This was the legendary singer-songwriter’s first major TV performance in five years.
Mey RudeLegendary singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman made a rare national TV appearance on Monday to make a powerful statement about voting. The four time Grammy award winner went on Late Night With Seth Meyers to perform her moving and even-more-relevant-than-ever protest song “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution.”
“Don't you know they're talkin''bout a revolution?” Chapman sang solemnly, but resolutely. “It sounds like a whisper. Poor people gonna rise up and get their share. Poor people gonna rise up and take what's theirs.” The performance sent a strong message of hope and strength, something that is desperately needed this election season.
Chapman hasn’t released new music since 2008, but her voice is just as clear and singular as ever, and her message couldn’t be more relevant. Her music has always commented on social and political issues, and she’s not backing down from that legacy now.
"This is the most important election of our lifetime," Chapman said on the show. "It is imperative that everyone vote to restore our democracy.”
Late Night host Seth Meyers added that he was honored to have Chapman on his show, saying, “she’s living proof you can be a great artist while also speaking out for what you believe in.”
More and more artists and celebrities have been coming forward to stump for Biden and get out the vote, including many who have previously kept their voting choices quiet or usually stay away from the limelight. This appearance marks Chapman’s first major TV performance since 2015 when she sang “Stand By Me” on the final episode of The Late Show With David Letterman.
If the lyrics of the song didn’t make Chapman’s message clear, she ended the perfomance by singing “go vote,” and stepping aside to reveal a sign that also read “vote” behind her.
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