Tracy Chapman - "Baby Can I Hold You?"

[Pet Shop Boy]

I'm consistently amazed that this was never a hit, everybody seems to know it and it's absolutely gorgeous. Probably my favourite Tracy Chapman song in fact.

[mst3k]

I love this song.

It hit #48 on the Hot 100 in late '88.

[reception]

I didn't like it. Did this chart at AC?

[billcs]

It was a good follow up to "Fast Car", unfortunately that hit had huge legs at radio and buried it.

[Deuce]

mandyfanuk said:

I'm consistently amazed that this was never a hit, everybody seems to know it and it's absolutely gorgeous. Probably my favourite Tracy Chapman song in fact.

If it's any consolation, while this hit #94 in the UK, it was a #1 smash hit in South America, where "Fast Car" went nowhere.

[SPaCeMaN SPiFF]

in a way... i think it was a blessing it didn't become a big hit back then. or else radio stations would've played it 'til we all puked. LOL.

look at what they did to sinnead's remake of prince's "nothing compares 2 u"... now i can't even stand that song.

[Wardly]

dvdnewbie said:

in a way... i think it was a blessing it didn't become a big hit back then. or else radio stations would've played it 'til we all puked. LOL.

look at what they did to sinnead's remake of prince's "nothing compares 2 u"... now i can't even stand that song.

It's a remake of The Family, actually! Prince finally covered it, in concert, after Sinead's version.

[Hervard]

dvdnewbie said:

in a way... i think it was a blessing it didn't become a big hit back then. or else radio stations would've played it 'til we all puked. LOL.

You have a point there. It might have become a popular Long Distance Dedication request and today, would be played on Delilah every single night. Would probably make frequent appearances on JCMF's "AC Chart Sans Recurrent Rules", like "Every Breath You Take".

[SPaCeMaN SPiFF]

casino said:

dvdnewbie said:

in a way... i think it was a blessing it didn't become a big hit back then. or else radio stations would've played it 'til we all puked. LOL.

look at what they did to sinnead's remake of prince's "nothing compares 2 u"... now i can't even stand that song.

It's a remake of The Family, actually!        Prince finally covered it, in concert, after Sinead's version.   

but he wrote the song right? or didn't he?... that's what i meant.

e.g. leann rimes singing dianne warren's "how do i live without you?"...

[gonecountry]

Can't believe no one has commented on this for over 12 years. This, IMO, is one of the most lush songs by an 80's female artist - along w/ Til Tuesday "Coming Up Close" and Kate Bush "This Woman's Work". Great lyrics

Third single from Tracy Chapman's debut album. Went to #48 on the Top 100. Underrated gem, IMO.

Neil Diamond recorded a version of this as have other artists.

[gonecountry]

link - Tracy Chapman won her copyright infringement suit over Nicki Minaj, who will pay the singer-songwriter $450,000 (1/9/2021_

Glad to see that Nicki Minaj made a contribution to Tracy's bank account. Sounds like Tracy was timely and very consistent in saying NO to having her work sampled. This song is a classic. Never grows old.

[Dreams]

This might be my favorite by Tracy Chapman. It's one of the most sincere, tender love songs I've ever heard.

[Ernesto]

I love this gorgeous and heartfelt record about the lack of effective communication in a relationship. "Baby Can I Hold You" peaked at No.48 on the Hot 100. It was quite disappointing that Tracy Chapman's follow-up singles to "Fast Car" didn't fare better. "Takin''Bout a Revolution" peaked at an even lower No.75.

British boyband Boyzone remade "Baby Can I Hold You" in 1997 and, unfortunately, turned it into a generic ballad. It became a massive hit for them in the U.K. and Ireland reaching No.2. in their respective charts.