Today is the 32-year anniversary of Tracy Chapman’s self-titled debut album, which spawned songs that still resonate today like “Fast Car” and the unofficial Bernie Sanders anthem “Talkin' ‘bout a Revolution.” Although the album was a huge success, it almost never came out because Chapman had always figured no major label would ever be interested in her socially conscious music. However, that all changed thanks to Brian Koppelman—the co-creator, showrunner, and executive producer of Showtime’s Billions.
Back in 1987, both Chapman and Koppelman attended Tufts University. Koppelman heard there was a great singer on campus. When he went to check her out, he was blown away by her performance. According to Rolling Stone, Koppelman approached Chapman and said, “I don’t normally do this, but I think my father could help you a lot.”
His father was Charles Koppelman, then co-owner of SBK Publishing, an independent song publisher. But Chapman didn’t take Koppelman seriously. He recalled, “Tracy genuinely was not interested in money.” He kept attending her shows to talk to her, but she refused to cut a demo for him.
However, he discovered that she had already made a demo for the Tufts radio station, WMFO, to secure the copyright on her original songs. Koppelman had a friend distract the DJ at the station and stole the demo of Chapman’s “Talkin' ‘bout a Revolution.” When he sent the demo to his dad, Charles Koppelman immediately flew to the campus to sign her.
Although Charles Koppelman offered her a contract, it still took another six months for her to agree to sign it—partly because she was still finishing college. After signing to SBK Publishing, she produced a full demo that got her signed to Elektra Records, where she released her debut album, Tracy Chapman.
“I have to say that I never thought I would get a contract with a major record label,” said Chapman, to Rolling Stone. “All the time since I was a kid listening to records and the radio, I didn’t think there was any indication that record people would find the kind of music that I did marketable. Especially when I was singing songs like ‘Talkin’ bout a Revolution’ during the Seventies—you know, fit right in with the disco era. I didn’t see a place for me there.”
She recorded her entire album in eight weeks, most of the songs were from her demo except for “Fast Car.” The album became a huge critical and commercial success, selling over six million copies.
As for Brian Koppelman, he would go on to become A&R at several labels (including Elektra) but is better known for writing movies likes Rounders and Ocean’s Thirteen and producing movies like The Illusionist. He also directed the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, This Is What They Want. Of course, he also co-created Showtime’s Billions.
Read all the lyrics to Tracy Chapman’s self-titled debut album on Genius now.
