Tracy Chapman’s “Talkin’Bout A Revolution” was featured on today’s episode of the “Apple Music Today” podcast.
Listen to the episode dedicated to “Talkin’Bout A Revolution”
Click on this link or listen to it below:
Transcript of the episode
Every song has a story. Today it’s “Talkin’ Bout A Revolution” by Tracy Chapman because 34 years ago, on April 16, 1990, she helped celebrate Nelson Mandela’s freedom and boost the fight against apartheid. It was a concert at London’s Wembley Stadium broadcast to 60 countries, a big moment world history and a full circle moment for Tracy.
Two years before, in 1988, she played another concert for the incarcerated civil rights leader who at the time had been in prison for over two decades. Stevie Wonder was set to perform but he had an issue with his equipment. So Tracy who was a relatively unknown played his slot. She sang “Talkin’Bout A Revolution” to a huge crowd and her debut album sold two million copies two weeks later.
In 1990 Tracy played Wembley to celebrate the South African activist again, except this time she was a headline and he was free. He gave a powerful speech and negotiations to end apartheid began weeks later
What is Apple Music Today’s podcast?
Apple Music Today is Apple’s daily series that highlights one song from their catalog of over 100 million and digs into the story behind it. From massive hits to sleeper cuts to the newest surprise drop, Apple Music hosts dive in across genres and decades to unpack untold stories about the music that soundtracks our lives, 365 days a year.
