“Give Me One Reason” by Tracy Chapman

“Give Me One Reason” is about love; more specifically,  a woman wanting to keep her crumbling relationship together. And throughout the song, Tracy Chapman asks her lover to give her a reason to keep their relationship afloat. The relationship is beyond doubt on the verge of collapse but she does not want it to end so she’s hoping said lover give her a reason to keep it going.

Summary

The long and short of this tune is that it centers on a collapsing romantic union – one which one of the partners isn’t taking seriously. And this behavior is what is making the more serious partner want to walk out of the relationship.

Writing, Production and Release of “Give Me One Reason”

Chapman composed this blues rock song herself. She later collaborated with a producer named Don Gehman to produce it. In 1995, Elektra Records released it as an official single from Chapman’s “New Beginning” album.

Elektra Records later added to Tracy Champan’s 2015 “Greatest Hits” project. Her classic hit “Fast Car” also features on this 2015 project.

Success

Aside reaching number 1 on Canada and Iceland’s official singles charts, it was also a top 5 hit on the Hot 100. It actually reached number 3 on said chart.

Another very remarkable achievement of this Chapman classic was winning a Grammy in the “Best Rock Song” category at the Grammys held in 1997. It beat the following songs to clinch the award:

• Oasis’ “Wonderwall“
• The Wallflowers’ “6th Avenue Heartache”
• John Hiatt’s “Cry Love”
• Dave Matthews Band’s “Too Much”
• Garbage’s “Stupid Girl”

Eric Clapton and Tracy Chapman Collaborate on “Give Me One Reason”

In 1999, another version of this hit featuring Eric Clapton was released. Said version was not only critically acclaimed but also commercially successful.