Recording artist Kelly Clarkson has continued to display her undeniable vocal talent by covering Tracy Chapman’s mega-hit Give Me One Reason. Clarkson sang the song live and used her beautiful voice to give this hip and haunting song a new spin in the SiriusXM studio back in 2015.
Tracy Chapman’s Early Struggles
As a young girl, Tracy Chapman realized her love for making music despite a broken family life that included her parents’ divorce and being raised by a single mother while living on welfare, according to Rolling Stone. Further turmoil would be brought into her life with the racial segregation, violence and bullying that she experienced while living in Cleveland, Ohio.
A Love for Music Was Born
Tracy’s mother bought her three-year-old daughter a ukulele after seeing her love and obvious talent for music. At age eight, Tracy began writing her own music. Tracy was further inspired to take up guitar playing after watching the country television show Hee Haw.
A Different Life Path
Despite her love for music, Tracy initially went to Tufts University to pursue her college studies and graduated with a degree in anthropology and African studies. It wasn’t until the father of Brian Koppelman heard Tracy performing on stage and helped her get signed to Elektra Records that she realized that she could have a career in music, according to Rolling Stone.
A Star Emerges
Tracy Chapman came to prominence with her hit Fast Car, which was featured on her multiplatinum debut album Tracy Chapman. She followed up on her success with her 1995 hit Give Me One Reason along with other hits that would cement her status in the music industry. Her second album Crossroads along with her six other albums have achieved great commercial success. Tracy has even earned Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Rock Song for Give Me One Reason.
Other Accolades Earned from Give Me One Reason
In addition to winning a Grammy, Tracy’s song Give Me One Reason is considered by many to be her greatest hit. The song has been ranked as high as number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached number one on the music charts in Canada and Iceland. Give Me One Reason has also brought Tracy her greatest successes in the UK and Australia.
Tracy Chapman has emerged from her humble beginnings to become one of the biggest powerhouses in the music industry. What do you think of Kelly Clarkson’s cover of Give Me One Reason by Tracy Chapman? Let others know what you think by telling them about this post.