March 30 2014 was all American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman‰’s 50th birthday. Tracy Chapman‰’s bold voice is known to be one of the most gender-ambiguously beautiful voices the industry has ever encountered. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, she learned to play the ukelele at age three and picked up her trademark guitar soon after at the age of eight. After being accepted to “A Better Chance,‰” a program that funded minority students‰’ private school tuitions, she moved to Connecticut where she attended the Wooster School and later attended Tufts University to student anthropology and African Studies. During her time at Tufts, Tracy Chapman began busking in coffee shops and parks in Cambridge, Massachusetts and in 1987 signed with Elektra Records.

Even if you hadn‰’t heard of Tracy Chapman until you read this article, I‰’m sure your ears are familiar with the riff of this song. While her roots remained in folk, during the latter half of her career, her music was heavily influenced by the jazz and rock movements of the 90s. “Give Me One Reason” was a glorious result of this shift. It was awarded a Grammy for Best Rock Song in 1997 and peaked Number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 making it Tracy Chapman‰’s most successful single to date.

“Give Me One Reason” – Tracy Chapman

This is my and everyone else‰’s favorite Tracy Chapman tune. She has an unchanging hopeful attitude in all of her music which ignites an abiding sense of happy emptiness. The concept is obviously too complex to grasp in words so take a listen at what I think is one of the best set of lyrics ever written. I am, however, warning you ahead of time that this song will make you want to call your mom and tell her you miss home.

“Fast Car” – Tracy Chapman