vote 10 for this. This was one of the strongest debut albums of the 80s, so many fantastic songs from an artist with real talent. Love her lyrics, love her music, love her voice, love her politics.
Love it.
Love it.
A true artist for all time!!
I love her. She was a breath of fresh air years ago when she first came to my attention, and she has a beautiful, raw and genuine voice and art.
This song makes me smile :)
Steely_D wrote:
Please substitute Joan Armatrading.
I doubt even Joan could do a better job than what Tracy and her band did here. Actually, in some ways it sounds like Joan.
Please substitute Joan Armatrading.
I doubt even Joan could do a better job than what Tracy and her band did here. Actually, in some ways it sounds like Joan.
Girl, you have serious issues, thats for sure! 
quiet a surprise that this lady, that I know as a sort-of-mainstream singer, brings that kind of lyrics - wow.
I just started using the pop-up player on the RP website. I had been using Winamp. This was the first time I got to use the PSD button on a Tracy Chapman song. It felt good. Except now it's playing Yousou N'Dour with Phil Collins. Time to hit the button again.
jberko wrote:
Please substitute Joan Armatrading.
This artist is way over rated.
Please substitute Joan Armatrading.
10
Nadine wrote:
ditto.
I also agree.
ditto.
I also agree.
neegij wrote:
Nnni ! :D
Verschrikkelijk wanne herrie!
Nnni ! :D
Her first album is a jewel.
jberko wrote:
This artist is way over rated.
mrmojorisin wrote:
ditto.
Haven't liked her songs much after this album.... this album was outstanding...
ditto.
tkosh wrote:
Says who?
That wasn't very nice of me!
Says who?
That wasn't very nice of me!
jberko wrote:
Says who?
This artist is way over rated.
Says who?
Hate the song. Hate her voice. So not a lot to recommend here.
This artist is way over rated.
thewiseking wrote:
hey man this is like so deep.
i was like sitting in the rathskeller listening, and it was like so intense.
i discussed it with like, my english teacher, who is like so cool, and he like really likes tracy chapman too.
i was like sitting in the rathskeller listening, and it was like so intense.
i discussed it with like, my english teacher, who is like so cool, and he like really likes tracy chapman too.
| biomedvgh (Victoria, BC) |
|
And I'll do it again...
Ugh!
...
I like this song - it's interesting that two of the most outspoken negative-posters in all of RP like it as well.
I really love/hate Tracy Chapman. She's too blunt. Too honest. Too true. Too confrontational.
Her music/lyrics could change the current regime. She does not lie down. She does not go quietly. (And wouldn't "I Will Not Lie Down" by Don Henley be perfect here somewhere?)
Love: Tracy's lyrics, and her above-mentioned blunt/true/honest/confrontational approach.
Hate: Lame music - it needs more punch.
Still, she makes me hurt, think, ponder, take action, write....
Her music/lyrics could change the current regime. She does not lie down. She does not go quietly. (And wouldn't "I Will Not Lie Down" by Don Henley be perfect here somewhere?)
Love: Tracy's lyrics, and her above-mentioned blunt/true/honest/confrontational approach.
Hate: Lame music - it needs more punch.
Still, she makes me hurt, think, ponder, take action, write....
Love this song.
jagdriver wrote:
Ugh is right!
He done did that twice!
Ugh is right!
He done did that twice!
MOVING
jagdriver wrote:
Ugh is right!
Ugh!
Ugh is right!
fredriley wrote:
Interracial relationships were against the law in some states.
"Two weeks in a Virgina jail for my lover" - sounds like a story being told. Anyone know what the lyrics refer to? Lovely song - 7 from the Nottingham jury.
Interracial relationships were against the law in some states.
fredriley wrote:
We're not sure, but its always interesting (for me) to follow the link to 'Song Info - (Song Meanings)' where some interesting discussions ensue, to wit:
"Maybe it's just me, but the use of the word "lover" makes me wonder if this is about a gay couple. I suppose that could just be my connotation of the word. I think it's somewhat sophisticated, and I don't imagine the narrator of the song being very sophisticated. Also, where I come from "lover" is/was often the term of choice to describe a gay person's special friend."
"A relationship that nobody approves of...but to her it doesn't matter what anybody thinks because she'd do anything for the one she loves
"I'd climb a mountain if I had to
And risk my life so I could have you""
And followed by John Hiatt's 'Crossing Muddy Waters' - well let's let the songs speak for themselves, shall we?
Bill's on a roll (again)!
"Two weeks in a Virgina jail for my lover" - sounds like a story being told. Anyone know what the lyrics refer to? Lovely song - 7 from the Nottingham jury.
We're not sure, but its always interesting (for me) to follow the link to 'Song Info - (Song Meanings)' where some interesting discussions ensue, to wit:
"Maybe it's just me, but the use of the word "lover" makes me wonder if this is about a gay couple. I suppose that could just be my connotation of the word. I think it's somewhat sophisticated, and I don't imagine the narrator of the song being very sophisticated. Also, where I come from "lover" is/was often the term of choice to describe a gay person's special friend."
"A relationship that nobody approves of...but to her it doesn't matter what anybody thinks because she'd do anything for the one she loves
"I'd climb a mountain if I had to
And risk my life so I could have you""
And followed by John Hiatt's 'Crossing Muddy Waters' - well let's let the songs speak for themselves, shall we?
Bill's on a roll (again)!
"Two weeks in a Virgina jail for my lover" - sounds like a story being told. Anyone know what the lyrics refer to? Lovely song - 7 from the Nottingham jury.
Verschrikkelijk wanne herrie!
Opening chords to Neil Young's "Heart of Gold." Think he should sue her? 
tracy IS a true patriot, she challenges a lot of the establishment thinking. I really like her!
Jayhawk wrote:
This is the only TC album that you need to buy. All the others are the same as this one and the same as each other. I really like this one. But I don't need it in more than one semi-variation.
Really?! OK! I'll go out and buy it right now!! Thanks Jayhwak!!
mrmojorisin wrote:
Haven't liked her songs much after this album.... this album was outstanding...
I agree....and this is definitely my favorite track on this album.
hey man this is like so deep.
i was like sitting in the rathskeller listening, and it was like so intense.
i discussed it with like, my english teacher, who is like so cool, and he like really likes tracy chapman too.
diane wrote:
I like Tracy's voice. I like most of her songs. What doesn't work for me is that it's a deal of "heard one, heard 'em all". She never varies. She sounds exactly the same, song after song. It's partly because her voice is so unusual, but what else it may be, I don't know. I do know I've grown tired of the same sound, the same delivery, the same energy output, year after year.
I agree, and having her played every day on RP doesn't help much either!
This is the only TC album that you need to buy. All the others are the same as this one and the same as each other. I really like this one. But I don't need it in more than one semi-variation.
Ugh!
I like Tracy's voice. I like most of her songs. What doesn't work for me is that it's a deal of "heard one, heard 'em all". She never varies. She sounds exactly the same, song after song. It's partly because her voice is so unusual, but what else it may be, I don't know. I do know I've grown tired of the same sound, the same delivery, the same energy output, year after year.
Hey, Now that you mention it, I haven't heard any Joan Armatrading on RP.
tg3k wrote:
Never could wrap my tastes around Tracy's voice. There's something in it that simply makes me not want to like it. She might be singing the most meaningful lyrics every written, but I'd never know it, since I can't get past the voice.
Yeah, there's a subtle, goat-like tone to her voice...can't really take it.
It's a shame, too, cause her music is pretty nice.
tg3k wrote:
Never could wrap my tastes around Tracy's voice. There's something in it that simply makes me not want to like it. She might be singing the most meaningful lyrics every written, but I'd never know it, since I can't get past the voice.
Yeah... strange. I was getting used to Joan Armatrading years ago and felt the same way. Great lyrics, music fine... just can't grab the vocal style.
Haven't liked her songs much after this album.... this album was outstanding...
Never could wrap my tastes around Tracy's voice. There's something in it that simply makes me not want to like it. She might be singing the most meaningful lyrics every written, but I'd never know it, since I can't get past the voice.
Odd that this is new to the playlist.
Still a potent song.
first time ??