Maps of Music

Matters of the Heart (1992)

Where the lyrics of Matters of the Heart take you, and where it was really made.

Chapman's third album was the first of her records not produced or co-produced by David Kershenbaum.

Key places

Recorded at A&M Studios (1992)

Recording site A&M Recording Studios — The album was recorded in Hollywood at A&M Studios and Ocean Way Recording between 1991 and 1992. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at The Complex (1992)

Recording site The Complex — The album was partly recorded in Los Angeles at The Complex between 1991 and 1992. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at The Hit Factory (1992)

Recording site The Hit Factory — The album was partly recorded in New York at The Hit Factory between 1991 and 1992. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at Ocean Way Recording (1992)

Recording site Ocean Way Recording — The album was partly recorded in Hollywood at Ocean Way Recording between 1991 and 1992. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Matters of the Heart is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman
• Released April 28, 1992 by Elektra Records
• Ten tracks, all written by Tracy Chapman
• Track list: Bang Bang Bang (4:21), So (3:26), I Used to Be a Sailor (3:56), The Love That You Had (4:11), Woman's Work (2:01), If These Are the Things (4:40), Short Supply (4:23), Dreaming on a World (5:03), Open Arms (4:34), and the title track Matters of the Heart (6:59)
• Short Supply carries the subtitle Jigten; For Richmond
• The title track is the longest song on the record at 6:59
• Woman's Work is the shortest at 2:01
• First Chapman album not produced or co-produced by David Kershenbaum

Background

• The record marked a notable switch in sound from Chapman's earlier works
• Kershenbaum had produced or co-produced her earlier albums
• Bang Bang Bang reached 26th place on the French top 50
• The song appears on Chapman's Best-of albums

Recording

• Recorded between 1991 and 1992 in three cities
• New York: The Hit Factory
• Los Angeles: The Complex
• Hollywood: A&M Studios and Ocean Way Recording
• Mixed at The Record Plant
• Mastered by Bob Ludwig
• French drummer Manu Katché plays on the album

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Early life

• Born March 30, 1964 in Cleveland; raised by her mother, who bought her a ukulele at age three.
• Began playing guitar and writing songs at age eight.
• Attended an Episcopal high school through the A Better Chance program, graduated from Wooster School in Connecticut.
• Studied anthropology at Tufts University, busking in Harvard Square and on MBTA Red Line platforms while a student.

Career

• Signed to Elektra Records in 1987 after Charles Koppelman of SBK Publishing signed her in 1986.
• Debut album Tracy Chapman (1988) became a commercial success, certified 6× platinum by the RIAA and winning three Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist.
• "Fast Car" rose after her performance at the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute concert at Wembley Stadium in June 1988.
• Later albums include Crossroads (1989), Matters of the Heart (1992), New Beginning (1995), Telling Stories (2000), Let It Rain (2002), Where You Live (2005) and Our Bright Future (2008).
• Greatest Hits, a compilation she curated, was released in 2015.
• In 2023, Luke Combs' cover of "Fast Car" made her the first Black woman to score a country number one with a solo composition and the first Black songwriter to win the CMA Song of the Year.

Activism

• Politically and socially active, with a particular interest in human rights; performed for Amnesty International and at charity events such as Make Poverty History and amfAR.
• Received the South African Order of the Companions of O. R. Tambo in Silver in 2023.

Reception

Reappraisal

• AllMusic labeled the album less bold and angry than Chapman's preceding record
• The album's sound marked a notable switch from her earlier works
• The shift in sound is the main point noted about the record's place in her catalogue

Records

• US Billboard 200: peaked at number 53
• France: reached number 5 on the best-selling albums chart
• Bang Bang Bang reached 26th place on the French top 50
• The album's position on the French sales chart is one of its clearest chart results
• Bang Bang Bang appears on Chapman's Best-of albums
• Two French chart results are recorded: the album's sales placement and the single's placement on the top 50

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Recorded at three studios across New York and Los Angeles, with The Hit Factory, The Complex, A&M Studios and Ocean Way Recording credited
• French drummer Manu Katché plays on the album
• Discogs credits Bob Ludwig with mastering
• Short Supply carries the subtitle Jigten; For Richmond
• This was the first Chapman album not produced or co-produced by David Kershenbaum

Sources: fr.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

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